Knowledge Base

Learn how to configure and use our test tool, vIOLett, to test Time Sensitive Networking to be better prepared for certification testing. vIOLett includes 802.1AS (gPTP); 802.1BA and more for coverage all within the vIOLett for Avnu test package. Check out this demo and install video for more information on vIOLett.

The Open Compute Project (OCP) in conjunction with the UNH-IOL, has projects underway to integrate and validate new form factors for using PCIe in servers to address server needs. Let’s now review the limitations typically faced by server manufacturers, such as thermal considerations, connector size, and data rates, and solutions to these limitations in this interview with David Woolf and Mike Klempa at the lab.

The UNH-IOL offers testing for the Broadband Forum Gfast Testing Certification Program which now includes 212 MHz certification. Testing for device types, including, DPU Devices, CPE, and Gfast chipsets. Learn more about our group test events, Plugfests, the current and future state of Gfast Certification our latest video.

Take a video tour of our wireless testing here at the lab with our state of the art octoScope Test Bed. Our wireless testing focuses on performance and quality of experience for the 802.11 WiFi technologies. Our octoScope testbed includes two 26” octoboxes, and one 38” octoBox with controllable turntable. It can also be configured for video over Wi-Fi testing, mesh testing (self-forming, self-healing functions of a mesh), high speed roaming and other wireless tests.

The forthcoming Broadband Forum G.fast Certification Program, based on the ID-337 test plan, presents a number of unique challenges, including requirements for testing multiple CPEs (customer premise equipment) connected to a DPU (demarcation point unit) using a multi-pair cable. This white paper describes an approach to the construction of a copper cable plant...

The IEEE 802.11 family of wireless LAN protocols defines multiple physical layers implementations of which direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS, 802.11b) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM, 802.11a/g) are currently the most popular. Market pressures are forcing the convergence of multiple wireless protocols into the same access device, and shortened product design cycles dictate rapid prototyping of new or enhanced protocols. The computationally intensive signal processing algorithms and high data rates associated with these protocols necessitate dedicated hardware implementation of some portions of the signal processing chain, yet allocating separate hardware resources for each of the standards would make the "universal access device" bulky and inefficient. Re-using the same software-reconfigurable hardware to handle different processing algorithms would enable an efficient, flexible alternative to current prototyping and implementation methods. In this thesis, the feasibility of using Software Defined Radio architectures as a prototyping tool for wireless LAN baseband signal processor implementations is explored. Signal processing architectures and algorithms for DSSS and OFDM protocols were developed in the Simulink and Matlab environments, and were then translated to VHDL hardware descriptions. A reference design for a OFDM transmitter was synthesized for implementation on a Xilinx Virtex II FPGA, and functional and timing simulations verified the design correctness.

Fibre Channel is a computer communications protocol designed to meet the many requirements related to the ever increasing demand for high performance information transfer.

A technical overview of Fibre Channel

Fibre Channel, which is used for high-speed data transfers, supports several higher layer protocols including Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) and Internet Protocol (IP). Until now, SCSI has been the only widely used protocol over Fibre Channel. IP over Fibre Channel had not been successful mainly due to inadequate specification in the standards. Currently IP specifications have reached a stage where interoperable implementations are possible. Although some support does exist for SCSI on Linux, there is no support for IP on Linux. This thesis aims at designing, developing, testing and evaluating a Fibre Channel driver for IP on Linux.

Introduction to the Model Industry Processor Interface technology and two ways of testing products associated with the MIPI technology.

Check out this podcast as we discuss why testing v6 is crucial, and look at interoperability initiatives including the USGv6 program, a NIST effort to spur v6 adoption. Topics discussed include:

• Why IPv6 interoperability testing is important
• What gets tested and why?
• How IPv6-only deployments are impacting interoperability testing
• How has IPv6 testing impacted overall deployment of IPv6
• Why USGv6 has been critical to IPv6 adoption
• Why IPv6-only is likely to happen sooner than expected
• What should IPv6/IPv4 feature parity look like

Join us for this 20-minute webinar discussing:

• Mission and focus of the UNH-IOL in the technology industry
• The UNH-IOL contributions to the NBASE-T Alliance in leading multi-vendor interoperability events, and demonstrating NBASE-T capabilities and benefits such as 6-around-1 cable testing and Downshift
• The importance of electrical conformance testing offered for NBASE-T products 
• Strategies to develop the next generation of networking engineers

Please join UNH-IOL’s Senior Engineer, Lincoln Lavoie, on this webinar as he discusses expanded WiFi testing capabilities based on the Broadband Forum’s WT-398 test plan, a set of industry-agreed upon performance testing metrics for WiFi systems that enable service providers to differentiate service offerings and assure wireless quality of service for customers. 

