Ethernet/IP Tester

Multi-Functional Ethernet Test Solution

PacketExpert™ 100G - Comprehensive Ethernet/IP Testing Solution

Test High Speed Ethernet networks up to 100 Gbps for performance and reliability.


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PacketExpert™ 100G
Portable PacketExpert™ 100G
PacketExpert™ 100G 1U Rack

Overview

The PacketExpert™ 100G (PXX100) is a cutting-edge hardware platform designed for extensive testing of wire-speed Ethernet and IP networks, supporting speeds of up to 100 Gbps. The PacketExpert™ 100G is a high performance appliance with specialized network interface cards, GL’s proprietary PacketExpert™ software, large RAM and storage, with optimized processing, and cooling capability. Available in rack-mount and portable platforms. If higher test port density is desired, multiple SmartNIC cards can be installed. PacketExpert™ 100G has a web-based user interface.

Key Features

  • Supports 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 50G, and 100G rates with IEEE 802.3-compliant Forward Error Correction (FEC), including Fire Code and RS-FEC (528, 514) and RS-FEC (544, 514)
  • Offers various applications as standard including BERT, Smart Loopback, RFC 2544, and Y.1564 testing
  • Scales from 2 to 8 ports
  • Offers multi-user and multi-chassis support through a single web-based user interface
  • Supports DAC (Direct Attach Cable) and AOC (Active Optical Cable), offering cost-effective, low-latency, and energy-efficient solutions for short-distance connectivity in data centers. These cables are compatible with data rates such as 10G SFP+, 25G SFP28, 40G QSFP+, and 100G QSFP28
  • Collects comprehensive statistics, displays graphs, and generates reports in PDF and CSV formats
  • Test automation and regression testing via Python and REST APIs
  • Customizable packet formats and sizes, including Ethernet (Layer 2), up to 3 stacked VLANs (Q-in-Q), up to 3 stacked MPLS (Layer 2.5), IPv4/IPv6 (Layer 3), and UDP (Layer 4) with framesizes from 64 - 16000 bytes
  • Detects Layer 1 alarms and errors
  • Performs Bit Error Rate Testing (BERT) with PRBS patterns – 29-1, 211-1, 215-1, 220-1, 223-1, 229-1, and 231-1 along with user-defined patterns and Pass/Fail verdicts based on user-defined thresholds
  • Supports the insertion of single or rate-based bit errors
  • Offers Smart loopback support with the ability to respond to loop-up and loop-down commands
  • Comprehensive RFC 2544 testing: Delivers detailed analysis and pass/fail verdicts for throughput, latency, back-to-back frames, and frame loss, all based on user-defined thresholds
  • Performs Y.1564 testing: Facilitates up to 16 unique streams per port, offering granular statistics on throughput, latency, jitter, and frame loss with verdicts based on SLA parameters
  • Multi Stream Traffic Generator and Analyzer (MTGA) : Supports up to 16 streams with distinct test configurations, measuring key performance indicators like throughput, frame loss ratio, latency, and jitter simultaneously. It accommodates up to 5 frame sizes per stream and supports stacked VLANs (C-Tag and S-Tag) to simulate Carrier Ethernet traffic


PacketExpert™ 100G Applications

Bit Error Rate Testing (BERT)

RFC 2544 Network Testing

Smart Loopback Testing

Multi Stream Traffic Generator and Analyzer (MTGA)

ExpertSAM™ - Y.1564 Testing

PacketExpert™ 100G CLI (Python)

Product Videos

PacketExpert™ - Overview

PacketExpert™ 100G - Bit Error Rate Testing

PacketExpert™ - Overview

PacketExpert™ 100G - RFC2544 Testing

PacketExpert™ - Overview

PacketExpert™ 100G - Loopback Testing


Multiple Users with Multiple Servers and Devices

The PacketExpert™ 100G Web interface offers users the convenience of accessing multiple servers that are located in different areas within the same LAN. This allows for seamless connectivity and management of multiple PacketExpert™ 100G devices from a single server, enhancing efficiency and control.

