Ixia’s IxLoad test solution now runs as a virtualized system to help mobile operators maximize the success of strategic NFV deployments.
Ixia enables mobile operators to determine what to virtualize, how to go about it, and how to measure success by showing which cloud-based functions match the performance achieved by existing physical devices.
With mobile usage, user expectations and competitive threats all on the rise, the risks to operators’ brands and bottom line are too great to leave NFV deployments to chance.
IxLoad emulates the behavior of mobile subscribers and virtualized network functions (VNFs) to allow operators to speed the introduction of new services .
While mobile operators agree on the need and vision for NFV, many struggle to fully understand the practical migration steps, quantify the benefits and measure success, Ixia said. By offering the extended IxLoad solution with virtual network function features, Ixia enables mobile operators to accelerate NFV within their networks to speed new service introduction, increase network and service agility, simplify network management and optimization and improve the economics of service delivery.
IxLoad optimizes virtual networks with a repeatable, large-scale validation approach that accurately mirrors real-world environments to helps ensure network resiliency and performance.
IxLoad assigns critical Quality of Experience (QoE) metrics for voice, video, web and data applications. Actionable measurements including throughput, capacity, packet loss, latency, jitter, handovers, connection rates, and MOS scores for voice/video quality.
“Virtualization won’t happen with the flip of a switch, it’s a major challenge for operators. Blended networks, consisting of both physical and virtual components, will exist for some time to come,” said Joe Zeto, senior director, product marketing at Ixia. “In displacing vital network functions - putting user satisfaction at risk - the practical steps and impact must be fully understood each step of the way. A mix of physical and virtual assessment capabilities are required and a key ingredient to fully validate success.”