Ethernet / FibreChannel Basic Turn-up

This document will provide an overview of how to turn-up an Ethernet

or fibre channel circuit using the Acterna FST-2802. We will focus on
the most common tests performed in the
field, such as Ethernet frame generation and
RFC2544 testing.

FST-2802 Mainframe Overview

The software controlling the FST-2802 is Windows XP
embedded. We are able to gain many of the benefits of
Windows including support for PCMCIA devices
(modems, Ethernet cards, etc) as well as support for many
USB devices (printers, mice, thumb drives, etc).

PCMCIA Card Door/Slot

Printer Connector

RJ-45 Connectors
GBIC Port

GBIC Port

The top of the FST-2802 is where most of the test sets connections are located. These include the test ports,
USB/Serial port, and the PCMCIA port. If you have a dual port
FST-2802 you will see an extra 10/100bT port and GBIC test
port.
The GBIC port takes standard full size GBICs. These GBICs
can be purchased from Acterna or through any GBIC provider.
GBICs can be multimode (SX), single mode (LX), long haul
(ZX), or 1000bT (copper). NOTE: The LX and ZX both take single mode fiber the LX is 1310nm and the ZX is 1550nm.
The front panel of the FST-2802 is shown below. The user is
able to set up tests, control printing and file management,
and manage the overall system settings such as remote IP
address, battery management, and other items.

The extended keypad (right side of graphic) is part of the

mainframe (not soft keys) and will always be present no matter which screen is being viewed. These keys allow for quick
access to the printer, soft keyboard, help, test restart, and
application switching.

The LEDs located on the far right of the FST-2802 application module offer the user a quick view of the status of the
overall circuit under test. If the FST-2802 is a dual port, the
user will see two identical sets of LEDs, one set for Port 1 and
another for Port 2.
The LEDs are broken up into two sets. The top set is for the
10/100bT interface (native electrical). The bottom set of
LEDs is for the GBIC port. The outside set of the LEDs (left set
for single port units) will be lit if any of the LEDs went into
alarm and will stay lit until the user resets them. The inside
set of LEDs (right set for single port units) are for the current
status and will only be lit while the error or event is currently
on. Generally a green LED is a non-error (event) and a red LED
is an error.

FST-2802 Analysis Modes

The FST-2802 supports three application modes
monitor (MON), terminate (TERM), and through (THRU).
MON places a single port in monitor mode(receive
only). MON mode can also connect the RX to the TX
and place the test set into a hard loop. The test set
will analyze traffic in this mode and will not have any transmit
capabilities. NOTE: If you use MON and connect RX to TX, the
test set will NOT flip any addressing this is equivalent to a
hard loop.
TERM allows the user to terminate traffic directly
into the test set and generate traffic at the same
time. The traffic received by the test set is totally
independent of what is transmitted. This is the most common application mode for the FST-2802. The applications
described later in this document will all be performed under
the TERM button. The unit must be in TERM mode to run the
RFC2544 test.
THRU mode is available only on dual port FST-2802.
The circuit will be run through the unit in both directions using both ports. The benefit of THRU mode
over MON mode is that traffic in both directions is visible
simultaneously MON mode only offers a uni-directional
view. The FST-2802, in this application mode, is not creating
traffic. The FST-2802 is simply receiving the traffic, analyzing
it, and forwarding it on without any modifications. The traffic
to be monitored will most likely be generated by the customers network.

FST-2802 Test Interfaces

1G Fibre Channel (option)

The FST-2802 has both electrical and optical interfaces

available. By pressing the TERM button, the following set of
interfaces will be
available:
10/100 Ethernet
1G Ethernet
1G Fibre channel
2G Fibre channel

This application allows the user to generate 1GIG (Gb/s) of

fibre channel traffic using the GBIC port(s). This option
supports SX and LX GBICs over both multimode and single
mode cables. The interface is capable of supporting traffic
rates up to full line rate (1 Gb/s) as well as flow control
simulation both implicit and explicit ports. The test set is
capable of generating an 8B/10B BER pattern and layer 2
(ID addressed) traffic.

Each of the applications listed above is

an option for the
FST-2802. If some of the interfaces above are not listed do
not be alarmed it is simply not an option that was purchased with the unit. It can be added at any time.

2G Fibre Channel (option)

10/100 Ethernet (option)

This application allows the user to test using the electrical
10/100bT interface on the test set. The interface is capable
of supporting traffic rates up to full line rate (10Mb/s or
100Mb/s) as well as full auto-negotiation and flow control.
Depending on the options purchased the test set is capable
of generating layer 2 (MAC addressed) traffic, layer 2.5 (VLAN
tagged traffic), and layer 3 (IP addressed) traffic.