Multiple Users with Multiple Servers and Devices
Multiple devices interfaces

100 Gbps Wirespeed Ethernet / IP Testing

  • Simultaneously generates and receives Ethernet traffic at 100% wire-speed (bidirectional 100 Gbps rate) on both ports
  • User-configurable frame size and rate, MAC, MPLS, VLAN, IP, and UDP
  • Supports Forward Error Correction (FEC) available where required to improve communication reliability
  • Supports Fire Code FEC, RS-FEC (528, 514) and RS-FEC (544, 514) FECs to work with a variety of interfaces
  • Wire speed BERT, Smart Loopback, RFC 2544, Y.1564 Testing and Multi Stream Traffic Generator and Analyzer applications
  • Support for frame lengths from 64 bytes to Jumbo frames (up to 16000 bytes)
  • Test at Ethernet (Layer 2), VLAN / Stacked MPLS (Layer 2.5), IP (Layer 3 including IPv4 and Ipv6) and UDP (Layer 4)
  • Customize Ethernet, IP and UDP protocol headers
  • Multi-device support for all the applications for high density testing, up to 4 devices per appliance, more possible
  • Real-time results are displayed in both tabular and graphical representations
  • Test result reports available in PDF and CSV file formats
  • Detailed frame statistics presented in tabular format for all the ports

Wirespeed BERT Across All Layers - Ethernet, VLAN, MPLS, IP and UDP

  • BERT is applicable for Ethernet (Layer2), up to 3 Stacked VLAN (Q-in-Q), up to 3 Stacked MPLS (Layer 2.5), IPv4/IPv6 (Layer3) and UDP (Layer4)
  • Intentionally introduce single bit errors individually or at a desired rate
  • User-defined header parameters for MAC, VLAN, MPLS, IPv4/IPv6 and UDP layers
  • Multi-device support for wire-speed BERT and simultaneous BERT/Loopback applications to increase the number of parallel BERT tests
  • Real-time graphical representation of the combined Throughput and Bit Error rate can be plotted over time for BERT testing

RFC 2544 Network Testing

  • RFC 2544 can be tested on Ethernet, VLAN, MPLS, IPv4 / IPv6 and UDP layers
  • Supports Throughput, Latency, Frame Loss, and Back-to-Back performance tests
  • Uni-directional and bi-directional RFC 2544 testing supported
  • User-defined configuration parameters such as frame size, trial duration, number of trials, etc.
  • User selectable single or dual ports RFC 2544 testing
  • Multi-device support for multiple parallel RFC 2544 tests
  • Graphs and Statistics for all the RFC 2544 tests

High Speed Ethernet Loopback

  • Supports smart loopback (auto layer detection), swap source and destination addresses at MAC, IP, and UDP layers
  • Multi-device support for all port loopback application to increase the number of simultaneous Loopback ports

Supported Forward Error Correction (FEC) Types

The PacketExpert™ 100G supports Fire Code FEC, RS-FEC (528, 514), and RS-FEC (544, 514), ensuring compatibility with a wide range of interfaces like, 10G, 25G, 40G, 50G and 100G.

100G
  • Clause 91 RS-FEC(528,514)
50G
  • Clause 134 RS-FEC(544,514)
  • Clause 91 RS-FEC(528,514) - (Ethernet Consortium specification)
  • Clause 74 Fire Code FEC - Used for DAC cables and AOC cables (Ethernet Consortium specification)
40G
  • Clause 74 Fire Code FEC - Used for DAC cables and AOC cables
25G
  • Clause 108 RS-FEC(528,514)
  • Clause 74 Fire Code FEC - Used for DAC cables and AOC cables
10G
  • Clause 74 Fire Code FEC - Used for DAC cables and AOC cables

