October 18, 2011

Ixia Makes Cellular Offload Testing Possible

Historically, Wi-Fi operators have optimized for network coverage, rather than capacity and service quality. In modern offload networks, however, service providers are using Wi-Fi networks as an extension of their 3G/4G networks. Cellular offload demands that the Wi-Fi network deliver a satisfactory experience to many concurrent users in high-density, high-demand locations. In this environment, the Wi-Fi access network becomes a critical infrastructure element for the cellular network, and unsatisfactory user experiences on Wi-Fi can result in the loss of high-margin smartphone customers.

Ixia, which does converged network testing, announced a new testing methodology for evaluating Wi-Fi cellular offload. Its IxVeriWave validates true Wi-Fi service capacity and quality, rather than simply checking network availability. By expanding beyond traditional site surveys, operators can now gauge and fine-tune Wi-Fi networks to deliver a higher quality of experience (QoE) for end users.

IxVeriWave is designed to test wireless LAN networks using a client-centric model. This approach delivers repeatable, large-scale, real-world test scenarios. By emulating large numbers of clients, traffic mixes, and Wi-Fi-connected devices rather than rolling hundreds of devices on carts, IxVeriWave's functional and performance analysis system reduces test cycles from months to days. As a result, IxVeriWave offers efficiency gains along with the capability to identify problems early in development and QA cycles.



In other news, Ixia  has completed a thorough evaluation of the new 802.11n Wi-Fi network for Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), a facility that encompasses over 1 million square feet. Ixia worked with DWTC to perform multiple pre-deployment assessments that validated traffic handling and coverage capabilities using its IxNetwork and IxLoad testing applications along with the new IxVeriWave.