Spirent Tech-X Flex, User Manual

Page 1: ...Tech X Flex Base Unit User Guide...

Page 2: ...Spirent Communications 20324 Seneca Meadows Parkway Germantown MD 20876 USA 1 301 444 2400 800 385 0110 USA only www spirent com...

Page 3: ...ols 1 4 1 2 5 LED indicators 1 6 1 2 6 Base unit physical interfaces ports 1 8 1 3 General product handling and operation 1 9 1 3 1 Powering on off and sleep mode 1 9 1 3 2 Attaching detaching and han...

Page 4: ...Setup 2 5 2 3 1 Wi Fi Setup Scan 2 5 Setup Scan Wi Fi Setup 2 6 Results Scan Wi Fi Setup 2 6 2 3 2 Wi Fi Setup Connect 2 6 Setup Connect Wi Fi Setup 2 7 Results Connect Wi Fi Setup 2 9 2 3 3 Wi Fi Se...

Page 5: ...s 4 4 4 7 Channel Guide Network Setup 4 5 4 7 1 About channel guides 4 7 4 7 2 Importing channel guides to the unit 4 7 4 8 Download Channel Guide 4 9 4 9 Wireless ON OFF 4 9 4 10 Calibrate Touchscree...

Page 6: ...multicast 5 25 Quality measurement overview and additional results descriptions 5 27 How the analysis works An overview 5 27 About MOS 5 28 About gap and burst states 5 29 Other test results 5 29 Addi...

Page 7: ...ocedures for handling and operating the unit Maintenance on page 1 15 Describes maintenance requirements and procedures for the unit Technical support on page 1 17 Provides contact information 1 1 Doc...

Page 8: ...riber A customer receiving broadband services from a provider Additionally note the following common acronyms FTTH FTTP Fiber To The Home Fiber To The Premises IP Internet Protocol IPTV IP Television...

Page 9: ...cs gathering functions Using detachable modules the unit can be expanded to support different types of protocols and devices such as the MoCA module which provides an interface for in home MoCA networ...

Page 10: ...o join a wireless network and perform IP based testing to verify connectivity and sectionalize issues IP video analysis The unit is able to join a video stream and measure video quality and channel ch...

Page 11: ...min Port 2 Set Date and Time 3 Auto Sleep Mode 4 Version Info 6 Channel Guide Network Setup 7 Download Channel Guide 8 Wireless ON OFF 0 Record Manager Back MoCA Wi Fi 10 100 System ENTER EXIT 1 2 ABC...

Page 12: ...button or a text entry box Exit Halts the current action or test often returning the display to the previous screen Backlight Adjusts the brightness of the display backlight Help Used as a backspace...

Page 13: ...interface and or link with a far end device DATA Flashes when sending or receiving data over the active interface For example when using the 10 100 interface the LED flashes when an Ethernet frame is...

Page 14: ...tro Wi Fi 10 100 System IP Video Specs 1 2 6 Base unit physical interfaces ports Figure 1 2 Base unit right side Figure 1 3 Base unit left side Note the following Ethernet 10 100 port 1 1 2 Ethernet 1...

Page 15: ...unit to save power but return to active testing more quickly than a full boot up To restore the unit from sleep mode press the power button once again Note that the restoration process causes the unit...

Page 16: ...rews Once a module is attached and has booted up a menu corresponding to the module functionality will appear over the F1 function key For example when the MoCA module is attached the F1 menu shows Mo...

Page 17: ...antenna Figure 1 6 Antenna positioned for typical use following attachment 1 3 4 Attaching the strap A strap with a hook is provided to hang the unit while working To attach the strap first make sure...

Page 18: ...ideo Specs Figure 1 7 Sliding the open strap end through the strap mount Next feed the open end through the bottom of the buckle as shown in the following figure Figure 1 8 Feeding the strap through t...

Page 19: ...rmation see Calibrate Touchscreen on page 4 10 1 3 6 Selecting the active interface While testing with the unit the first step is to select the appropriate interface with one of the function keys such...

Page 20: ...items to activate the desired function test 3 For tests that require input parameters adjust those parameters as necessary using the navigation arrows and or touchscreen For free form text entries pla...