Note: FEC supports IEEE specifications unless mentioned otherwise

PacketExpert™ 100G - SmartNIC Specifications (Per Card)

Optics
  • 2 x QSFP28 cages for 2 x 100 GbE, 2 x 50GbE, and 2 x 40 GbE
  • Supports 2 x 25 GbE, 2 x 10 GbE, and 2 x 1 GbE with QSFP-to-SFP adapter
Multiple Users with Multiple Servers and Devices
PCIe PCIe Gen 3, 16 lanes
RAM 8 GBytes DDR4 SDRAM
1000Base-T Port RJ45 for IEEE1588v2
Single-ended Coaxial I/O SMA connector, 50 Ohms for External Clock Input/Output
Temperature Range 0 °C to 45 °C
Operating Humidity 20% to 80%
Storage -10 to 60 °C
Oscillator Accuracy +/- 4.6ppm

PacketExpert™ 100G Rackmount Platforms

  • Ideal for Lab environments that require centralized management of multiple servers and network devices
  • Rackmount units offer flexibility for scaling up or down as needed by adding or removing individual units
PacketExpert™ 100G – 4U Rack PC

PacketExpert™ 100G – 4U Rack PC

Specifications - PacketExpert™ 100G – 4U Rack PC
Dimensions 6.9” H x 16.9” W x 17.5” D
Weight 72 lbs.
Number of Supported Cards/Ports Up to 7 Cards x (2x100G Ports), Maximum of 14 Ports
Power supply 800W
PacketExpert™ 100G – 2U Rack PC

PacketExpert™ 100G – 2U Rack PC

Specifications - PacketExpert™ 100G – 2U Rack PC
Dimensions 3.5” H x 17.2” W x 17.7” D
Weight 30 lbs.
Number of Supported Cards/Ports Up to 2 Cards x (2x100G Ports), Maximum of 4 Ports
Power supply 800W
PacketExpert™ 100G – 1U Rack PC

PacketExpert™ 100G – 1U Rack PC

Specifications - PacketExpert™ 100G – 1U Rack PC
Dimensions 1.7" H x 17.2" W x 9.8" D
Weight 10 lbs.
Number of Supported Cards/Ports 1 x Full-height
1 Card x (2x100G Ports), Maximum of 2 Ports
Power supply 200W

PacketExpert™ 100G Portable Platforms

  • Ideal for field engineers, military personnel, or researchers who need a powerful and portable computing solution in remote or rugged locations
  • Suitable for environments where traditional desktops or laptops may be too fragile or lack necessary durability
Ultra-Portable PacketExpert™ 100G

Ultra-Portable PacketExpert™ 100G (Lunchbox)

Specifications - Ultra-Portable PacketExpert™ 100G (Lunchbox)
Dimensions 12.4” H x 16.41” W x 4.39” D
Display 17.3” 1920x1080
Weight 16.5 lbs.
Number of Supported Cards/Ports Up to 2 Cards x (2x100G Ports), Maximum of 4 Ports
Power supply 400W (optional 500W)
Portable PacketExpert™ 100G

Portable PacketExpert™ 100G (Lunchbox)

Specifications - Portable PacketExpert™ 100G (Lunchbox)
Dimensions 13.62” H x 16.50” W x 7.25” D
Display 17.3” 1920x1080
Weight ~23 lbs. (10.4kg)
Number of Supported Cards/Ports Up to 3 Cards x (2x100G Ports), Maximum of 6 Ports
Power supply 680W 100/240VAC
PacketExpert™ 100G Portable Platform

PacketExpert™ 100G Portable Platform (Lunchbox)

Specifications - PacketExpert™ 100G Portable Platform (Lunchbox)
Dimensions 17.06” x 13.67” x 9.02” (H x W x D)
Display 17.3” 1920x1080
Weight ~30 lbs.
Number of Supported Cards/Ports Up to 6 Cards x (2x100G Ports), Maximum of 12 Ports
Power supply 1000W 100-240VAC

Supported Applications

Bit Error Rate Testing (BERT)

PacketExpert™ 100G supports Wire speed BERT up to 100Gbps simultaneously over Framed Ethernet (Layer 2), Stacked VLAN (Q-in-Q), Stacked MPLS (Layer 2.5), IPv4/IPv6, and UDP. It can transmit and receive various bit patterns including industry standard PRBS patterns and user-defined patterns. The device can also intentionally introduce bit errors and frame check sequence errors. Wire speed BERT is supported on two 100 Gbps Optical ports.

