VANTAGE - Layer 2 - 3 Ethernet Production Tester

Vantage is a test solution for network devices that use Ethernet traffic, such as switches, NICs, routers, GPON devices, cable modems, EOC, power modems, and so on.

The solution consists of dedicated hardware and software from an experienced test and measurement engineer and is flexible, scalable and very easy to use.

Vantage helps Networking Equipment Manufacturers (NEMs) quickly identify performance issues and test new features before the equipment under test leaves the factory.

This low investment in pre-production testing and quality assurance improves customer satisfaction and productivity.

Vantage is all about usability. The easy-to-use software provides quick access to powerful automation features that make it easy for production line operators to perform comprehensive tests with just a few minutes of training – at the touch of a button, complex test and reporting processes can be performed.

• Predefined production test cases
• Simple development of new test cases
• Sequential and batch test modes without manual intervention
• Pass/error threshold preconfiguration

Vantage Compared To Valkyrie
Vantage and Valkyrie are based on the same technology, but there are some essential differences¬¬¬. Here’s the comparison:
	Vantage	Valkyrie
Test modules	Wide range of test modules for all speeds from 100M to 400GE	Comprehensive range of test modules for all speeds from 100M to 400GE, including multiple not supported by Vantage.
Chassis	1U and 4U chassis	1U and 4U chassis
Port density	Fewer options than Valkyrie	Very high port density
Various Test Applications:
Vantage is responsible for testing production lines, while Valkyrie is responsible for testing research and development. Vantage is very easy to use and requires no technical background. Valkyrie is a professional testing tool that requires good knowledge of Ethernet and network infrastructure.
	Vantage	Valkyrie
UI	Web UI – Python based	Windows APP
Test automation	Highly automated test environment: automatic link status check and test run	Requires interactive configuration and manual test implementation with UI
Test configuration	Pre-defined test cases and scenarios; simple and repeated test setup, no technical background required	Complex test parameter configurations, learning curve is longer, requires professional network and test engineering background
Test execution	Three steps for executing a test case, several tests with different settings for different DUTs can be performed simultaneously	A test setup for a single DUT (Device Under Test) in most environments
Various Test Results:
Vantage provides a simple pass/failure result mechanism. Valkyrie provides comprehensive results that are much more detailed for further analysis.
	Vantage	Valkyrie
Real-time statistics	Not supported	Supported
Chart statistics	Not supported	Supported
Statistics in reports	Simple reports just display: TX/RX packets, loss, loss rate, latency and test run or failure	L1/L2 TX/RX (Mbit/s, Packets/s, Packets/s, Packets, Bytes)< Loss, payload integrity errors, sequence errors, incorrect orders, faulty orders Minimum latency, maximum latency, average latency time Minimum Jitter, Maximum Jitter, Average Jitter
Log	Simple log file content	Very detailed log
	Statistics logging not supported	Statistics logging supported
Various Software Functions:
Vantage is used for production line testing – most functions and configurations are pre-defined, and repeated in very short test duration. Valkyrie is used for a huge range of test scenarios and supports complex configurations and extended testing.
	Vantage	Valkyrie
RFC2544	Not supported	Supported
RFC2889	Not supported	Supported
RFC3918	Not supported	Supported
Y.1564	Not supported	Supported
Capture & Replay	Not supported	Supported
Port configuration	IP address configuration only	Full version of port configuration
Stream configuration	Not supported	Multiple stream support and comprehensive stream configuration
Header configuration	Not supported	Loading and editing any package header
Filtration	Not supported	Supported
Introduce errors	Not supported	Supported
Loopback	Not supported	Supported
Multicast	Not supported	Supported

Software

Vantage Manager

The Vantage hardware is controlled via an easy-to-use web interface called VantageManager.

VantageManager works with any web browser and requires no understanding of the network or tests to work.

A selection of predefined test cases is available and new test cases can be developed by Xena’s engineering team. The test cases can be configured and combined by Xena’s engineers or customers to meet individual needs.

The software automatically generates reports that document the tests. These are clearly arranged, whereby on the title page summarized DUT ports with pass/fail mechanisms and a list of failed ports, which failed with probable causes, are indicated. Further details will be presented later in the report when a detailed test analysis is required.

The Vantage test case library includes:
Router test	Bidirectional traffic generation between WAN and LAN ports, which can be multiple LAN ports to one WAN port or one WAN port to multiple LAN ports. Test of throughput and failures. The test can be configured with values for packet size, bandwidth, packet loss and other stream parameters. The result of the test is a pass/fail message and in case of errors details about the error for later analysis.
Two-way interaction test	Generate traffic between all ports, or between odd and even ports, or in one direction, with or without VLAN tagged frames. The result of the test is a pass/fail message and in case of errors details about the error for later analysis.
Aggregation test	Supports the generation of one-to-many and many-to-one-traffic.
Loopback test	Loopback test of a configurable number of ports on e.g. a DUT such as a switch or a router. The test can be configured with values for packet size, bandwidth, packet loss and other stream parameters. The result of the test is a pass/fail message and in case of errors details about the error for later analysis.
PON aggregation test	Data traffic is transmitted one-to-many and packets are sent to both the uplink and downlink. The test can be configured with values for packet size, bandwidth, packet loss and other stream parameters. The result of the test is a pass/fail message and in case of errors details about the error for later analysis.

HARDWARE

Easy to transport VantageCompact

Vantage solutions are available in 2 packages: The fixed 1U VantageCompact chassis – there are 4 versions supporting tests from 1GE to 100GE.

Robust, high-density test chassis

Alternatively, you can choose the 4U VantageBay 12-slot modular, high-port density chassis with 12 slots for test modules that supports speeds from 1GE to 400GE over a variety of interfaces: SFP, SFP+, QSFP, QSFP, QSFP28, QSFP56 & RJ45.

Line speed test modules

Vantage has pure production test modules that can be ordered and installed in any combination. The robust housing has a very strong mounting mechanism for the test modules. This ensures high reliability in demanding production environments and during transport.

The “7-speed” Van-400G-7S-1P supports tests with 400G, 200G, 100GE, 50GE, 40GE, 25GE and 10GE. Not only can you test the 400 Gbps devices, you can also save money by testing six more speeds with the same test module.

Download Vantage Demo