With multiclass Ethernet services being deployed globally, legacy test standards such as RFC 2544 are no longer adequate to validate today’s service-level agreements (SLA).

​

​

​

With customers thirsty for a new test methodology due to aggressive deployment plans, largely driven by the migration to packet-based mobile backhaul infrastructure worldwide, EXFO was the first to introduce the recently approved ITU-T Y.1564 standard (formerly known as Y.156sam) to the market on its modular Ethernet testing solution—even before the standard was officially approved.





Having initiated the concept for the new ITU-T Y.1564 standard in June 2009, and having worked closely with industry experts throughout its adoption process, EXFO recognized the urgent need for a more efficient and complete way to commission and troubleshoot.

​

Aligned with the requirements of today’s Ethernet services, the EtherSAM test methodology enables complete validation of all SLA parameters in a single test to ensure optimized quality of service (QoS).

​

​

Contrary to other methodologies, EtherSAM supports new multiservice test offerings. It can simulate all types of services that will run on the network and simultaneously qualify all key SLA parameters for each of these services. Moreover, it validates the QoS mechanisms provisioned in the network to prioritize the different service types, resulting in more accurate validation and much faster deployment and troubleshooting.
Measurement of All KPIs in a Single Test

​

While existing methodologies like RFC 2544 only provide the capability to measure the maximum performances of a link, EtherSAM uses a validation approach where KPIs are measured and compared to expected values for each service. This approach focuses on proving that KPIs are met while in guaranteed traffic conditions.