Candela’s Specific LANforge-FIRE Example (DSL)
Suppose that you have a DSLAM you wish to test with the LANforge package. The DSLAM has one 10/100 BaseT Ethernet interface that goes towards the network, and supports ninety-six (96) CPE DSL modems. Each DSL modem has at least one Ethernet port for the customer's equipment (or LANforge) to connect to.
Candela’s Generating Line-speed UDP traffic
LANforge supports Linux kernel accelerated UDP traffic genera
tion and reception. This feature, known as LANforge-Armageddon, generates line-speed packet rates on 10/100Mbps networks, and can currently generate up to 999Mbps on Gigabit Ethernet networks.
LANforge-Armageddon can also customize or randomize various Ethernet, IP, and UDP header fields, making it an excellent tool for break-it testing to see if your system-under-test can withstand the onslaught.
Candela’s LANforge-ICE WAN Emulator
The LANforge-ICE platform is used to simulate T1, DS3, OC-3, OC-12, GigE, DSL, Satellite, Dial-Up, and other Wide Area Networks (WANs). LANforge-ICE can simulate many attributes of a WAN, including latency, jitter, packet-loss, packet-reordering, packet-duplication and bandwidth constraints. Latency and jitter is configurable in 1ms increments, and the packet-loss, reordering, and duplication settings are X packets per million.
LANforge-ICE can be configured to run entirely on a single laptop provided by Candela Technologies or a distributor, and it can also be configured on rack-mounted units or your own machines. The Linux version is currently more accurate and faster, but the Windows solution is fine for speeds of 45Mbps and slower.
Candela’s Typical LANforge-ICE Configuration
LANforge-ICE is usually installed on a single machine with two Ethernet ports free for use by LANforge. It takes exactly two ports to simulate a WAN link, but if you wish to run several WAN simulations simultaneously, you may order a LANforge-ICE configuration with 4 or more ports. LANforge-ICE also supports 802.1Q VLANs, and when used in conjunction with a properly configured VLAN ethernet switch, a single LANforge machine can easily emulate 48 or more unique networks configurations. The devices under test do NOT need to use or support 802.1Q VLANs, just regular Ethernet.
LANforge-ICE: The Business Case
o Reduces lab and training costs by replacing expensive WAN hardware such as T1 and FrameRelay devices
o Automates testing with various scripting features and libraries
o Compact form factor and rack-mount chassis conserves valuable lab space
o Laptop form factor makes LANforge-ICE a friendly traveling companion and a good option for trade shows and customer demos
o Validates stability and functionality of devices and programs functioning across a wide variety of network conditions
o Very affordable, especially when compared to competitors
o Delivers advanced, remote, cross-platform, graphical management interface
o Implements a modular architecture that allows you to leverage your existing LANforge investment as your need for capacity increases
o Turnkey solution (LANforge systems come pre-installed and configured based upon customer supplied information - software-only packages are also available)
o Ease of use - central management of entire LANforge system from anywhere on the network
LANforge-ICE Product Features and Highlights
o Able to simulate DS1, DS3, DSL, OC-3, OC-12, GigE, CableModem, Satellite links and other rate-limited networks
o Can modify various network attributes including: line-speed, latency, jitter, packet-loss, packet-reordering, and packet-duplication
o Supports WanPath feature to allow configuration of specific behavior between different MAC/IP pairs or subnets using a single pair of physical interfaces
o Available configurations include all-in-one Laptops and rack mount systems for stationary labs
o Allows packet sniffing and network protocol decoding with the integrated Ethereal protocol sniffer
o Comprehensive management information detailing all aspects of the LANforge system including processor card statistics, test cases, and ethernet port statistics
o GUI runs as Java application on Linux and Microsoft Operating Systems (among others)
o GUI can run remotely, even over a dial-up modem link to accommodate the needs of the users
o Central management application can manage multiple units, tests, and testers simultaneously
o Supports scriptable command line interface (TELNET) which can be used to automate test scenarios (Perl libraries and example scripts are also provided!)
o Automatic discovery of LANforge processor cards simplifies maintenance of LANforge test equipment
o LANforge traffic generation and management software supported on Red Hat Linux and Microsoft Windows 2000, XP and
LANforge-ICE Test Scenarios
o Simulate a full T1 with 35ms latency, 10ms jitter, and 15 packets-per-million drop rate.
o Simulate a DSL connection with 15ms latency, 10ms jitter, and 150 packets-per-million drop rate, running 784Kbps downstream and 256Kbps upstream.
o Insertion duplicate and reordered packets to verify your RTP streaming protocols can handle it gracefully.
o Create regression scripts using LANforge Perl libraries or your own favorite scripting language.