Page 21: ...re a small amount of shutdown time before terminating completely 1 3 9 Saving results Most tests allow you to save the results using the Save button on the results screen F4 key Results are saved to t...

Page 22: ...azardous contaminants and should be disposed of according to local regulations It may be illegal to discard batteries in the general trash To replace the battery pack 1 On the back of the unit remove...

Page 23: ...eplace with the new battery 4 Carefully reinstall the battery pack and screws NOTE Do not overtighten the screws which could cause the battery pack cover to crack 1 5 Technical support If you need pro...

Page 24: ...Base Unit User Guide Issue 1 Tech XFlex 1 18 1 Introduction Intro Wi Fi 10 100 System IP Video Specs E mail systemssupport spirent com...

Page 25: ...s performed from the Wi Fi menu When this menu is active all testing uses the Wi FI interface only That is no other interface will process test requests NOTE You must have a Wi Fi connection establish...

Page 26: ...thentication if any Therefore the unit is ideal for testing a wireless home network By emulating a wireless PC in the home you can perform troubleshooting activities such as Verifying ISP availability...

Page 27: ...System IP Video Specs Figure 2 2 Typical Wi Fi testing diagram 2 2 3 If you cannot connect troubleshooting tips If you are in range of a wireless access point but cannot connect verify the following...

Page 28: ...internal history up to 10 networks according to the network SSID the network name Then during subsequent connection attempts you can choose the network by SSID which automatically populates all the or...

Page 29: ...n on page 2 5 Wi Fi Setup Connect on page 2 6 Wi Fi Setup Details on page 2 9 Wi Fi Setup View Auto Connect Networks on page 2 10 2 3 1 Wi Fi Setup Scan The Scan function auto detects all wireless net...

Page 30: ...esults screen shortcuts Connect Launches the Wi Fi Connect function for the selected network see Wi Fi Setup Connect on page 2 6 Details Displays details of the selected network similar to those displ...

Page 31: ...name Channel Number Channel used by the network typically 1 to 11 with variances possible based on the country of operation and applicable regulations A Wi Fi connection is based on a single channel...

Page 32: ...he wireless access point OPEN Effectively no authentication to associate and connect however all communications following the connection will be WEP encrypted and therefore the unit must still have th...

Page 33: ...2 3 NOTE After connection you must obtain an IP address if you want to do any IP based testing For more information see IP Network Setup on page 5 1 2 3 3 Wi Fi Setup Details This function reports th...

Page 34: ...on on IP Network Setup parameters and results see IP Network Setup on page 5 1 NOTE The unit must have an active wireless connection before IP Network setup is available see Wi Fi Setup on page 2 5 2...

Page 35: ...ng over the Wi Fi interface is similar to other interfaces For more information see Traceroute on page 5 5 2 7 Web Browser NOTE The web browser is a purchasable option Please contact Spirent for more...

Page 36: ...Base Unit User Guide Issue 1 Tech XFlex 2 12 2 Wi Fi Testing Menu Intro Wi Fi 10 100 System IP Video Specs...

Page 37: ...etup on page 5 1 IP ping See Ping on page 5 4 Traceroute See Traceroute on page 5 5 Internet web page request See Web Browser on page 5 6 IP video testing See IP Video testing on page 5 7 Ethernet bri...

Page 38: ...e ended tests such as ping or traceroute you may use either port When setting up an Ethernet bridge for passive tests the order of the ports is likewise not important NOTE On the physical port the uni...

Page 39: ...ing IP Network setup see 10 100 testing diagram on page 3 2 3 5 Ping Ping testing over the 10 100 interface is similar to other interfaces For more information see Ping on page 5 4 3 6 Traceroute Trac...

Page 40: ...flowing across the bridge such as during a passive measurement of video quality The ports are always active therefore the bridge capability is always active with the monitoring feature activated when...

Page 41: ...am including the internet You can use either crossover or straight through Ethernet cables for any connections to the unit 3 9 2 Passive Video Quality of Service QoS Select 10 100 menu Passive Tests V...

Page 42: ...Base Unit User Guide Issue 1 Tech XFlex 3 6 3 10 100 Testing Menu Intro Wi Fi 10 100 System IP Video Specs...

Page 43: ...ecord file For non continuous self terminating tests the full results set is saved at the end of testing For continuous tests you can control when saving is active during which time a full results set...

