February 2017
Spirent Communications
Spirent TestCenter Software and Hardware New Features 4.73
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 2
Contents
NEW PRODUCTS AND FEATURES ................................................................................................... 3
HARDWARE ......................................................................................................................................... 3
SOFTWARE ........................................................................................................................................... 6
SPIRENT SUPPORT ............................................................................................................................ 15
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 3
New Products and Features
Hardware
Spirent TestCenter fX3/mX3 HSE/FC Modules (link to datasheet)
Several variants of Fibre Channel capable load modules including a 7-speed and an FC only
version are released with Spirent TestCenter 4.73.
Full fX3/mX3 Ethernet Functionality
4 ports of 16/32G Fibre Channel interface
o 2 ports per QSFP28 interface
o Up to 48 ports per chassis
Port speed can be set independently per QSFP28 interface
Per port user reservation
Transmitter Training Signal (TTS) feature (32G mode)
Internal and external clock
o Internal clock supports PPM adjustment per QSFP28 interface
Supports Class 2 and Class 3 FC traffic
Real-time TX stream adjustments
64K transmit streams
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 4
Support for Shortreach(SR) QSFP28 transceivers
Per port capture with analyzer filters (Wireshark FC decodes)
Data Center Bridging with 8 Priority Flow Control queues per port
DCBX, FCoE and FIP protocol emulation
Unicast and multicast benchmarking
Routing, MPLS, Carrier Ethernet, Switching and Access Protocols
Note: When changing modes between Fibre Channel and Ethernet the optical interface must be
swapped with the appropriate transceiver for the mode and speed intended.
Spirent TestCenter WLAN C50 Appliance: C50-KIT-16-START and C50-KIT-17-START
In Spirent TestCenter release 4.73, the WLAN interfaces installed in the C50 appliance
consist of multiple IEEE 802.11 radios. This provides for maximum user configurability and
the flexibility to emulate various IEEE 802.11ac SU-MIMO or MU-MIMO clients on 5GHz
band and other legacy 802.11 a/b/g/n clients on either 2.4GHz or 5GHz band.
A single Wave-2 WLAN radio supports 802.11ac Wave-2 clients with different spatial stream
configurations up to 4x4, for the best realistic client emulation scenarios in either SU-MIMO
or MU-MIMO mode.
Designed for testing WLAN network infrastructure devices, including the latest 802.11ac
Wave-2 carrier or enterprise thin APs with controllers, consumer APs, and integrated
broadband WLAN gateway, Spirent TestCenter WLAN solutions offer the best in class traffic
generation and analysis for testing functionality, performance, and scalability.
Spirent TestCenter C50 WLAN Wave-2 Appliance
Platform Configurations and Features
Spirent TestCenter C50 Appliance based WLAN Testing solutions
Unique hardware configurations with one Spirent 802.11ac Wave-1 WLAN card and
two Spirent 802.11ac Wave-2 WLAN cards
Spirent BASE-T 4-port quint speed (100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G) or quad speed
(100M/1G/2.5G/5G) Ethernet card with copper RJ45 interface
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
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Hardware timing card for precise timing synchronization between different ports and
between different appliances
Supports IEEE 802.11ac Wave-2 Standard 4x4 MIMO with 80MHz channel bandwidth
Supports 80+80MHz and 160MHz channel bandwidth for MIMO up to 2x2
Supports downlink (from AP to client) MU-MIMO for 80 MHz channel
Unique multiple WLAN cards and multiple radio architecture design, suitable for MU-
MIMO testing
Integrated internal channel attenuator for up to 31dB attenuation with 0.25dB
resolution
Combined 2.5G/5G Ethernet capability with 802.11ac Wave-2 solution for higher than
1Gbps maximum throughput testing
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 6
Software Features
IEEE 1588 User configurable UTC offset
With Spirent TestCenter release 4.73, IEEE 1588 UTC offset is now user configurable with the
default value set to 36s.
Spirent TestCenter Virtual
Benchmark Rate Mode
Spirent TestCenter release 4.73 adds support for Benchmark Rate Mode (BRM) on 10G and
40G port interfaces using the DPDK driver on KVM platform, and 10G port interfaces with DPDK
driver on ESXi platform. BRM can achieve rates as high as 5.5Gb line rate with 64-byte sized
frames using the standard Spirent TestCenter Virtual footprint and suitable host configurations.
BRM mode is intended for performance benchmarking use cases such as RFC 2544 and
supports TCP and UDP headers, but does not support modifiers or other dynamic stream
configuration changes while traffic is running. Consult the Spirent TestCenter Virtual Quick Start
Guide for additional details.
