Network testing solutions provider Ixia announced a testing methodology for evaluating Wi-Fi cellular offload.
As mobile operators begin to rely heavily on Wi-Fi networks to offload data traffic, they need to ensure that the networks have enough capacity and adequate signal quality.
"There's a big difference between standard Wi-Fi at Starbucks and cellular grade Wi-Fi that will offload traffic," Joe Zeto, senior manager, marketing development at Ixia, told FierceBroadbandWireless. "The stakes go up significantly."
Ixia said its new IxVeriWave expands testing Wi-Fi quality beyond traditional site surveys by using a client-centric model that delivers repeatable, large-scale, real-world test scenarios, Zeto said. The product is capable of emulating large numbers of clients, traffic mixes and Wi-Fi-connected devices.
"Wi-Fi networks have forever been tested for coverage but not for service quality and capacity," Zeto said.
Ixia also announced that its end-to-end test solution was used to evaluate a new 802.11n Wi-Fi network for the Dubai World Trade Center, which spans more than 1 million square feet. Ixia said it worked with DWTC to perform multiple pre-deployment assessments that validated traffic handling and coverage capabilities using the IxNetwork and IxLoad testing applications along with the new IxVeriWave solution.
For more:
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- see this other release
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