  • BERT test can be performed on various link speed such as 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 50G or 100G
  • In this case, Source and Destination PacketExpert™ 100G applications are located in different IP networks
  • These 2 networks are connected through a Router. Refer to the diagram, shows 2 LANs connected through a Router
Bit Error Rate Testing

PacketExpert™ 100G offers a real-time presentation of the combined Throughput and Error Events detected during Bit Error Rate Testing. These occurrences are depicted on a graphical chart as data points over the course of the test. The graph initiates at the beginning of the BER test and stops when the BERT test is terminated.

Bit Error Rate Testing graph

For more information please visit Bit Error Rate Testing (BERT) - 100G.

Loopback Testing

PacketExpert™ 100G supports Smart Loopback capability on two 100 Gbps Optical ports (Port 1 and Port 2). During Smart Loopback, PacketExpert™ 100G analyzes incoming traffic, automatically detects, and swaps Source and Destination Addresses and sends back the traffic on the same port. Smart Loopback handles stacked VLAN and stacked MPLS automatically.

All Port Loopback Testing

All Port Loopback Testing

All Port Loopback Testing

Smart Loopback Testing

Smart Loopback Testing



BERT and Loopback Testing

For testing across a network, the remote PacketExpert™ 100G can be left in Loopback mode. BERT is controlled by the local end PacketExpert™ 100G.

BERT and Loopback Testing

BERT and Loopback Testing

For more information please visit Smart Loopback Testing - 100G.

RFC 2544 Network Testing

PacketExpert™ 100G supports RFC 2544 tests on two 100 Gbps Optical ports (Port 1 and Port 2) on Layers 2, 2.5, and 3. RFC 2544 tests includes Ethernet Throughput, Latency, Frame Loss, and Back-to-Back performance tests in accordance with RFC 2544 specifications. The test is setup such that the traffic can be generated and transmitted on either of the ports and the looped back traffic from the DUT is received on the opposite port validating the test parameters.

  • Throughput - Maximum number of frames per second that can be transmitted without any error
  • Latency - Measures the time required for a frame to travel from the originating device through the network to the destination device
  • Frame Loss - Measures the network’s response in overload conditions
  • Back-to-Back - Measures the maximum number of frames received at full line rate before a frame is lost
RFC 2544 Network Testing

Dual RFC 2544 Network Testing



Single RFC 2544 Network Testing

Single RFC 2544 Network Testing


For more information please visit RFC 2544 Network Testing - 100G.

Use Cases

  • Service Provider Excellence:

    • Cutover and Troubleshooting: Seamlessly validate SLA compliance during critical transitions
    • Mission Critical Circuits: Gain assurance that SLAs are consistently met, ensuring uninterrupted operations

  • Equipment Manufacturer Testing:

    • Development: Facilitate R&D troubleshooting, enhancing product quality and efficiency
    • Regression: Conduct thorough, replicable tests over extended periods to ensure sustained performance
    • Production: Verify equipment readiness for shipment, minimizing deployment-related issues

  • Precision Delay Testing:

    • Network Latency Assessment: Analyze packet traversal times with unparalleled accuracy, identifying bottlenecks
    • Equipment Latency: Pinpoint delays within equipment, enabling timely optimizations

  • Test Bed (Lab) Applications:

    • Traffic Generators: Create realistic network scenarios for in-depth testing and analysis

