January 13, 2010

JDSU Adds Triple-Play Test

JDSU has announced a triple-play service quality test suite for the HST-3000 Handheld Services Tester and T-BERD/MTS-4000 Multiple Services Test Platform. Using the JDSU Class of Service (CoS) test suite software option, field technicians can simulate real-world triple-play service use at the customer site.

Traditionally, triple-play service testing involves separate, isolated actions – performing data tests, making VoIP calls, or checking IPTV channels. Today's challenge is that triple-play services are generally not used serially, particularly in the home:  one person may be watching TV while another person is downloading a large file and yet another person is talking over the VoIP line – at the same time. Each application has its own specific Quality-of-Service requirements and all have varying bandwidth demands, and competing demands may affect the quality of individual services. Testing individual applications may not reveal problems seen when mixed application traffic flows are present.

The JDSU CoS test suite enables the simultaneous testing of multiple services running over multiple VLANs at the same time. During the test, technicians are able to view all of the services in use but also a graphical depiction of bandwidth across all of them. This helps the technician identify and resolve environments where one service may be impacting the performance of another.