Conformance, Interoperability, and Performance Test Services for MPLS, ATM, Frame Relay and IP Technologies
Telcordia Technologies, a leading authority on standards conformance and network interoperability, operates a test center for broadband data communications equipment. The Broadband Network Integration Test Center provides Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay and Internet Protocol (IP) testing services for service providers, and manufacturers of telecommunications equipment. With the use of the Telcordia® Conformance, Performance, and Interoperability Test Suites, Telcordia can help corporations to ensure successful and accurate results in network technology tests or network equipment tests before commercial deployment.
The Broadband Network Integration Test Center features extensive equipment and test equipment assets from leading vendors. Telcordia engineers use the Test Center to provide end-to-end network integration test services. Equipment manufacturers and service providers can contact Telcordia to discuss in-house equipment testing, or equipment, network and service testing at a customer facility. We will collaborate with you to define the specific scope and objectives for cost-effective integration testing.
What is conformance and interoperability testing, and why is it important?
Conformance testing measures how accurately a product implements a technical specification. The degree of compliance helps vendors and users of the equipment to evaluate how the equipment will perform in the network where it will integrate with other network devices to provide an offered network service. Interoperability testing measures if two or more products correctly implement the technical specifications necessary to ensure successful integration supporting particular communication protocols. Conformance and interoperability testing is important to identify the non-compliance aspects of the equipment being tested, as defined by accepted standards in the industry, that may interfere in the quality of the network service being provided. High quality performing products available for commercial use will accelerate widespread deployment of the network technologies and their associated network services.
For service providers, conformance and interoperability testing is necessary to reduce the probability of errors being introduced during the network integration period, which can impact commercial deployment schedules. Besides the financial costs associated with the resources required to support an extended deployment schedule, other costs may manifest in lost market share or of customers experiencing the impact of poorly tested services.
For equipment manufacturers, conformance and interoperability testing services by Telcordia will provide a third-party vendor neutral approach to equipment conformity evaluation, useful for marketing purposes. When used during the development period, these test services or the use of Telcordia® Test Suites enable equipment manufacturers to rapidly re-test applicability to relevant protocol standards as new functions or features are being incorporated into the equipment. A product that is being considered for selection by the service providers will benefit from an independent assessment made by Telcordia, which will accurately reflect the performance of the product under the deemed conditions. Many service providers will require proof of compliance before accepting a product into its network. By taking a proactive approach, equipment manufacturers have the opportunity to any correct non-compliances, and improve the marketability of the product.
Consulting Services
The Telcordia conformance, performance and interoperability test services will evaluate if the products released or installed are reliable and in full conformance with the applicable technical specifications, or if it will interoperate as expected with other devices. The evaluation requires Telcordia to set up the necessary configurations to test the conditions for the network equipment at the Test Center, or at your facility. Telcordia then uses the Telcordia® MPLS, ATM, Frame Relay and IP Conformance, Performance, and Interoperability Test Suites to quickly and accurately determine compliance to protocol standards, or degree of interoperability. We provide a report of the network equipment test results, and perform an analysis of the results in a written report to you. Telcordia then works with your team as necessary, or desired, to overcome any identified errors in the network equipment or service tests, and to perform regression testing as required. Engaging Telcordia provides your team access to expertise within the Telcordia team during the equipment test or network integration period.
Test Suites
Alternatively, for our customers who prefer the convenience of performing these tests themselves, we make available for licensing the Telcordia® MPLS, ATM, Frame Relay and IP Conformance, Performance, and Interoperability Test Suites, developed by Telcordia Engineers. Automated, accurate and repeatable, the Telcordia® Test Suites improves the efficiency of testing to reduce the time-to-market factor and the overall testing schedule for readying equipment for network integration purposes. Using an appropriate test platform that can be arranged through Telcordia, equipment manufacturers or service providers can execute and view the results of the network equipment tests. The Telcordia® Test Suites comprise comprehensive pre-defined test cases - each test case tests a logical unit of functionality and returns a pass, fail, or inconclusive result. Although the Telcordia® Test Suites are offered as convenient, high-quality, off-the-shelf products, Telcordia offers more than packaged software. We also provide our licensees with expert consulting support by going on-site to support your testing efforts as required to ensure your test efforts are successful. As examples, we can provide an overview of the Telcordia® Test Suites for the most effective use of the test suites, network configuration support, test resource augmentation, or protocol consulting expertise to help you to evaluate the results of your network tests.