Versatile 1.6 Terabit Ethernet platform in portable benchtop or rackmount solutions, with application support for validating silicon chips to network equipment performance
Keysight Technologies, Inc. has introduced the Interconnect Test System (ITS), an advanced software solution, along with the Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 1600GE (INPT-1600GE), a cutting-edge hardware traffic emulator. This integrated solution is designed to validate AI infrastructure, network components, and data center interconnects ranging from 200GE to 1600GE. It builds upon the capabilities of the recently launched Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 800GE benchtop. The ITS software is compatible with both the 800GE and 1600GE platforms, offering a seamless testing experience.
Traditional methods of network interconnect validation have long relied on manual, time-intensive processes that require specialized programming expertise. These outdated techniques lack automation and a centralized system for organizing interconnect data and test reports, making it challenging to track, replicate, and refine tests. As AI and data center interconnects continue to scale and diversify, legacy testing approaches struggle to deliver accurate assessments of modern production networks’ reliability and performance.
The Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 1600GE, integrated with ITS software, introduces a comprehensive system that streamlines interconnect validation in high-speed Ethernet networks and AI data centers.
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Key benefits include:
- Advanced High-Speed Ethernet Platform – The INPT-1600GE is a versatile, lightweight, and quiet platform that supports high-power optical receivers up to 40 watts. Available as both a portable benchtop unit and a rackmount chassis, it accommodates a variety of Ethernet speeds, including 1x1600GE, 2x800GE, 4x400GE, and 8x200GE. With a built-in handle for portability, the benchtop model enhances lab mobility. The platform enables thorough evaluation of silicon chips, optical transceivers, active cables, and networking equipment, ensuring stability, reliability, and seamless interoperability from 200GE to 1600GE PAM4 across network layers 1 through 3.
- Revolutionary Interconnect Data Management – The ITS software introduces a US patent-pending Interconnect Library (IL), offering an innovative method for organizing, retrieving, and utilizing interconnect data, including Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) data. By standardizing high-speed interconnect programming and data retrieval, this state-of-the-art library simplifies test creation and execution. Once records are added to the IL database, users can efficiently retrieve, reuse, modify, and update them, significantly enhancing productivity and enabling automated test suite development without requiring extensive programming knowledge.
- Enhanced Interconnect Validation Efficiency – The ITS software features a browser-based, high-performance graphical user interface (GUI) that supports multi-user test scheduling. This capability allows multiple users to run or schedule tests concurrently, maximizing test case throughput and enabling unattended execution, which optimizes efficiency across test teams.
- Automated Reporting Capabilities – The solution includes an automated report generator that compiles test results and CMIS data, providing PASS/FAIL status insights. These reports streamline interconnect development workflows and are also beneficial for manufacturing test applications, ensuring consistent quality and performance.
Khushrow Machhi, Senior Director of Marketing, Physical Layer Products Division at Broadcom, said: “As the industry moves toward 1.6T networking, ensuring signal integrity and error correction at these unprecedented speeds is critical. Broadcom is excited to collaborate with Keysight in developing cutting-edge testing solutions that address the challenges of higher modulation schemes, SerDes advancements, and forward error correction. Our combined expertise will help accelerate the deployment of 1.6T technology, paving the way for the future of high-speed data centers and AI-driven infrastructure.”
Andy Moorwood, Vice President, Hardware Engineering, Network Test & Security Solutions, Keysight, said: “Keysight’s ITS software is the industry’s first comprehensive solution for validating performance in high-speed Ethernet and AI data center interconnects. It helps reduce device failures and drastically reduces the time needed to characterize various interconnects. Moving from a manual and tedious process to one that enables faster, more accurate test suite automation without complex programming significantly boosts productivity.”
Ram Periakaruppan, Vice President and General Manager, Network Test & Security Solutions, Keysight, said: “Keysight is working with the majority of global standards bodies and manufacturers of silicon chips, optical and copper interconnects using 224Gb/s electrical lane interfaces to accelerate development of the ecosystem for 800GE and 1.6T AI network infrastructures. Our 1.6T and 800GE hardware platforms, combined with the ITS software, enable critical interconnect performance evaluations and tremendous gains in testbed productivity. This equips our customers with the tools they need to deploy highly stable and reliable solutions into their networks.”