Page 44: ...100 Admin Port Select System 10 100 Admin Port This function assigns IP data to the internal management interface of the unit It is similar to the IP Network Setup for the 10 100 test interface excep...

Page 45: ...re used to timestamp all saved results in the Record manager They are also used for various internal functions described in this document elsewhere as appropriate The date and time must be entered usi...

Page 46: ...mode on page 1 9 4 5 Version Info Select System Version Info This function provides information about hardware and firmware versioning currently applicable to the unit including the attached module if...

Page 47: ...ormation see About channel guides on page 4 7 Guide Name Name of the active channel guide only applicable when Use Guide is set to Yes The field allows you to select from the guides currently on the u...

Page 48: ...decs particularly older codecs are very sensitive to packet loss and degrade very quickly with small amounts of loss Error correction and concealment A number of loss mitigation techniques may be empl...

Page 49: ...creen a sample entry might appear as follows channel info channel number 001 channel number channel abbreviation ESPN channel abbreviation IP address 239 255 1 101 IP address IP port 3002 IP port enca...

Page 50: ...w installs you can leave the password blank in the Connection prompt 4 In the interface window select Edit Users 5 In the Users window click Add to add a new FTP user account which the unit will use t...

Page 51: ...nnection is automatically attempted based on the internal list of auto connect networks For details on how auto connection works see About the connection history and auto connect networks on page 2 4...

Page 52: ...and enter the key exactly as provided by Spirent Note the following For licensing changes to take effect you must reboot the unit or cycle it through sleep mode For more information see Powering on of...

Page 53: ...set up in a specific manner Please contact Spirent for a separate document that provides details on this setup and other information about firmware upgrades The 10 100 admin port must be set up before...

Page 54: ...Base Unit User Guide Issue 1 Tech XFlex 4 12 4 System Menu Intro Wi Fi 10 100 System IP Video Specs...

Page 55: ...nu Therefore the information is consolidated here and applies generally to any interface that supports the respective test To configure an interface with routable IP information use the IP Network Set...

Page 56: ...uter with an Ethernet cable Or for Wi Fi testing the unit should be within range and synchronized with an active Wi Fi node NOTE If you disconnect the unit and reconnect it to another network you shou...

Page 57: ...ed If a DHCP operation fails check the following The unit is properly connected to an active networked device For example when using the 10 100 interface the Ethernet cable must be properly connected...

Page 58: ...Results Ping Along with details about each individual ping request the unit also reports the following summary information Table 5 2 Ping Setup parameters Parameter Description Destination Address Ta...

Page 59: ...ps The results provides a topological view of the route that the packets used to reach the destination The request is sent via the active interface and requires that routable IP information is assigne...

Page 60: ...en It may be especially useful for verifying that internet access is available beyond a simple ping test If a residential subscriber cannot view a web page but you can with the unit you can normally c...

Page 61: ...ulates an IPTV subscriber providing a comprehensive view of the subscriber experience NOTE Depending upon the test interface passive testing of video quality for unicast and multicast streams may also...

Page 62: ...sively monitor an existing stream In this case the unit does not join the stream itself and therefore supports the measurement of unicast streams as well For more information on how the passive bridgi...

Page 63: ...s see About channel guides on page 4 7 IP Address IP address of the video stream If you selected a channel from the channel guide this field is automatically populated The IP address specified must re...

Page 64: ...sed on IP address alone While the STB may be receiving some data that is not part of the video stream it is likely that most traffic will be video data that qualifies for analysis Duration Duration of...

Page 65: ...buffer The maximum number of packets that can be stored in the jitter buffer is a set fraction of the maximum delay GOP Type Video coder group of pictures GOP structure representing the frame sequence...

Page 66: ...is setting makes the analysis tunable for different varieties of encoders and various network environment conditions Concealment Level This parameter defines the effectiveness of the packet loss conce...

Page 67: ...codecs are very sensitive to packet loss and degrade very quickly with small amounts of loss Error correction and concealment A number of loss mitigation techniques may be employed to conceal packet...

Page 68: ...ages Use the appropriate function key to switch between screens Note the following International Code Country continent code This specification allows the analysis to adjust the quality metric scores...