1G Ethernet (option)
This application allows the user to generate 1GIG (1 Gb/s) of
Ethernet traffic using the GBIC port. This option supports SX,
LX, ZX, and copper GBICs over both multimode and single
mode cables. The interface is capable of supporting traffic
rates up to full line rate (1 Gb/s) as well as full auto-negotiation and flow control. Depending on the options purchased
the test set is capable of generating an 8B/10B BER pattern,
layer 2 (MAC addressed) traffic, layer 2 BERT pattern (framed
BERT traffic), layer 2.5 (VLAN tagged traffic), and layer 3 (IP
addressed) traffic.

This application allows the user to generate 2GIG (Gb/s) of

fibre channel traffic using the GBIC port(s). This option
supports SX and LX GBICs over both multimode and single
mode cables. The interface is capable of supporting traffic
rates up to full line rate (2 Gb/s) as well as flow control
simulation both implicit and explicit ports. The test set is
capable of generating an 8B/10B BER pattern and layer 2
(ID addressed) traffic.

FST-2802 TERM Choices

10/100 Ethernet

Layer 1 BERT
Layer 1 BERT allows the user to place a BER pattern without
any addressing on the network. This type of traffic is used
mostly on WDM based Ethernet or dark fiber based Ethernet.
The elements in a WDM network and the media converters
used to put Ethernet in dark fiber require no addressing or
frame formatting to pass traffic.

There are three types of traffic available for 10/100bT testing

depending on the options purchased for the test set. The
available three types of traffic for 10/100 Ethernet are:
Layer 2 Traffic
Layer 3 PING
Layer 3 IP Traffic

Layer 2 Traffic
Layer 2 traffic is used to turn-up those circuits requiring no
addressing, MAC addressing, or VLAN tagging. This type of
test will be used with most WDM Ethernet deployments and
switched Ethernet deployments.

The information that follows describes the tests available to

the user for turn-up applications. We will group the two fibre
channel options (1G and 2G) together as one application.

Layer 2 Traffic
Layer 2 traffic is used to turn-up those circuits requiring no
addressing, MAC addressing, or VLAN tagging. This type of
test will be used with most wave division multiplexed (WDM)
Ethernet deployments and switched Ethernet deployments.
Layer 3 PING
Layer 3 PING is most often used when checking connectivity to
the internet or connectivity to existing customer equipment.
PING is an application that allows the test device to generate a
specific type of packet that the far end will recognize and
respond with a similar packet. PINGing is a very good way to
prove that traffic can traverse a network.
Layer 3 IP Traffic
Layer 3 IP Traffic is used when dealing with routed Ethernet
services. Routed Ethernet services have a router in the circuit
path. The generated packets need an IP address to enter and
egress the router. Layer 3 IP Traffic allows the user to enter in
an IP address and generate packets that will pass through a
router.

1G Ethernet
There are five types of traffic available for 1G Ethernet testing
depending on the options purchased for the test set. The
available types of traffic for 1GIG Ethernet are:
Layer 1 BERT
Layer 2 Traffic
Layer 2 Patterns
Layer 3 PING
Layer 3 IP Traffic

Layer 2 Patterns
Layer 2 Patterns are very similar to layer 1 BERT. The main
difference between layer 1 BERT and layer 2 Patterns is that
layer 2 Patterns formats the traffic into a valid Ethernet
frame. The user can not enter any addressing for this type of
traffic test. It is used primarily for testing point-to-point Ethernet services that require proper Ethernet frame formatting
(start of frame identifier and correct FCS at the end of the
frame) but no MAC or VLAN addressing.
Layer 3 PING
Layer 3 PING is most often used when checking connectivity
to the internet or connectivity to existing customer equipment. PING is an application that allows the test device to
generate a specific type of packet that the far end will recognize and respond with a similar packet. PINGing is a very
good way to prove that traffic can traverse a network.
Layer 3 IP Traffic
Layer 3 IP Traffic is used when dealing with routed Ethernet
services. Routed Ethernet services have a router in the circuit path. The generated packets need an IP address to enter
and egress the router. Layer 3 IP Traffic allows the user to
enter in an IP address and generate packets that will pass
through a router.

NOTE: If you have a dual port FST-2802 you will need to

select PORT 1 or PORT 2 for each of the above tests. On the
top right side of the test set you will see either icon that
states either PORT 1 or PORT 2 is selected. Make sure you set up the
correct PORT that you wish to test from. The ports are independent
and may be started and stopped individually.

FST-2802 Commonly Used

TERM Tests
We will focus on the most common tests performed by the
FST-2802 Layer 1 BERT testing, and Layer 2 Ethernet and fibre
channel frame generation, and layer 3 IP packet generation.

