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Empirix, Shenick and CT Labs Perform First Simultaneous Test of VoIP Network Device under Both Voice and Data Traffic Loads; Multimedia Test Environment Evaluates Quality of Service Characteristics and Security Integrity of VoIP Network DeviceBEDFORD, Mass. & DUBLIN, Ireland --(Business Wire)-- Jan. 12, 2006 -- Empirix(R) Inc., the leading provider of testing and monitoring solutions for VoIP, contact center and Web technologies, announced today that its Hammer automated test equipment was used to perform a comprehensive multimedia assessment of Juniper Networks' Netscreen ISG2000 SIP-aware firewall. The test, hosted and executed by independent test lab CT Labs, utilized Empirix's Hammer(R) equipment for simulating Voice over IP (VoIP) signaling and media and evaluating voice quality, and the diversifEye(TM) tester from Shenick Network Systems for emulating internet mix traffic and generating security attacks. The goal of the test was to subject a device, in this case the Juniper ISG2000 firewall, to several dimensions of traffic, control plane stimuli and security attacks while assessing the impact on voice quality, explained Chris Bajorek, Director of CT Labs and the test architect. The test involved the simulation of both voice and data traffic simultaneously with realistic application and session-level intelligence as opposed to simplistic packet and protocol load blasting. "This type of testing methodology utilizing complex, real traffic flows is the absolute best way to ensure live network performance," said Bajorek. "We brought together two best-of-breed emulation platforms into a single test environment, and as a result were able to provide a rich mix of real-world traffic, similar to what would be found in a typical high-utilization enterprise network environment running IP-VPNs for data services and seeking to turn-up VoIP over the same infrastructure." This rich, application-level test environment arms service providers and Network Equipment Manufacturers (NEMs) with a realistic and deterministic multi-service testing methodology. It provides more detailed and accurate performance data than what can be derived from testing voice and data aspects of networks individually. That in turn helps to accelerate testing cycles, even while ensuring that devices and services are more thoroughly tested than ever before. "This expanded test environment is extremely timely and needed as service providers and NEMs prepare for multi-service networks such as those enabled by IMS," said Duane Sword, Vice President of Product Management at Empirix. "Thorough testing has substantial business impact, including speeding time to market for NEMs, and helping service providers get revenue-generating services to customers more quickly." Sword also recognized Juniper Networks for their support of the project, which enabled CT Labs to bring together best-of-breed infrastructure for the test. "Juniper's participation underscores their culture of participating in proof-of-concept for emerging communications technologies," said Sword. Robert Winters, Chief Marketing Officer at Shenick, noted that CT Labs' testing methodology is a substantial improvement over what NEMs and service providers were required to do in the past, which was effectively to test their products and services separately for voice and data traffic. "CT Labs has done the hard part in designing the methodology and test environment. Now, NEMs and service providers have the choice of utilizing an independent lab such as CT Labs for testing, or implementing the same best-of-breed test solutions in their own labs." "VoIP device manufacturers and service providers are struggling with how to certify their products and services for multi-service networks," said Jessy F. Cavazos, Manager of the Communications Test Program at research firm Frost & Sullivan. "This testing methodology is useful not only for the VoIP devices and services being rolled out today, but for the IMS architectures being rollout out in the future. We expect to see a lot more of this type of testing going forward." Free summary report on testing methodology available online To download the CT Labs report titled, "Real World Testing of VoIP Networks," visit www.empirix.com/ctlabs-juniper. For more information on Empirix products and services, call 1-866-EMPIRIX or visit www.empirix.com. For more information on Shenick products and services, visit www.shenick.com. For more information on CT Labs services, visit www.ct-labs.com. Empirix's Hammer products are the industry's most widely-used VoIP and TDM test solutions, as verified by four consecutive Frost & Sullivan market surveys. Since the introduction of its first VoIP test system in 1995, Empirix has expanded its Hammer product family to include a full range of testing platforms, products and services that span the complete development and deployment lifecycle for next-generation services. Leading network equipment manufacturers, service providers, independent labs and enterprises rely on Empirix's proven Hammer VoIP testing technology and patented innovations to cost-efficiently verify the functionality, performance and quality of service of next-generation equipment and networks. About Shenick Established in 2000 and based in Dublin, Shenick has deployed its diversifEye integrated network, application and security attack emulation and performance assurance test systems throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Major IP-oriented network service providers, communications equipment manufacturers, large enterprises and governments rely on Shenick's diversifEye to assess their network, application and security infrastructure performance limitations. Shenick's diversifEye addresses key next-generation converged network and application performance issues covering Triple Play, Security Attack Mitigation, Traffic Shaping/Peer to Peer (P2P), Application Server, Metro Ethernet and IPv4/IPv6 hybrid network deployments. For further information please visit www.shenick.com. About Empirix Empirix delivers a comprehensive range of testing and monitoring solutions that assure the performance of next-generation networks, contact centers and Web-based applications. Empirix provides products, services and support to thousands of customers worldwide, including Global 2000 enterprises, network equipment manufacturers and service providers. Headquartered in Bedford, Mass., Empirix has offices throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.empirix.com. Empirix and Hammer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Empirix Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. |