NTP-Enhanced
Release 4.73 also includes significant enhancements to the Spirent TestCenter Virtual NTP
client implementation referred to as NTP-E. Notably new support for "Burst" mode that greatly
increases the speed at which synchronization to an NTP server is achieved from an average of
30 minutes to 1 minute. Additional enhancements include the use of a new timing library and
when the NTP server is connected to a stratum 1 clock source, enables latency precision down
to 100 microseconds. To ensure proper synchronization, Spirent TestCenter Virtual adds new
synch statistics reporting the progress of synchronization and the offset achieved to NTP server.
NTP-E is supported on BRM as well. Consult the Spirent TestCenter Virtual Quick Start Guide
for additional details.
DPDK Driver
In release 4.73, Spirent TestCenter Virtual the DPDK driver has been upgraded to DPDK version
16.11. Spirent TestCenter Virtual DPDK is supported on KVM and ESXi in pass-through and SR-
IOV modes.
AppPerf ALP
Release 4.73 adds support for configurable Tx goodput rate on AppPerf. Transmit rate
configuration is applied to both a server and client simultaneously, and the sum of client and
server Tx rates are reported in the statistics.
Note: Support for rate configuration of either a client or server is not supported in this release.
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 7
SP SDN/Routing New Feature
Segment Routing: Enhancement to OSPF
Release 4.73 added support for “Simplified Segment Routing” which simplifies the configuration
for SR. Users do not need to add Sub-TLVs manually for SR. In addition, “Simplified SR” does
auto configuration of required Sub-TLVs as per the topology selected from the IGP (for example:
Tree, Grid, Fullmesh, Ring, and Hub & Spoke). Simplified SR is enabled by default.
By default, the Base value is 16000 and the Range is 8000; however, users can change these
values as per the DUT configuration.
Users can add Prefix-SID by checking the “Generate SID for Prefix” checkbox under the Node tab. By default, Spirent TestCenter will generate all the routes using Ext. Prefix TLV; however, users can change this % value to use a mix of Ext. Prefix TLV and Ext. Prefix Range TLV.
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 8
Simplified SR shows the preview of Node/Prefix/Adj-SID labels as per the starting SID value
configured in the route generator wizard. Users can modify the value of the SID by enabling
“Customize SR SID”. Prefix-SID preview does not display until users apply the configuration to
the Spirent TestCenter hardware.
BGP-flowspec v6 for Unicast Routes
In addition to IPv6 flowspec VPN Routes, in release 4.73, Spirent TestCenter now supports v6
flowspec routes for Unicast Type-1 and Type-2. The existing flowspec v6 license includes
support for VPN and Unicast routes.
BGP Option to Disable Sending EOR (End of RIB) to DUT
BPK-1004A/B Unicast Routing (BGP) Base Package
Spirent TestCenter release 4.73 now supports a new BGP session option to disable and enable sending an EOR (End of RIB) marker to a DUT. By default, sending EOR marker is enabled, and emulated BGP devices in Spirent TestCenter will send out the EOR marker to the DUT after sending all BGP updates. Users now have the option to disable sending EOR (End of RIB) marker to a DUT on a per BGP session basis by deselecting the “EOR Maker” checkbox. When the “EOR Marker” option is turned off, emulated BGP devices in Spirent TestCenter will not send the EOR marker to the DUT after sending all BGP updates.
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 9
Option to Customize TTL Value in BGP Messages
BPK-1004A/B Unicast Routing (BGP) Base Package
Spirent TestCenter release 4.73 now supports a new BGP session option to allow users to
customize the TTL value used in BGP open, keepalive, update, and notification messages. The
default TTL value is 255. Use the “TTL value” option to set the desired TTL value on a per BGP
session basis.
VXLAN EVPN Overlay L2VNI Traffic Wizard
BPK-1310A VXLAN Emulation with EVPN Learning
Spirent TestCenter release 4.73 adds a new automatic traffic mode in the VXLAN EVPN overlay
wizard. Users can quickly configure traffic stream blocks between VM/host endpoints in the same
L2VNI segment on different VXLAN and non-VXLAN ports within the wizard. If users prefer to
configure the traffic manually, the option to launch traffic wizard within the VXLAN EVPN overlay
wizard is still available. In the new automatic traffic wizard page, users can select the “Westside”
ports and “Eastside” ports. The “Westside” can only have VXLAN ports. The “Eastside” can have
either VXLAN ports or Non-VXLAN ports, but not both at the same time. Neither the “Westside”
or “Eastside” port lists can be empty. Users can select a “Full Mesh” or “One to One” traffic
pattern. Users can also specify traffic direction as “East -> West” only, or “West -> East” only, or
bidirectional. Traffic streams are configured between VM/host endpoints under same L2VNI on
Westside VXLAN ports and Eastside non-VXLAN or VXLAN ports.