BERT Testing
Interfaces: 1G Ethernet, 1G Fibre channel, 2G Fibre Channel
Application: Physical layer BER for network or GBIC stress
test
Limitations: Will not work on networks requiring any basic
frame formatting (start of frame or FCS). You need a hard
loop at the far end of the circuit for this test to work.
STEP 1
Place the test set into an interface mode that supports BERT
(see above)
STEP 2
Select the SETUP button on the top right side
of the screen and select the PATTERN button
from that list.
Choose one of the available patterns to test
against and select OK.
NOTE: Check the FST-2802
manual for details on each
individual BER pattern and
its benefits.

STEP 3
Depress the Laser button and the traffic button. The buttons
will be grey when off and yellow when
turned on:
STEP 4
Begin analyzing the results. From the main screen of the test
pad place one of the results windows in SUMMARY and the
other in ERROR (select by pressing down on the areas in the
red boxes below). A green summary screen will indicate that
no errors are present. The error screen will show that all
counts are at zero. NOTE: You must have a hard loop at the far
end of the circuit or a
hard loop on the GBIC to
get any results.

TRAFFIC GENERATON Ethernet Frames

Interfaces: 10/100 Ethernet or 1G Ethernet
Application: Traffic generation emulates customers
traffic and provides proof network can carry customer
traffic without error at the bandwidth purchased by the
customer.
Limitations: Works on all types of networks requiring no
addressing, MAC (layer 2) addressing, or VLAN tags
(layer 2.5). Does not work on networks requiring IP
(see next section for circuits requiring IP addressing).
STEP 1
Place the test set into the Ethernet interface mode you wish
to test to (see FST-2802 TERM choices).
STEP 2
Select the SETUP button in the top right
side of the screen and select the LINK INIT
button.
Make sure the link
initiations settings
match the setting on the
element Ethernet port
you are testing against:
STEP 3
Select the SETUP button
and select the TRAFFIC button.
This will allow the user to
choose the type of traffic
to generate. Although
there are three choices,
RAMP and CONST (constant) will be the two
most commonly used.
CONST (constant)
allows the user to send traffic at a specific rate in either
Mb/s or as a percent of the link maximum bandwidth.
RAMP allows the user to define a traffic profile that will
start at 0% and gradually increase until errors are detected. This is useful in determining the provisioned line rate
of the circuit.

RAMP requires the setting of the TIME STEP

and the LOAD STEP.
The TIME STEP is the
time the test set will
generate traffic at a
specific bandwidth.
The LOAD STEP is the
amount the test set will
increase each of the steps. For example, if the TIME STEP is
set to 5 and the LOAD STEP is set to 1, the test set will generate traffic at 1% and increment it in 5 seconds. If no errors
are detected, the test set will then increase the traffic rate to
2%. This will continue until an error (defined in the STOP
LOAD INCREMENT section of the screen) is detected.
STEP 4
After setting up the TRAFFIC, go back to the
SETUP button and select the TX PROFILE button:
The TX PROFILE screen offers the user the ability
to set up the type of frames that will generated,
including the addressing.

NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU

UNDERSTAND THE
ADDRESSING
REQUIREMENTS OF
THE CIRCUIT PRIOR TO
SETTING UP THIS SCREEN.

The TX PROFILE section on the top left of the screen allows

the user to set up three different profiles that the test set
will remember (P1, P2, or P3). The LP profile is used when
performing a loop test. NOTE: If you are running a RAMP
test or plan on looping the far end test set, set up the LP
profile. Head to head tests can use P1, P2, or P3.
The TX PAYLOAD should be set to ACTERNA. This allows
the test set to detect lost frames and determine round trip
delay.
DA TYPE is the type of frame that the test set will use. The
will almost always be set to UNICAST.
DEST ADDRESS is the layer 2 (MAC) address of the far end
test set. Set this if using P1, P2, or P3 AND the circuit
requires an accurate Layer 2 address. The destination
address of the far end test set can be found under the
MAC ID tab on the far end test set. If using the LP profile,
the test set will auto detect the far end MAC address

FRAME is the type of the frame (DIX or 802.3). Either type

of frame will work with most elements, however some element cards may require either the DIX or the 802.3 frame
type. Check with the element vendor to see if this setting
is relevant.
VLAN TAG is required for those circuits requiring an VLAN
tag. If the circuit requires VLAN tagging, change the VLAN
TAG setting to TAGGED and set up the appropriate VLAN ID
and USER PRIORITY. The USER PRIORITY field may not be
required even though the VLAN ID is required.
FRAME LENGTH is the length of the overall frame. Smaller
frames are more stressful than longer frames. Most elements will not pass Ethernet frames larger than 1518
(NON VLAN TAG) / 1522 (VLAN TAG) or smaller than 64
bytes.
STEP 5
If you are testing a Gigabit
Ethernet circuit you will
need to enable the laser and begin traffic generation. If you
are testing 10/100bT Ethernet, you will only need to enable
the traffic generation. When the traffic or laser button is yellow it is on, gray means off.
STEP 6
The final step is the analysis of the traffic being generated.
You will need an FST-2802 at the far end of the circuit to get
results locally. The easiest way to begin testing is to turn off
the traffic on both the local and far end test set(do NOT turn
off the laser). On the local FST-2802 press the LOOP UP button (next to LASER ON see above). This will put the far end
FST-2802 into loop back and all traffic sent locally will be
received at the far
end, all addressing
will be reversed (if
needed), and the
traffic will be sent
back. The user will
then see results:
Set the left results
column to SUMMARY and the right results column to L2 LINK
STATS (red boxes above).

