Spectra2 - Core Network Test

Signaling and Media Test solutions for the lab and the field.

Your Challenges

The coexistence of legacy and emerging networks along with the convergence between fixed and mobile networks creates challenging core network test conditions for CSPs. IMS is a service rich environment with video, presence, voice, and vertical features, but legacy services still remain such as Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) number databases. Carriers must ensure that their new IMS IP services work and that their legacy services can be integrated with their new IP infrastructure.

Core network test troubleshooting has become more challenging due to the flexibility introduced by text-based IP protocols. IMS and LTE drive new applications, media policies, charging plans and mobility. So core network test tools must be able to validate SIP call control along with Diameter based location, policy, charging and services management. Legacy architecture will remain in place for years to come. This means that end-to-end testing of call control and media Quality of Service (QoS) from time domain multiplexing (TDM) to TDM, TDM to IP, and TDM to IP to TDM must be validated to ensure service quality.

How We Can Help

Tektronix Communications Spectra2 Core Network Test solution integrates functional test, load/stress testing, conformance testing, interoperability testing, Quality of Service measurement and monitoring for both emerging technologies (IMS, TISPAN, NGN and FMC), legacy technologies (PSTN/SS7 and ISDN) and VoIP (SIP and H.323) into a single platform. Spectra2 Core Network Test solution is one of the only tools on the market that can perform TDM and IP testing in a single chassis with a single user interface. Spectra2 Core Network Test solution enables end-to-end Quality of Service and call control validation in a single platform of gateways converting ISUP to SIP or SIP-I, enterprise PBXs using ISDN to SIP Trunking, and TDM media conversion to and from IP.

Visit Spectra2.com website for more information.

Features and Benefits

  • The Spectra2|SE² software only test solution provides high capacity IP signaling and media testing in the field. This laptop-based functional, load, and monitoring solution enables cross domain IP testing with media. Call scenarios from the field can be captured and imported directly to a Spectra2 server in the lab. This approach integrates field experience into the lab to avoid getting burned by the same problem twice.
  • Spectra2 Core Network Test solution’s powerful SIP and Diameter solutions can validate SIP based call control, SIP trunking, and SIP services. Each of these services normally involves Diameter transactions for AAA, Services, Policy, and Charging. Spectra2 emulates a variety of these nodes from your CSCF, to HSS, to PDF, OCS and many more. Spectra2 Core Network Test solution simulates and validates new services prior to investing in platforms or software.
  • Spectra2 provide complete simulation of service platforms for both functional testing and load testing, making it possible to deploy presence servers, TCAP 800 databases, location-based services, Centrex and PBX features with confidence.

Applications

  • Validating the service, capacity and functionality of deployed networks
  • Functional, Load and Monitoring Solutions for SIP, H.323, H.248, MGCP, Diameter, HTTP, XCAP, RTSP ISUP, TCAP, ISDN, and BICC 
  • Multimedia test including Audio and Video coupled with QoS
  • Protocol Conformance Testing
  • Automation Solutions for Regression Testing

Validating The Service, Capacity And Functionality Of Deployed Networks

Test engineers, field engineers, deployment teams, software designers, vendor equipment evaluators and technical support engineers are jointly responsible for ensuring that each element of the network provides the advertised functionality and that services deliver end-to-end integrity. The network must comply with standards and proprietary specifications. Load and stress testing ensures that the individual components can perform under heavy traffic for long periods of time. Interoperability testing must be performed to validate that the network elements can communicate with each other without error. Quality of Service (QoS) measurement determines whether the media quality meets the Service Level Agreement (SLA).

Spectra2 Core Network Test solution can perform functional testing on any NGN (IMS/TISPAN), VoIP, PSTN/SS7, ISDN or Mobile CS Core network element including simulating the surrounding nodes for the Device Under Test (DUT) or the System Under Test (SUT). Spectra2 Core Network Test solution can generate heavy signaling and media traffic with any call model or traffic profile for performance or stress testing. Standards-based conformance testing ensures NGN protocol compliance to the specifications. Spectra2 also has a full suite of test tools for legacy protocols. Spectra2 supports IMS/TISPAN interoperability testing to ensure internetworking with multiple standards body protocols with the unique variants as well as manufacturer-defined proprietary specifications. Spectra2 provides Quality of Service measurement for both audio and video media as well as voice path verification.

The Spectra2 Core Network Test solution can capture failed scenarios for replay in the lab and then reintegrate the scenarios into a regression test environment. Spectra2 provides a portable toolset for network deployment that can perform cross domain IP testing with media to ensure that new networks are deployed with end-to-end voice quality. The Spectra2 Core Network Test solution can validate hosted solutions enabled by SIP trunking in the enterprise location as well as in the lab. Spectra2 can also validate conversion to IP including MTP to SIGTRAN or ISUP to SIP-I, ingress signaling and egress signaling. Policy validation and charging validation can be performed to ensure SLA conformance. Diameter protocol test solutions are provided.

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