Accessories

Item Accessories and Cables
SA012 Pelican Case
Standard, necessary for Lunchbox platform only; for housing all accessories cables, connectors, adapters, and manuals		   SA020a Adapter / Converter MM+SM, MTP to LC, 100G to 25G, 10G, 1G, Converter Module
Standard, necessary for converting multi-fiber QSFP28 connector to dual fiber LC connector for 1, 10, 25G rates
SA020b SM LC-to-LC FO Cable, optional
Optional, for SM package, if requested by customer		   SA020c MM LC-to-LC FO Cable
Standard, for MM package
SA020d MM MTP to MTP Cable (2), 5m
Standard, for MM package, the multi-fiber connector on both ends with minimum of 8 fibers		   SA020e SM MTP to MTP Cable (2), 5m
Optional, for SM package, if requested by customer, multi-fiber connector on both ends with a minimum of 8 fibers
SA020i RJ-45 Cable, 6 ft, CAT 6, optional
Optional RJ45 Cable, if requested by the customer		   SA020x LC to LC Loopback Plug (MM)
Standard Loopback Plug, for MM package
SA020y MTP to MTP Multi-Fiber Loopback Plug (MM)
Standard Loopback Plug, for MM package		   SA020z MTP to MTP Multi-Fiber Loopback Plug (SM optional)
Optional Loopback Plug, for SM if requested by the customer
SA020aa QSFP28-100G, 5m DAC Cable
Optional, DAC Cable for 100G 5m in length		   SA020ae QSFP 100G, 5m AOC Cable (MM)
Optional, AOC Cable for 100G 5m in length
SA020ab QSFP-40G, 5m DAC Cable
Optional, DAC Cable for 40G 5m in length		   SA020af QSFP+ 40G, 5m AOC Cable (MM)
Optional, AOC Cable for 40G 5m in length
SA020ac SFP28 25G, 5m DAC Cable
Optional, DAC Cable for 25G 5m in length		   SA020ag SFP28 25G, 5m AOC Cable (MM)
Optional, AOC Cable for 25G 5m in length
SA020ad SFP+ 10G, 5m DAC Cable
Optional, DAC Cable for 10G 5m in length		   SA020ah SFP 10G, 5m AOC Cable (MM)
Optional, AOC Cable for 10G 5m in length

SA020mm
Multi-Mode Accessory Kit (for 2-port 100G tester) (Standard)
Includes the following:
  • SA012 (1) (Pelican Case, included with Lunchbox platform only)
  • SA020a (2) (Adapter / Converter MM+SM, MTP to LC, 100G to 25G, 10G, 1G, Converter Module)
  • SA020c (2) (MM LC-to-LC FO Cable)
  • SA020d (2) (MM MTP to MTP Cable (2), 5m)
  • SA020q (2) (1G MM SFP, requires an adapter)
  • SA020r (2) (10G MM SFP, requires an adapter)
  • SA020t (2) (25G MM SFP, requires an adapter)
  • SA020u (2) (40G MM SFP)
  • SA020v (2) (50G MM SFP (Not/Available), SM provided instead)
  • SA020b (2) (to be used with SA020v) (SM LC-to-LC FO Cable)
  • SA020w (2) (100G MM SFP)
  • SA020x (2) (LC to LC Loopback Plug (MM))
  • SA020y (2) (MTP to MTP Multi-Fiber Loopback Plug (MM))
  