TRAFFIC GENERATION
Fibre Channel Frames
Interfaces: 1G Fibre Channel or 2G Fibre Channel
Application: Traffic generation
emulates customers traffic and
provides proof network can carry customer trafficwithout
error atthe bandwidth purchased bythe customer.
Limitations: Works on all types of networks requiring no
addressing or fibre channel ID (layer 2) addressing.
STEP 1
Place the test set into the Fibre Channel interface mode (1GIG
or 2GIG) you wish to test to (see FST-2802 TERM choices). It is
critical that the line rate of the test set matches the line rate of
the card the test set is connected to.
STEP 2
Select the SETUP button in the top right side
of the screen and select the FLOW CONTROL
button
Some circuits require flow control buffer
credit transfers prior to
the port being
activated. If the circuit
requires buffer credits,
enable the flow control
and set the port type to
IMPLICIT or EXPLICIT.
Check with the element
vendor to see if the
card type or the card
settings require flow control.
STEP 3
Select the SETUP button and select the
TRAFFIC button. This
will allow the user to
choose the type of traffic to generate.
Although there are
three choices, RAMP
and CONST (constant) will be the two most commonly used.

CONST (constant) allows the user to send traffic at a specific rate in either Mb/s or as a percent of the link
maximum bandwidth.
RAMP allows the user to define a traffic profile that will
start at 0% and gradually increase until errors are detected. This is useful in determining the provisioned line rate
of the circuit.
RAMP requires the
setting of the TIME
STEP and the LOAD
STEP. The TIME STEP
is the time the test set
will generate traffic at
a specific bandwidth.
The LOAD STEP is the
amount the test set will increase each of the steps. For example, if the TIME STEP is set to 5 and the LOAD STEP is set to 1,
the test set will generate traffic at 1% and increment it in 5
seconds. If no errors are detected, the test set will then
increase the traffic rate to 2%. This will continue until an
error (defined in the STOP LOAD INCREMENT section of the
screen) is detected.
STEP 4
After setting up the TRAFFIC, go back to the
SETUP button and select the TX PROFILE
button:

The TX PROFILE
screen offers the
user the ability to
set up the type of
frames that will
generated, including the addressing.
NOTE: MAKE SURE
YOU UNDERSTAND
THE ADDRESSING REQUIREMENTS OF THE CIRCUIT PRIOR TO
SETTING UP THIS SCREEN.

 The TX PROFILE section on the top left of the screen allows

the user to set up three different profiles that the test set
will remember (P1, P2, or P3). The LP profile is used when
performing a loop test. NOTE: If you are running a RAMP
test or plan on looping the far end test set, set up the LP
profile. Head to head tests can use P1, P2, or P3.
The TX PAYLOAD should be set to ACTERNA. This allows
the test set to detect lost frames and determine round trip
delay.
The ID settings (SEQUENCE, DESTINATION, etc) are all
parts of a fibre channel frame. The fibre channel circuit
that may or may not need these portions of the fibre channel frame to be defined. Make sure you understand what
the element and fibre channel card require and set those
portions of the frame that are appropriate.
FRAME LENGTH is the length of the overall frame. Smaller
frames are more stressful than longer frames. Most elements will not pass fibre channel frames larger than 2140
or smaller than 28 bytes.
STEP 5
You will need to enable the laser and begin traffic generation.
When the traffic or laser
button is yellow it is on,
gray means off.
STEP 6
The final step is the analysis of the traffic being generated.
You will need an FST-2802 at the far end of the circuit to get
results locally. The easiest way to begin testing is to turn off
the traffic on both the local and far end test set (do NOT turn
off the laser). On the local FST-2802 press the LOOP UP button (next to LASER ON see above). This will put the far end
FST-2802 into loop back and all traffic sent locally will be
received at the
far end, all
addressing will
be reversed (if
needed), and
the traffic will be
sent back. The
user will then
see results:

TRAFFIC GENERATION LAYER 3 IP

Use this setup for routed IP Ethernet circuits.
STEP 1
Place the FST-2802 into TERM 10/100 Ethernet Layer 3 IP
or TERM 1G Ethernet Layer 3 IP.
STEP 2
Select the SETUP button in the top right side of
the screen and select the LINK INIT button.
Make sure the link initiation settings match
the setting on the
element Ethernet port
you are testing
against:

STEP 3
Select the SETUP button and select the
TRAFFIC button. This
will allow the user to
choose the type of
traffic to generate.
Although there are
three choices, the RAMP and CONST (constant) will be the
two most commonly used.
CONST (constant) allows the user to send traffic at a
specific rate in either Mb/s or as a percent of the link
maximum bandwidth.
RAMP allows the user to define a traffic profile that will
start at 0% and gradually increase until errors are detected. This is useful in determining the provisioned line rate
of the circuit. For Layer 3 RAMP tests make sure that here
is no other traffic on the link (Spanning Tree, Cisco Discovery Protocol, etc). Other traffic may affect the results
of the RAMP test.

Set the left results column to SUMMARY and the right results
column to L2 LINK STATS (red boxes above).

RAMP requires the setting of the TIME STEP and the LOAD
STEP. The TIME STEP is the time the test set will generate traffic at a specific bandwidth. The LOAD STEP is the amount the
test set will increase each of the steps. For example, if the
TIME STEP is set to 5 and the LOAD STEP is set to 1, the test
set will generate traffic at 1% and
increment it in 5 seconds. If no errors are
detected, the test set
will then increase the
traffic rate to 2%. This
will continue until an
error (defined in the
STOP LOAD INCREMENT section of the screen) is detected.
STEP 4
After setting up the TRAFFIC, go back to the
SETUP button and select the IP CONFIG button:
The IP CONFIG screen offers the user the ability
to set up the IP address of the packets to be
generated.
NOTE: MAKE SURE
YOU UNDERSTAND
THE ADDRESSING
REQUIREMENTS
OF THE CIRCUIT
PRIOR TO SETTING
UP THIS SCREEN.

OBTAIN IP / USE IP BELOW For circuits that will provide

an IP address automatically use the OBTAIN AUTOMATICALLY (DHCP). If the customer will have to provide a
specific IP address for the service, use the USE IP BELOW
setting and enter in the IP ADDRESS, SUBNET MASK, and
DEFAULT GATEWAY.
OBTAIN DNS / USE DNS BELOW The circuit may require
the use of a domain name server (DNS) in order to operate. If the circuit is providing an IP address (DHCP) it will
most likely provide a DNS address. If you are manually
entering in an IP address you will need to manually enter
in a DNS address

10

STEP 5
After setting up the IP CONFIG, go back to the
SETUP button and select the TX PROFILE
button:
The TX PROFILE screen offers the user the ability
to set up the type of packets that will generated, including
the addressing. NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE
ADDRESSING REQUIREMENTS OF THE
CIRCUIT PRIOR TO SETTING UP THIS SCREEN.
The TX PROFILE
section on the
top left of the
screen allows
the user to set
up three different profiles
that the test
set will remember (P1, P2, or P3). The LP profile is used when
performing a loop test. NOTE: If you are running a RAMP
test or plan on looping the far end test set, set up the LP
profile. Head to head tests can use P1, P2, or P3.
The TX PAYLOAD should be set to ACTERNA. This allows
the test set to detect lost frames and determine round
trip delay.
The DEST IP is REQUIRED to generate traffic on a routed IP
network. Set this value to the far end FST-2802 source IP
address (see IP CONFIG in step above).
FRAME is the type of the frame (DIX or 802.3). Either type
of frame will work with most elements, however some
element cards may require either the DIX or the 802.3
frame type. Check with the element vendor to see if this
setting is relevant.
TOS / DSCP are priority values within the IP packet. Type
of service (TOS) and differentiated services code point
(DSCP) will need to be set if those values are provisioned
in the element and card you are testing against.
VLAN TAG is required for those circuits requiring an VLAN
tag. If the circuit requires VLAN tagging, change the
VLAN TAG setting to TAGGED and set up the appropriate
VLAN ID and USER PRIORITY. The USER PRIORITY field
may not be required even though the VLAN ID is required.

 PACKET LENGTH is the length of the overall frame.

Smaller frames are more stressful than longer frames.
The maximum / minimum packet sizes will depend on
the type of Ethernet frame used. We have a table in the
user manual that provides detailed information on this.
The TTL field will usually be left at 64. This field determines the number of routers the packet is allowed to go
through before the packet is discarded.
STEP 6
You will need to enable the laser and begin traffic generation. When the traffic or laser button is yellow it is on, gray
means off.
STEP 7
The final step is the analysis of the traffic being generated.
You will need an FST-2802 at the far end of the circuit to get
results locally. The easiest way to begin testing is to turn off
the traffic on both the local and far end test set (do NOT turn
off the laser). On the local FST-2802 press the LOOP UP button (next to LASER ON see above). This will put the far end
FST-2802 into loop back and all traffic sent locally will be
received at the far end, all addressing will be reversed (if
needed), and
the traffic will
be sent back.
The user will
then see
results:

Set the left results column to SUMMARY and the right

results column to IP LINK STATS.

