Service providers and operators are planning to transition from their current SONET/SDH networks to next generation IP/MPLS converged networks.

Despite lean spending environments, network operators are increasing their investments in IP/MPLS and metro Ethernet technologies, aiming to enable converged voice, data, and video services that will drive new revenue streams.

The FST-2802 Gigabit Ethernet Module has been enhanced with capabilities designed to enable Grintek Telecoms network operator clients to turn up and troubleshoot IP services, and to focus on ease-of-use for Tier-1 field technicians who have minimal data testing experience.

By using the FST-2802 with Ethernet, IP and fibre channel capabilities, technicians are not required to interchange modules in order to test multiple technologies.

With one user interface, the additional training per technology is effectively minimised, the company says.

In addition, with this engineering design, Grintek Telecom says that it can pass on to clients the savings achieved through the economies of scale associated with the FST-2802, by offering competitive pricing and flexible test-mainframe configurations.

Acterna says that it has also added IP enhancements as well as support for fibre-channel flow control capability to the existing 1G and 2G fibre channel feature set of the FST-2802.

Todays storage area networks (SANs) are migrating from transparent DWDM networks to non-transparent, longer-distance networks.

Such networks require service providers to test and verify flow control on fibre channel links by performing log-in and buffer-to-buffer credit support for verification of throughput and round-trip delay over these distance-extended SAN links.

By combining Ethernet, IP and fibre channel testing capabilities, the FST-2802 is claimed to be the only industry test tool that features rich and broad testing capabilities in one package.