SA020sm
Single-Mode Accessory Kit (for 2-port 100G tester) (Optional)
Includes the following:
  • SA012 (1) (Pelican Case, included with Lunchbox platform only)
  • SA020a (2) (Adapter / Converter MM+SM, MTP to LC, 100G to 25G, 10G, 1G, Converter Module)
  • SA020b (2) (SM LC-to-LC FO Cable)
  • SA020e (2) (SM MTP to MTP Cable (2), 5m)
  • SA020j (2) (1G SM SFP, requires an adapter)
  • SA020k (2) (10G SM SFP, requires an adapter)
  • SA020l (2) (1/10G SM Multirate SFP, requires an adapter)
  • SA020m (2) (25G SM SFP, requires an adapter)
  • SA020n (2) (40G SM SFP)
  • SA020o (2) (50G SM SFP)
  • SA020p (2) (100G SM SFP)
  • SA020z (2) (MTP to MTP Multi-Fiber Loopback Plug (SM))
Item Supported SFP Modules Single Mode (SM) SFPs
SA020f 1G Electrical SFP, RJ-45, optional
Optional SFP, if requested by the customer; Requires SA020i;
SA020g 10G Electrical SFP, RJ-45, optional
Optional SFP, if requested by the customer; Requires SA020i;
SA020h 1/10G Multirate Electrical SFP, RJ-45, optional
Optional SFP, if requested by the customer; Requires SA020i;
SA020j 1G SM SFP, requires an adapter, optional
Optional SFP, for SM package, if requested by the customer
SA020k 10G SM SFP, requires an adapter, optional
Optional SFP, for SM package, if requested by the customer
SA020l 1/10G SM Multirate SFP, requires an adapter, optional
Optional SFP, for SM package, if requested by the customer
SA020m 25G SM SFP, requires an adapter, optional
Optional SFP, for SM package, if requested by the customer
SA020n 40G SM SFP, optional
Optional SFP, for SM package, if requested by the customer
SA020o 50G SM SFP, standard, MM (Not Available)
Standard SFP, for SM package
SA020p 100G SM SFP, optional
Optional SFP, for SM package, if requested by the customer
Item Supported SFP Modules Multi-Mode (MM) SFPs
SA020q 1G MM SFP, requires an adapter
Standard SFP, for MM package
SA020r 10G MM SFP, requires an adapter
Standard SFP, for MM package
SA020s 1/10G MM Multirate SFP, requires an adapter, optional
Optional SFP, for MM if requested by the customer
SA020t 25G MM SFP, requires an adapter
Standard SFP, for MM package
SA020u 40G MM SFP
Standard SFP, for MM package
SA020v 50G MM SFP (Not/Available), SM provided instead
Standard SFP, for MM package
SA020w 100G MM SFP
Standard, SFP, for MM package

Resources

Item Product Description
PXX100 PacketExpert™ 100G Platform (1, 10, 25G)
PXX101 Basic Software (Required for PXX100)
PXX103 Additional 2-port card with Basic Software
PXX105 40G, 50G, 100G Optional Software
PXX109 Optional Software for Test Automation using Scripting with client-server APIs
PXX106 PacketExpert™ 100G – One card / 2 Port Platform with MM Kit
PXX108 PacketExpert™ 100G – One card / 2 Port Platform with SM Kit
PXX107 PacketExpert™ 100G - Two Card / 4 Port Platform with MM Kit
PXX110 PacketExpert™ 100G - Two Card / 4 Port Platform with SM Kit
PXX10X PacketExpert™ 100G – 4 Card Platform / 8 Port Platform
Item Related Hardware and Software
PXN100 PacketExpert™ 10GX
PXN101 10G option for PXN100
Brochures
PacketExpert™ 100G - Comprehensive Ethernet/IP Testing Solution
PacketExpert™ 100G - RFC 2544 Network Testing
PacketExpert™ 100G - ExpertSAM™
PacketExpert™ 100G - Multi Stream Traffic Generator and Analyzer
PacketExpert™ 100G - AOC and DAC Cables
Forward Error Correction Capabilities in PacketExpert™ 100G
GL Product Lists
Presentation
PacketExpert™ 100G - Comprehensive Ethernet/IP Testing Solution
PacketExpert™ 100G - Multi Stream Traffic Generator Analyzer
PacketExpert™ 100G - ExpertSAM™
Webinar
Wire-speed Ethernet and IP testing up to 100 Gbps