Ixia Announces Products to Test IEEE MACSec Link Security for Carriers and Data Centers

Business Wire, Dec 5, 2007

Ixia is First to Market with Line Rate10GbE MACSec Test Solution

CALABASAS, Calif. -- Ixia (NASDAQ:XXIA), a leading, global provider of IP performance test systems, announces a new test interface module for MACSec link security, solidifying its commitment to provide test solutions for this latest security initiative -- MACSec. MACSec, IEEE 802.1ae, which became an IEEE standard in June 2006, specifies how encryption is used to secure the links between major carrier and data center network devices. MACSec allows carriers and data center managers to offer their customers high levels of security for their data. Ixia's 10GbE MACSec Load Module allows chip vendors and NEMs to completely test their designs prior to integration and deployment.

"Testing the performance of network security devices is essential to ensure that the infrastructure will be able to meet both capacity and security requirements under a variety of external and internal loads," said John Burke, principal research analyst at Nemertes Research. "Indeed, the performance of a security device can determine how secure the device is: many exploits work only when the security appliance is subjected to extreme loads, leading to the exposure of a bug or inherent capacity limit. Proper testing can reveal those limits prior to release or deployment and allow for remediation."

MACSec protects high-speed links from a number of security risks, including impersonation, confidentiality and data modification. MACSec operates by performing link layer encryption for each hop through a network. It works within carrier core networks and data centers, where 10Gbps Ethernet links are fast becoming the norm. Due to these speed requirements, vendors are developing chips specifically designed to handle MACSec encryption/decryption.

Based on its industry-leading 10Gbps Ethernet test interfaces, Ixia's 10GbE MACSec Load Module can be used in any of its chassis. The new module offers line rate, link layer encryption using AES-GCM encryption (Advanced Encryption Standard - Galois Counter Mode), as specified in RFC 4106, in addition to the standard features available with the 10GbE family of products.

"Network security, long a priority for enterprises, SOHOs and individuals, has now become a major focus for carriers and data centers," said Atul Bhatnager, president and COO of Ixia. "MACSec is a ground-breaking security standard. Ixia is once again demonstrating its market leadership by offering the first solution for testing MACSec chips and devices, enabling our customers to deliver more secure products and services to market."

Ixia's IxExplorer test application and Tcl API provide complete access to all encryption parameters used to encode/decode MACSec encrypted traffic. Encryption and decryption works in conjunction with Ixia's patented and proven stream generation hardware to provide line rate 10Gbps operation. The power and flexibility of this hardware/software combination allows vendors to be certain that their chip and device designs and network devices conform to standards and perform at the required levels -- reducing their time to market.

With MACSec now ratified, the IEEE is turning its attention to an allied standard IEEE 802.1af, also known as KEYSec. KEYSec addresses how MACSec endpoints exchange the encryption keys that they require, and is a key component of a complete link layer security ecosystem. Ixia is closely following the KEYSec working group and stands ready to bring to market first products that test the related protocols.

About Ixia

Ixia is a leading provider of performance test systems for IP-based infrastructure and services. Ixia's test systems are used by network and telephony equipment manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers, service providers, governments and enterprises to validate the functionality and reliability of complex IP networks, devices, and applications. Ixia's triple play test systems address the growing need to test voice, video, and data services and network capability under real-world conditions.

For more information, contact Ixia at 26601 W. Agoura Road, Calabasas, CA 91302; (818) 871-1800, Fax: (818) 871-1805; Email: info@ixiacom.com or visit our Web Site at http://www.ixiacom.com.

Ixia and the Ixia four petal logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Ixia. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This material is for informational purposes only and subject to change without notice. It describes Ixia's present plans to develop and make available to its customers certain products, features and functionality. Ixia is only obligated to provide those deliverables specifically included in a written agreement between Ixia and the customer.