Appendix A
RFC2544 Test Settings Point to Point
or Switched Ethernet Circuits
A commonly accepted turn-up test for 10bT, 100bT, and Gigabit Ethernet is the RFC2544 test. The RFC2544 test offers the
benefit of identifying circuit throughput, latency, and frame
loss characteristics of a circuit in an automated test.

NOTE: You MUST have a far end loop for the RFC2544 test to work. We
recommend that another FST-2802 be placed at the far end.

STEP 1 Setup Test Set for Traffic Generation

The first step to setting up the RFC2544 test is
getting the link up and defining any frame
addressing. For both 10/100bT and GIGE you
will need to get the link up and running by setting the LINK INIT portion of the SETUP button.
Make sure that AUTO NEGOTIATION and FLOW
CONTROL are set to match the element and card you are testing against.
NOTE: It is HIGLY recommended that flow control be disabled in the
element and card prior to performing an RFC2544 test. Flow control,
by its nature, masks the actual throughput by buffering the Ethernet
frames. This can provide incorrect or inconsistent test results.

The link will be available for 10/100bT (green LED on right side
of test set) after the link initiation has been properly set. For
GIGE circuits, the user will have to set the link initiation and
enable the LASER to make the link available.
After the link is up, go
back to the SETUP
button and select the
TX PROFILE button.
This will bring up the
screen allowing the
overall traffic setup:
For RFC2544 testing:
TX PROFILE Set this to LP
TX PAYLOAD Set this to ACTERNA
DA TYPE Set this to UNICAST
DA ADDRESS This is grayed out test set will detect it
FRAME Check the element and card to see the frame type
the card will accept. If in doubt try the 802.3 setting first.
VLAN TAG If the circuit requires a VLAN ID, set it here. If
no VLAN ID is required, turn the VLAN TAG setting to NONTAGGED
FRAME LENGTH This setting is not used by RFC2544.
Frame sizes will be set later in this section.

11

STEP 2 Loading Application

On the top of the screen when terminating a 10/100 Ethernet
Layer 2 TRAFFIC or 1GIG Ethernet Layer 2 TRAFFIC, the
RFC2544 button will be
available:
Select the RFC2544 test the FST-2802 will load the test.
STEP 3 RFC2544
Test Configuration
The RFC2544 test
configuration screen
will come up. If this is
the first time using
the RFC2544 test, the
following window will
be shown:
Select the NEW button to move forward.
NOTE: There may be other test set ups that have been saved in the
SELECT TEST CONFIGURATION window. You may select an existing
test and chose MODIFY instead of NEW.

STEP 4 Naming Test

Name the RFC2544
test. This name will
appear in the test
configuration screen
for future reference.
STEP 5
Direction Screen
This screen gives
basic instructions
on how to navigate
through the
RFC2544 set up.

12

STEP 6 Frame Sizes

The RFC2544 test
makes the throughput, latency, and
frame loss measurements using a range
of frame sizes. The
user can select as little as one frame or as
many as all of the
frames listed.
NOTE: It is recommended that the user minimally pick the 64, 128,
512, and 1518 byte frames.

STEP 7 Test Options

This step allows the
user to select the
individual results
that the RFC2544
test will calculate.
There are 4 options
Throughput, Latency,
Frame Loss, and
Back to Back Frames
tests.
Throughput Test This test will determine the maximum
rate of the circuit without errors. Many Ethernet circuits
will be purchases at a rate that is less than the interface
rate (e.g. 600meg out of 1 GIG interface). This test will
determine what the circuit is provisioned for.
Latency Test This test will determine the round trip
delay for the circuit. The one way latency can be approximated by dividing this result by 2.
Frame Loss Rate Test This test will determine the frame
loss at the rate determined by the throughput test. If lost
frames are detected the test will continue to reduce the
speed of traffic until it identifies that rate which zero
frames are lost.
Back to Back Frames Test This test will determine the
number of frames the local Ethernet card can buffer. The
test set will generate frames at full line rate and see how
many get dropped. This test is designed more for manufacturers than for circuit turn-up. We do not recommend
this test for circuit turn-up. NOTE: If flow control is turned
on, back to back frames will not give relevant results.

STEP 8 Maximum Bandwidth

This screen allows the user to pre set the maximum bandwidth for the throughput, latency, and frame loss test. By
setting this value
close to and
slightly above the
provisioned rate,
the time of the
overall test can
be reduced.
NOTE: If the provisioned rate is not
known, leave this
value at 100%.

