Solution Overview

Native QSFP-DD Test Platform

Network bandwidth and performance are growing at a rapid pace to support

emerging applications such as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning, and

Artificial Intelligence (AI). Since IEEE 802.3cd was released, Merchant Switch Chips

Providers and Network equipment manufacturers have developed highly flexible

multi-rate products. Service Providers and Hyperscale data centers are deploying

multi-rate networking infrastructure solutions to answer the market demands.

With these multi-rate requirements, customers demand higher density and costperformance efficiency test equipment. Flexibility to support 50G PAM4 and 25G/10G

NZR bandwidth also is needed to validate the switches and routers for data center

networking interconnect.

Spirent A2 400G Appliance was developed to meet these specific needs with its

industry-leading 2x density and best cost-performance ratio advantages. Spirent’s

native QSFP-DD platform is a 2U rack-mountable appliance and can be configured

to support 400/200/100/50G (50G PAM4) and 200/100/50/40/25/10G (NRZ) speed

modes. The appliance also supports Auto-Negotiation and Link Training for all

speed modes.

The A2 Appliance supports Spirent’s Smart Port Technology, a licensed feature that

allows single port and speed upgrades for maximum value and flexibility. A highdensity 100G mode option is available allowing support for 4xQSFP28 from a

single QSFP-DD port achieving a maximum of 64x100G* ports from a single 2U platform.

Applications

Cloud Computing/Streaming Services — Validate data plane QoS on thousands of flows at line rate and test complex routing, data center and access protocols on switches and routers.

Data Center ToR and EoR Switches and Fabrics — Validate forwarding performance, latency, MAC capacity and functional capabilities of ultra-high-scale, next generation enabled multi-terabit cloud data center fabrics. This platform will allow synchronized timing of 255 systems with no requirement for external timing devices or specialized cabling.

Next-gen Routers and Switches — Test the latest generation of core routers and switch with high-scale, multiprotocol topologies and high bandwidth deployments.

Features & Benefits

• 8 and 16 port variants for 2U high appliance, delivers the highest density high speed Ethernet solution

• Each port supports following: – PAM4: 1x400G, 2x200G, 4x100G, 8x50G – NRZ: 1x200G, 2x100G, 4x50G, 2x40G, 8x25G, 8x10G

• Available single port upgrades

• High density 64xQSFP28 port option—requires external accessory and license

• Support for Ethernet (FEC), and Auto Negotiation (AN) and Link Training (LT) for all supported speeds and full breakouts

• Protocol testing for L2/3 routing/ switching and data center test cases*

• Full chassis chaining and external timing synch available via direct connect, NTP, PTP, GPS, and CDMA

• Full suite of Spirent TestCenter protocols and test packages are available

• Industry’s highest density QSFP-DD test appliance

• PAM4 and NRZ in one platform • MACsec supported

• Provides large capacity testing for a variety of services

• 8 to 16 port upgrade available via licensing • Optimized to offer best value to performance

• Industry’s highest density QSFP-DD

test appliance

• PAM4 and NRZ in one platform

• MACsec supported

• Provides large capacity testing for a

variety of services

• 8 to 16 port upgrade available via

licensing

• Optimized to offer best value to

performance