Join the UNH-IOL as we walk thru which tests are mandatory for Plugfest #9 based on testing from our previous Plugfest (#8). We will review for both NVMe drives and NVMe-oF targets. In addition, we will walk thru the new tests that have been added for NVMe v1.3 features.

In this presentation, Lincoln Lavoie, details new and expanded WiFi testing and measurement capabilities being offered at the lab. Robust testing and measurement is key to the continuous improvement of broadband services, and WiFi performance has become critical to that equation. This is a webinar available on our YouTube page.
 

In this webinar Kerry Munson & David Woolf, UNH-IOL, will walk thru new test areas and requirements related to NVMe-MI and NVMe-OF. We will also have a walkthrough on IOL INTERACT including recent updates. This will help attendees prepare for the Plugfest held on Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2017.

Learn about the history of BASE-T Ethernet and how the technology evolved over time including adjustments to technology, all in this downloadable info graphic. 

Correct time and timing is one of the foundational elements in enabling the communication and orchestration of technologies for accurate and optimal wide area monitoring, protection and control (WAMPAC) in the power industry. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Electrical and Electronic Engineer-Standard Association (IEEE-SA) conducted a workshop to gather inputs from stakeholders to identify, analyze, and provide guidance on technologies, standards and methodologies for addressing the practical timing challenges that are currently being experienced in wide area time synchronization. 

An Introduction to TCP/IP.

This is a collection of published papers assembled as a reference for those involved in characterizing and specifying high-performance clocks and oscillators. It is an interim replacement for NBS Monograph 140, Time and Frequency: Theory and Fundamentals, an older volume of papers edited by Byron E. Blair. This current volume includes tutorial papers, papers on standards and definitions, and a collection of papers detailing specific measurement and analysis techniques. The discussion in the introduction to the volume provides a guide to the content of the papers, and tables and graphs provide further help in organizing methods described in the papers

The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) hosted its second TRansparent Interconnection of Lots of Links (TRILL) Interoperability Test Event the week of May 20 - May 24, 2013 at its 32,000+ square-foot facility in Durham, New Hampshire. The test event brought together implementers of TRILL as well as test equipment manufacturers that support TRILL. The purpose of the test event was to gain a perspective on the current status of TRILL implementation and interoperability. Participants included Extreme Networks, Hewlett-Packard Networking, Huawei Technologies, and Ixia.

Open Networking has created new opportunities and new challenges for Data Center designers and implementers. Many customers are used to deploying monolithic solutions from a single integrator. When implementing Open Networking solutions from multiple providers, a few key questions arise: Will it all work? Are there common interfaces I can use to monitoring and control the hardware? How do Data Center designers and implementers ensure that the components they’ve chosen will be interoperable? Will the Open Networking Solution work as well as or better than a traditional monolithic solution?

This presentation was used in a Light Reading online seminar - it provides an overview the evolving networks of IoT and operators’ networks will need to evolve in order to address this diverse IoT opportunity.

Not familiar with TSN? Refer to the following overview summarizing activities and materials from Michael Johas Teener (IEEE 802.1 TSN Chair), Dr Edward Lee (UC Berkley), and numerous other parties, conferences and events.

Get involved!

The UNH-IOL is an approved RVU Alliance Independent Certification Vendor (ICV). With a UNH-IOL Home Networking (HNC) membership companies are able to certify an unlimited amount of devices in a year. For companies looking to obtain RVU Alliance certification for only a few devices a year, the HNC offers pay-as-you-go RVU test services. Please note, these test services are available to RVU Alliance™ members only.