Spirent Communications Announces Core Network Monitoring and Analysis for IP Networks

Business Wire, Jan 29, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2001

Spirent Communications, the world leader in performance analysis solutions, introduces Layer 3 IP support to its SLAM(TM) (Service Level Agreement Monitor) system, a high-performance monitoring and analysis probe for carrier-class network management and service assurance.

As today's carrier networks grow larger and more complex, it is important that service providers maintain the guaranteed performance parameters of their networks. To effectively measure service levels and guarantee contracts made to customers, Spirent Communications introduces SLAM IP to monitor the performance of an IP-based network to verify service level agreements.

SLAM IP is an active monitoring system that places the Adtech AX/4000 Broadband Test System at a customer Point of Presence (POP). The AX/4000 serves as a probe that injects traffic test packets into a network. When the test packets are received, one-way delay, round-trip delay and other SLA parameters are measured and logged to determine whether network conditions affected performance. SLAM monitors Layer 2 traffic sources such as ATM and Frame Relay in addition to Layer 3 IP traffic sources.

"The Adtech AX/4000 supports IP, ATM, Frame Relay, SONET, and Layer 1 interfaces," said Alan Sguigna, vice president of marketing for Adtech. "Quality of Service analysis has always been an Adtech strength and we are extending these capabilities for online monitoring and service assurance."

Adtech's SLAM provides a range of testing functions from simple performance monitoring to network service provisioning, Service Level Agreement (SLA) verification, end-to-end QoS analysis, one-way and round-trip latency measurement, troubleshooting, traffic policing, and statistics gathering.

With SLAM permanently installed, statistics gathering, analysis, and corresponding tests can be automated and repeated on an ongoing basis. Data is gathered around the clock and reported regularly to a centralized server with a high degree of precision and timeliness. These reports can even be posted to a secure Web portal allowing customers and test engineers to check network performance 24/7 anywhere in the world. With automated updates, the Web site can show information in real-time.

"Introduction of IP support on our SLAM product allows Next-Generation Service Providers unparalleled management control of their networks," Sguigna said. "This will benefit both Carrier and End User alike."

There will be a live demonstration of SLAM IP at Comnet 2001 at Spirent Communications Booth No. 1238.

Availability

Spirent's SLAM ATM system is available now.

Spirent's SLAM IP system is available Q1'01.

Spirent's SLAM Frame Relay is currently scheduled for a Q2'01 release.

About Spirent Communications

Spirent Communications is the world leader in performance analysis solutions. The company designs and manufactures Abacus, Adtech, DLS, GSS, Hekimian, Metrohm, SmartBits, Net-HOPPER, and TAS products to provide customers with a full-breadth of comprehensive and integrated performance analysis solutions. Spirent Communications' solutions accelerate development and minimize the risk of deployment of new communications technologies and services.

Spirent Communications' award winning hardware and software applications are used by more than 2,500 of the world's leading network and terminal equipment manufacturers, network service providers, corporate enterprises and test laboratories to verify and measure the performance and services of networks and communications devices.

For more information on Spirent Communications or its products, visit the Web site at www.spirentcom.com or call 800/927-2660.