STEP 12 Frame Loss Granularity

The frame loss granularity is the level of detail the frame loss
test will use to
identify the bandwidth with zero
frame loss. We
recommend that
this be set to 1%
so that the bandwidth of zero
frame loss will be
determined to the
nearest percent.

STEP 9 Throughput Time

The test set will
run the throughput test for the
each frame size
defined in the
frame sizes
screen for a specific amount of
time before
declaring a valid maximum throughput rate. We recommend
that this time be set for 20 seconds.

STEP 13 Test Run

Upon completion of this last
step, the RFC
test will begin
running.

STEP 10 Latency Time

The test set will run the latency test the each frame size
defined in the
frame sizes screen
for the amount of
time defined by
this set up parameter at the rate
determined by the
throughput test. It
is recommended
that this time be
set to 20 seconds.
STEP 11 Frame Loss Time
As with throughput and latency tests, the test set will perform
a detailed frame
loss analysis for a
specified period of
time for each
frame size. We
recommend that
this be set to 20
seconds.

NOTE: If you have

turned the back
to back frames
test on in step 6,
you will have to
set up this test
prior to the RFC test run. It is recommended that you do not run the
back to back frames test on the circuit

STEP 14 Results
At the completion of the RFC2544 test the user will be
prompted to save the test results. These results are saved in
the form of a .txt file and can be open using any word processing program.
The files are initially stored on the Z:
drive of the test set
under the FST2802 directory.
The test set will
save the file using
a time / date
stamp as the file
name. We recommend that the user use a more descriptive
naming scheme relevant to the service (e.g. ACME INC
RACK1 PORT13)

13

Appendix B
RFC2544 Tests for Routed
Ethernet Circuits
A commonly accepted turn-up test for 10bT, 100bT, and
Gigabit Ethernet is the RFC2544 test. The RFC2544 test
offers the benefit of identifying circuit throughput, latency,
and frame loss characteristics of a circuit in an automated
test.
NOTE: You MUST have a far end loop for the RFC2544 test to work.
For routed Ethernet circuits, an FST-2802 MUST be the far end loop
device.

STEP 1 Setup Test Set for Traffic Generation

The first step to setting up the RFC2544 test is
getting the link up and defining any frame
addressing. For both 10/100bT and GIGE you will
need to get the link up and running by setting the
LINK INIT portion of the SETUP button. Make sure
that AUTO NEGOTIATION and FLOW CONTROL are
set to match the element and card you are testing
against.

NOTE: It is HIGLY recommended that flow control be disabled in the

element and card prior to performing an RFC2544 test. Flow control,
by its nature, masks the actual throughput by buffering the Ethernet
frames. This can provide incorrect or inconsistent test results.

The link will be available for 10/100bT (green LED on right

side of test set) after the link initiation has been properly set.
For GIGE circuits, the user will have to set the link initiation
and enable the LASER to make the link available.
The test set must have a valid IP address prior to generating
any traffic. Select the SETUP button and choose the IP CONFIG button. MAKE
SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE
ADDRESSING
REQUIREMENTS OF
THE CIRCUIT PRIOR
TO SETTING UP THIS
SCREEN.

The final portion of the

traffic generation set up
for router Ethernet circuits is the TX Profile
settings. Select the
SETUP button and
choose the TX PROFILE
button.
For RFC2544 testing:
TX PROFILE - Set this to LP
TX PAYLOAD: Set this to ACTERNA
DEST IP: Set this to the IP address of the far end FST-2802
FRAME Check the element and card to see the frame
type the card will accept. If in doubt try the 802.3 setting
first.
TOS / DSCP If this is required by the element and card,
set the appropriate TOS / DSCP value. If not required,
leave as is (all zeros).
VLAN TAG If the circuit requires a VLAN ID, set it here. If
no VLAN ID is required, turn the VLAN TAG setting to NONTAGGED
PACKET LENGTH This setting is not used by RFC2544.
Frame sizes will be set later in this section.
TTL Leave at 64
STEP 2 Loading Application
On the top of the screen when terminating a 10/100 Ethernet Layer 2 TRAFFIC or 1GIG Ethernet Layer 2 TRAFFIC, the
RFC2544 button will be
available:
Select the RFC2544 test the FST-2802 will load the test.
STEP 3 RFC2544 Test Configuration
The RFC2544 test
configuration screen
will come up. If this is
the first time using
the RFC2544 test, the
following window will
be shown:

Select the NEW button to move forward. NOTE: There may be

other test set ups that have been saved in the SELECT TEST
CONFIGURATION window. You may select an existing test
and chose MODIFY instead of NEW.

14

STEP 4 Naming Test

Name the RFC2544
test. This name will
appear in the test
configuration
screen for future
reference.
STEP 5
Direction Screen
This screen gives
basic instructions on
how to navigate
through the RFC2544
set up.

