Ixia Tests Energy Efficiency in Independent Lab Test

Business Wire, Oct 1, 2008

Broadband-Testing Labs Validates Power Consumption of D-Link Switch with Ixia's IxGreen Solution

CALABASAS, Calif. -- Ixia (NASDAQ: XXIA), a leading, global provider of IP performance test systems, today announced its industry-leading IxGreen[TM] Proof-of-Concept testing solution was used by Andorra-based Broadband-Testing Labs to determine the energy efficiency of layer 2, IP network switches from D-Link.

The energy-efficiency tests performed by Broadband-Testing Labs involved D-Link's line of Enterprise-level 24-port, X-Stack DGT-3627, DGT-3426 Layer 2/3 Gigabit Ethernet switches and the "Web Smart" 24-port, layer-2 DGT-1224T Gigabit Ethernet switch from D-Link's "Green Ethernet" range. Testing was conducted at Ixia's test labs in Marlow, U.K.

"In all three cases we were very impressed with the low levels of power consumed, which were significantly below published class averages," said Steve Broadhead, founder and CEO of Broadband-Testing Labs. "Using Ixia's IxGreen solution, we were able to measure power consumption with a wide range of different loads - from zero to wire speed across all ports - and with different traffic profiles. In this way we were able to generate a truly real-world set of meaningful power consumption figures."

The maximum power consumption was 50.35 watts, recorded with traffic running into the DGT-3627 and through the 10Gbps uplink into the DGT-3426 - essentially an absolute maximum load. Meantime, the "green" DGT-1224T, consuming a mere 9.3 watts in 10/100 idle mode, maxed out at 23.65 watts when fully loaded at Gigabit line speed.

Broadhead concluded: "This means that per gigabit of traffic, the switch consumed just 0.4 watts. The maximum power consumption recorded was a truly excellent figure for a 24-port gigabit switch running line speed with a 10Gbps uplink. The 'green' switches lived up to their billing. We were also indebted to Ixia for the use of its integrated traffic generator and power measurement tool in Ixia's state-of-the-art, UK-based test facility," he said. "Ixia's IxGreen proof-of-concept solution is the first such integrated performance-per-power solution in the industry and one we are looking to help drive standards-based testing for power consumption in the industry."

"These test results prove that our switches can meet customers' need to consume less power and save money while serving their business interests," said Nigel Moulton, vice president of Enterprise and SME, D-Link Europe. "The switches' low power consumption has a positive multiplier effect on a data center's carbon footprint."

The IxGreen Proof-of-Concept solution was first demonstrated at Interop Las Vegas in May 2008. IxGreen offers accurate and repeatable validation of individual data center elements, with the emphasis on performance and power consumption -- thereby enabling data center managers to achieve their eco-efficient data center goals. These goals, in addition to cooling and power savings, include consolidation of data center elements, server and software virtualization, remote management/administration and a reduced carbon footprint.

About Ixia

Ixia is a leading provider of IP service verification platforms and performance test systems for IP-based infrastructure and services. Ixia's multiplay test systems address the growing need to test voice, video, and data services and network capability under real-world conditions.

For more information visit our website at http://www.ixiacom.com.

About Broadband-Testing Labs

Broadband-Testing Laboratories is a vendor independent testing organization offering its facilities and expertise to both vendors and end users for private testing commissions.

Ixia, IxGreen 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 capabilities. Ixia is only obligated to provide those deliverables specifically included in a written agreement between Ixia and the customer.