Exfo Electro-Optical Engineering has brought out a new module for its test system aimed at the development and deployment of 40- and 100 Gbps Ethernet networks. 

The IQS-85100G Packet Blazer is a CFP-based 100 Gbps Ethernet test module for the company’s IQS-600 Integrated Qualification System platform that can be used to validate physical-layer characteristics and accurately benchmark Ethernet/IP performance.

The IEEE 802.3ba draft specification for 100 Gbps and 40 Gbps Ethernet technologies allows for the use of parallel optics, which Exfo says deeply influences layer 1 implementation, necessitating a comprehensive, flexible testing solution that supports CFP-based client interface configurations.

At layer 1, the Packet Blazer can thoroughly test the physical coding sublayer (PCS) and perform bit-error-rate testing on optical or electrical interfaces. At layers 2 and 3, users can generate and analyze 100 Gbps line rate Ethernet and IP packets, as well as perform comprehensive EtherBERT tests.