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 10
VXLAN Enable ARP for VMs in EVPN Learning Mode
BPK-1310A VXLAN Emulation with EVPN Learning
Spirent TestCenter release 4.73 now supports a new option to enable ARP for VMs on a per
segment block basis in the “VXLAN Segments” page. By default, the “Enable VM ARP” option is
disabled. This option is only applicable when the “Communication Type” is “EVPN learning”. This
option is supported for the EVPN learning DBD (device behind device) scenario. VM ARP
requests are encapsulated in outer VTEP IP headers.
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 11
When the “Enable VM ARP” option is checked/enabled, users can trigger ARP on all streams at
the same time by selecting the command “All Stream Blocks->ARP/ND->Start ARP/ND”.
Users can also trigger ARP on an individual stream by selecting that stream and executing the
command “ARP/ND->Start ARP/ND”.
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 12
VXLAN Show Bindings in Result View
BPK-1310A VXLAN Emulation with EVPN Learning
Spirent TestCenter release 4.73 adds a new result view to display VXLAN bindings. To enable
this view, users select “System Views “, then “Switching”, then “VXLAN” and then “VXLAN
Binding Results” view options in the “Change Result View” drop-down menu in the Result View
window.
With the new VXLAN binding result view, users can view the VXLAN local and remote VM to
VTEP bindings and binding status in a single result view window. The binding results can be
refreshed manually or automatically.
VXLAN RD/RT/L2VNI Distribution to VMs in a Single Route Block and the Option to Set L3VNI Count for Each L2VNI Segment Block
BPK-1310A VXLAN Emulation with EVPN Learning
Spirent TestCenter release 4.73 adds a new option “VPN Parameter Distribution Type” for EVPN
MAC/IP (Type-2) and IP Prefix (Type-5) routes. This option has two possible values –
“RoundRobin” and “Linear”. The default value is “RoundRobin”. Based on the user-configured
VPN parameter distribution type, RT, RD and VNI values are distributed to all VMs configured in
a route block in either round robin or linear manner. This VPN parameter distribution is used in
both traffic and DBD (device behind device) scenarios.
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 13
This “VPN Parameter Distribution Type” option is only applicable for EVPN MAC/IP (Type-2)
and IP Prefix (Type-5) routes when the “Data Plane Encapsulation” field is set to VXLAN.
The new “VPN Parameter Distribution Type” field is also added to the “VXLAN Segment” page.
The field takes RoundRobin or Linear as input, with “RoundRobin” being the default value. This
field is only applicable when the “Communication Type” field is set to “EVPN Learning”.
The “L3VNI Count” field was also added to the “VXLAN Segment” page. This field is only
applicable when the “Enable L3 VNI” checkbox is selected. With this feature, users can associate
multiple L2VNIs to a list of L3VNIs in a single L2VNI segment block.
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 14
DHCP SERVER – Force Renew token
BPK-1077A/B DHCP Server
Spirent TestCenter release 4.73 adds a new option for Authentication called “Force Renew
Token.” This allows the server to send a token, user defined, with each Force Renew Request.
If the token does not match the Client, it will discard the Force Renew Message.
Discontinuance Notification – FreeBSD
At the end of 2017, Spirent will discontinue automation support for FreeBSD on all Spirent
TestCenter software and hardware products.
Customers are encouraged to move to one of the supported operating systems listed in the
Operating Systems Requirements section of the Spirent TestCenter Software and Hardware
Release Notes.
Spirent TestCenter 4.73 New Features
February 2017 15
Spirent Support
To obtain technical support for Spirent Communications products, please contact our Support
Services department using any of the following methods:
Americas
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: https://support.spirent.com/SpirentCSC/
Toll Free: +1 800-SPIRENT (+1 800-774-7368) (North America)
Phone: +1 818-676-2616
Hours: Monday through Friday, 06:30 to 18:00 Pacific Time
Europe, Middle East, Africa
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: https://support.spirent.com/SpirentCSC/
Phone: +33 (1) 6137 2270 (France)
Phone: +44 1803 546333 (UK)
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 09:00 to 18:00, 9:00 to 17:00 Friday, Paris Time
Asia Pacific
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: https://support.spirent.com/SpirentCSC/
Phone: +86 (400) 810-9529 (toll-free mainland China only)
Phone: +86 (10) 8233 0033 (China)
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday, 09:00 to 18:00 Beijing Time
Company Address
Spirent Communications, Inc.
27349 Agoura Road
Calabasas, CA 91301
USA
The latest versions of user manuals, application notes, and software and firmware updates are available
on the Spirent Communications Customer Service Center website at
https://support.spirent.com/SpirentCSC/.
Information about Spirent Communications and its products and services can be found on the main
company website at https://www.spirent.com.
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particular, the name “Spirent” and its logo device, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Spirent plc and its
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