Product category:
Stand-Alone Instruments
News Release from: Agilent Technologies Europe | Subject: 8Gbit/s 1736 module
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 31 July 2007
Module enables storage system
development
Dual-purpose SAN tester and protocol analyser for 8Gbit/s Fibre Channel allows engineers to speed up the design and development of next-generation storage devices.
Agilent Technologies has introduced the industry's only dual-purpose SAN tester and protocol analyser for 8Gbit/s Fibre Channel (FC) Combining realistic network stimulus of the SAN tester application with sophisticated protocol analysis and troubleshooting capabilities allows engineers to speed up the design and development of next-generation storage devices
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 17 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
More modules for multifunction measurement unit
Two new modules join the 19 modules already offered to make up a high-performance family of eight-slot mainframe switches with built-in DMMs.
Analyser options appeal to comms designers
New capabilities extend the analysis power of Agilent's signal and spectrum analysers, enabling them to address even the most difficult application challenges.
Fibre Channel is the dominant technology used in the storage industry, and 8Gbit/s Fibre Channel is the interface for all next-generation storage devices.
The new Agilent 8Gbit/s 1736 module with the de facto industry-standard SAN tester application helps storage equipment manufactures conduct realistic tests on their device under test (DUT) early in the development and qualification cycle.
This helps ensure the DUT meets the stringent requirements of the data-storage industry.
Further reading
Attenuation controllers aid component measurement
A novel attenuation sweep function allows the user to set the desired start/stop attenuation, step size, dwell time and sweep time of each measurement.
Analyser turns to RF component characterisation
Software converts the PNA-X microwave network analyser into a high-performance nonlinear analyser for researching and designing active RF components.
Signal generators bring RF accuracy to ATE
Provide the same industry-leading capabilities, performance and form factor of the popular MXG RF platform - all at a reduced price.
The same 1736 module can also be used as a protocol analyser, which helps users quickly identify protocol or performance issues.
These capabilities shorten test time and foster the development of next-generation Fibre Channel products.
"The introduction of the dual-purpose 8Gbit/s Fibre Channel module is a key part of Agilent's strategy for the storage market", says David Churchill, Vice President of Agilent's Network and Digital Solutions Business Unit.
"With the new module, Agilent now provides a complete spectrum of Fibre Channel test tools - from physical-layer compliance tests tools to upper-layer performance, scalability test and debugging tools".
"Agilent is the only company able to provide test expertise for all aspects of development, which is highly valued by our customers".
The new 8Gbit/s module supports full line rate 8Gbit/s as well as 4, 2 and 1Gbit/s, allowing users to fully test all supported Fibre Channel line rates with a single module.
New capabilities of the SAN tester application include additional error-injection features and a sophisticated flow-control stress test that validates ASIC designs early on and increases the test coverage.
The Gbit/s protocol analyser includes Easy Flow and a context-sensitive display to help better visualise the protocol interactions; Agilent's unique dual-channel trigger sequencer to help them get to the root cause of problems faster; and post-processing capabilities that help users quickly identify protocol or performance issues.
"Product quality is very important to us", says Laura Mikrut, Senior Director of Switch Testing at QLogic Corp.
"We are dedicated to ensuring that all of our products meet the highest quality and performance".
"The Agilent 173x Series Fibre Channel Test Solution has been our test solution of choice at 4Gbit/s".
"We plan to use the new Agilent 8Gbit/s modules in our development and validation to ensure that we exceed market and customer expectations with our new 8Gbit/s introduction".
Consistent with the Agilent System Protocol Test architecture, the 8Gbit/s module is scalable up to 64 ports.
It is also backward-compatible with the previous three generations of modules (1, 2 and 4Gbit/s modules).
The System Protocol Test platform is multiprotocol and supports cross-correlation with other technologies, such as PCI Express generation 1.0 and PCI Express 2.0 (PCI-E).
This allows a system-level view with a single protocol trace display, cross-triggering, and correlated timestamp and markers that are essential for engineers developing next-generation storage controllers, HBAs and storage ICs.
The Agilent 1736 module is available for order now, with prices starting at US $48,000.
• Agilent Technologies Europe: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