Page 69: ...results Plot tab Result Description MOS graph Displays graph of calculated V MOS A MOS and AV MOS which updates regularly for continuous tests The graph assumes a fixed score of 4 0 as passing and 3 0...

Page 70: ...hat can be attributed to jitter buffer discards Codec Type Percentage of the overall quality degradation that can be attributed to video encoder decoder selection Delay Percentage of the overall quali...

Page 71: ...table packets in an FEC block which is used when calculating the FEC effectiveness Peak Mean Rcv Rate Ratio of peak packet receive rate to the mean receive rate Table 5 11 Video QoS Stream results Str...

Page 72: ...st VSPQ Video Service Picture Quality during burst state periods This is a codec dependent measure of the subjective quality of the decoded video stream It is equivalent to a V MOS score using a diffe...

Page 73: ...c Loss Number of times that the sync byte of a packet header was errored or not present for two consecutive transport stream packets MPEG Sync Byte Err Number of times that a transport stream sync byt...

Page 74: ...or smaller interval between PCRs Both the PCR and discontinuity indicator are part of the packet header PTS Err Number of times that the PTS presentation time stamp repetition period exceeded 700 mil...

Page 75: ...reams over communications networks Frame types As part of the reduction in redundancy the video is compressed and reorganized into three different frame types serving individual roles as follows I fra...

Page 76: ...s corrupted rather than the general fuzz and or static caused by a poor analog signal For example If macroblock data is missing or corrupted the video typically shows rectangles of missing picture on...

Page 77: ...n algorithms are complex and beyond the scope of this document About MPEG transport The MPEG standards refer broadly to a set of protocols for transporting compressed audio video programs over a commu...

Page 78: ...tary streams Program association table or PAT Lists all the programs included in the transport stream as a high level list of all programs available to the decoder or in other words channels available...

Page 79: ...ere multiple IPTV subscribers are watching the same channel and each will ultimately receive the exact same data payload Consider the following diagram which represents a small network without multica...

Page 80: ...articular subnet are members of a given multicast group for example no one on a particular subnet is viewing a particular audio video stream the network may automatically adjust to avoid multicasting...

Page 81: ...sections describe the quality measurement process in more detail How the analysis works An overview The following metrics may be used to estimate the overall subjective quality of the audio video stre...

Page 82: ...consecutive packets are dropped have a different effect on perceived audio video quality than packet loss events in which single packets are dropped and the time or distance between the single loss ev...

Page 83: ...sults About packet delay variation PDV Packet delay variation is a calculation based on the variation of a packet s expected arrival time versus its actual arrival time Each packet has its own PDV whi...

Page 84: ...he signal is not scrambled the software should be able to recognize frame types according to explicit data in the stream and precisely associate lost packets with the respective type If frame type dat...

Page 85: ...which you can select the two channels for the test All other required information is prepopulated from the channel guide such as IP addresses and port numbers For more information on how the channels...

Page 86: ...ns the first specified channel leaves that channel then joins the second specified channel During this process four key events are used for the change time calculation as illustrated in the following...

Page 87: ...ide Issue 1 5 IP and Video Testing 5 33 Intro Wi Fi 10 100 System IP Video Specs For reference the unit indicates the following test results Channel Leave Time Equals the LastA ML term Channel Join Ti...

Page 88: ...Base Unit User Guide Issue 1 Tech XFlex 5 34 5 IP and Video Testing Intro Wi Fi 10 100 System IP Video Specs...

Page 89: ...6 1 Physical specifications Dimensions H x W x D 8 964 in x 4 208 in x 2 524 in 22 77 cm x 10 69 cm x 6 41 cm Weight 2 0 lb 0 91 kg Display Color LCD with adjustable backlight 320x420 pixels 1 4 VGA...

Page 90: ...LiON rechargeable Battery life 3 10 hours depending on use Battery recharge time 3 4 hours Maximum power usage 24 watts Maximum heat dissipation 9 watts Table 6 3 Environmental requirements Operating...

Page 91: ...e received including interference that may cause undesired operation Operation and installation This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device pursuant...

Page 92: ...Base Unit User Guide Issue 1 Tech XFlex 6 4 6 Specifications Intro Wi Fi 10 100 System IP Video Specs...