STEP 6 Packet Sizes

The RFC2544 test
makes the throughput, latency, and
frame loss measurements using a range
of frame sizes. The
user can select as little as one frame or as
many as all of the frames listed. NOTE: It is recommended
that the user minimally pick the 40, 64, 512, and 1500 byte
frames.
STEP 7 Test Options
This step allows the
user to select the
individual results
that the RFC2544 test
will calculate. There
are 4 options
Throughput, Latency,
Frame Loss, and Back
to Back Frames tests.

Throughput Test This test will determine the maximum

rate of the circuit without errors. Many Ethernet circuits
will be purchases at a rate that is less than the interface
rate (e.g. 600meg out of 1 GIG interface). This test will
determine what the circuit is provisioned for.
Latency Test This test will determine the round trip
delay for the circuit. The one way latency can be approximated by dividing this result by 2.
Frame Loss Rate Test This test will determine the frame
loss at the rate determined by the throughput test. If lost
frames are detected the test will continue to reduce the
speed of traffic until it identifies that rate which zero
frames are lost.
Back to Back Frames Test This test will determine the
number of frames the local Ethernet card can buffer. The
test set will generate frames at full line rate and see how
many get dropped. This test is designed more for manufacturers than for circuit turn-up. We do not recommend
this test for circuit turn-up.
STEP 8 Maximum Bandwidth
This screen allows
the user to pre set the
maximum bandwidth
for the throughput,
latency, and frame
loss test. By setting
this value close to
and slightly above
the provisioned rate,
the time of the overall test can be reduced. NOTE: If the provisioned rate is not known, leave this value at 100%.
STEP 9 Throughput Time
The test set will run the throughput test for the each frame
size defined in the
frame sizes screen
for a specific amount
of time before
declaring a valid
maximum throughput rate. We
recommend that this
time be set for 20
seconds.

15

STEP 10 Latency Time

The test set will run the latency test the each frame size
defined in the frame sizes screen for the amount of time
defined by this set
up parameter at the
rate determined by
the throughput
test. It is recommended that this
time be set to 20
seconds.
STEP 11 Frame Loss Time
As with throughput
and latency tests,
the test set will perform a detailed
frame loss analysis
for a specified period of time for each
frame size. We recommend that this
be set to 20 seconds.
STEP 12 Frame Loss Granularity
The frame loss granularity is the level of detail the frame
loss test will use to identify the bandwidth with zero frame
loss. We recommend that this be
set to 1% so that
the bandwidth of
zero frame loss
will be determine
to the nearest
percent.

16

STEP 13 Test Run

Upon completion ofthislaststep, the RFCtestwillbegin running.
NOTE: If you have
turned the back
to back frames
test on in step 6,
you will have to
set up this test
prior to the RFC
test run. It is recommended that
you do not run the
back to back
frames test on the
circuit

STEP 14 Results
At the completion of the RFC2544 test the user will be
prompted to save the test results. These results are saved in
the form of a .txt
file and can be
open using any
word processing
program. The
files are initially
stored on the Z:
drive of the test
set under the FST2802 directory.
The test set will save the file using a time / date stamp as the
file name. We recommend that the user use a more descriptive naming scheme relevant to the service (e.g. ACME INC RACK1 PORT13)

Appendix C
FST-2802 Test Set Troubleshooting
SYNC and LINK ACTIVE LEDs Not Lit

Cabling Error check to make sure you are connected to the correct port
AND you are using the appropriate cable (crossover or straight)

SYNC & ACTIVE LINK Not Lit

or LEDs are Flashing On / Off

LINK INIT settings are not correct

Test set(s) does not have the same LINK INIT setting as the local
Ethernet/Fibre Channel port under test

LOOP UP / DOWN Not Available

Confirm that SYNC and LINK ACTIVE LEDs are lit. If they are not lighted, test set will
assume no link is present and there is nothing to loop check cabling (see above)

LOOP UP / LOOP DOWN Error

There must be an FST-2802 at far end. If you have a hard loop at the far end,
there is no test set to loop.
You cannot loop a test set that is generating traffic. Make sure BOTH test sets
have their traffic generation button off.

SYNC and LINK Active No Traffic

Being Passes Between Test Sets

Check addressing requirements for Ethernet and Fibre Channel circuits

Check Flow Control settings for Fibre Channel
The frame type must be one that the element and card can pass for Ethernet
circuits confirm that 802.3 or DIX or both should work.

RAMP Traffic Generation Failure

RAMP requires far end loop. Confirm that the far end FST-2802 is looped
at Test Start LLB button should be yellow.

Still Not Working!

One way to determine if the FST-2802 is broken or if there is a setup/circuit issue

is to connect two FST-2802s together and run a mock test outside of the network
(back to back). If errors are received a fiber issue could be present.
NOTE: A crossover cable must be used between the two test sets for SYNC and
LINK ACTIVE to appear.

17

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