TestCenter 100G Multi-Speed Appliance and Test Modules (M1, dX3, fX3, mX3, pX3) for L2-3 Ethernet Testing
Multi-speed 100/50/40/25/10G Layer 2-3 Ethernet test modules and the M1 compact appliance for the VIAVI TestCenter platform.
- Inter-NIC and inter-system time synchronization
- Stratum-3 rated oscillator is the default time source. Transmit line clock is at the precise nominal Ethernet rate ± < 1 PPM on initial shipment. Accurate to ± 4.6 PPM 15 years of operation
- Frame time-stamp resolution
- 2.5 ns
- External time sources
- GPS and CDMA-based; IEEE 1588v2 and NTP packet-based; TIA/EIA-95B-based
- Histograms
- Port-level histograms
Overview
TestCenter 100G Test Solutions from VIAVI provide Layer 2–3 validation for data center, service provider and enterprise networks built on 100G Ethernet. The family is centered on the TestCenter chassis platforms (N12U and N4U) fitted with dX3, fX3, mX3 and pX3 multi-speed QSFP28 test modules, plus the M1 compact appliance. The products support performance validation, interoperability testing and long-term network evolution.
The solution comes in two architectures. The modular chassis is intended for high-port-density environments and large-scale Layer 2–3 validation in centralized labs. The M1 compact appliance is a 2U unit for rapid turn-up and benchtop use, where low equipment noise matters. It offers a choice of NIC configurations and uses the same TestCenter workflow.
Test modules
The QSFP28 modules use four 25G electrical lanes per port, and FPGA logic lets them switch between 100, 50, 40, 25 and 10G operation. Each module family is sold as base packages with different speed combinations, and hardware speed options can be added after purchase. The fX3 modules (4- and 6-port) target functional and performance testing. The mX3 4-port module has two multi-core Intel Xeon class CPUs for stateful protocol emulation and supports software-based MACsec. The pX3 and dX3 modules have 12 QSFP28 ports per slot for high-density testing.
Use cases
Typical uses are validating large data center fabrics and core networks with realistic traffic profiles, interoperability and acceptance testing of switches, routers, optics and cables from multiple vendors, and repeatable regression testing after software upgrades, hardware refreshes and topology changes. The platforms also integrate with VIAVI 400G to 1.6T hardware and TestCenter Virtual environments.
Models in this series
| Model | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| MX3-QSFP28-4-225A |
VIAVI mX3 MX3-QSFP28-4-225A 100/50/40/25/10G QSFP28 4-Port Test Module
VIAVI mX3 4-port QSFP28 TestCenter test module with all five speeds: 100, 50, 40, 25 and 10G. |
Details → |
| MX3-QSFP28-4-40A |
VIAVI mX3 MX3-QSFP28-4-40A 40G QSFP28 4-Port Test Module
VIAVI mX3 4-port QSFP28 TestCenter test module, base package configured for 40G only operation. |
Details → |
| MX3-QSFP28-4-50A |
VIAVI mX3 MX3-QSFP28-4-50A 50G QSFP28 4-Port Test Module
VIAVI mX3 4-port QSFP28 TestCenter test module, base package configured for 50G only operation. |
Details → |
| PX3-QSFP28-12-100A |
VIAVI pX3 PX3-QSFP28-12-100A 100G QSFP28 12-Port Test Module
VIAVI pX3 12-port QSFP28 TestCenter test module, base package configured for 100G only operation. |
Details → |
| PX3-QSFP28-12-125A |
VIAVI pX3 PX3-QSFP28-12-125A 100/25G QSFP28 12-Port Test Module
VIAVI pX3 12-port QSFP28 TestCenter test module, base package configured for 100G and 25G operation. |
Details → |
| PX3-QSFP28-12-150A |
VIAVI pX3 PX3-QSFP28-12-150A 100/40/10G QSFP28 12-Port Test Module
VIAVI pX3 12-port QSFP28 TestCenter test module, base package configured for 100G, 40G and 10G operation. |
Details → |
| DX3-100GQ-T12 |
VIAVI TestCenter dX3 DX3-100GQ-T12 12-Port Quint-Speed QSFP28 Test Module
12-port QSFP28 TestCenter test module supporting 100, 50, 40, 25 and 10G Ethernet for high-density Layer 2–3 testing. |
Details → |
| PX3-QSFP28-12-175A |
VIAVI TestCenter pX3 PX3-QSFP28-12-175A 12-Port 100/50/25G QSFP28 Test Module
12-port QSFP28 TestCenter test module for 100G, 50G and 25G Ethernet Layer 2–3 traffic generation and protocol testing. |
Details → |
| PX3-QSFP28-12-225A |
VIAVI TestCenter pX3 PX3-QSFP28-12-225A 12-Port 100/50/40/25/10G QSFP28 Test Module
12-port quint-speed QSFP28 TestCenter test module for 100, 50, 40, 25 and 10G Ethernet Layer 2–3 testing. |
Details → |
Key Features
- High-density Ethernet testing with dX, fX, mX and pX test modules or the M1 appliance with a variety of NIC configurations
- Support for regression testing and long-term network lifecycle assurance
- Line-rate traffic generation and analysis across large port counts
- Precise, repeatable measurement of latency, jitter, throughput and packet loss
- Standards-aligned multi-vendor interoperability validation
- Integration with 400G to 1.6T hardware and TestCenter Virtual environments
- Quint-speed 100/50/40/25/10G QSFP28 interfaces with FPGA-based mode switching
- Enable and disable Clause 74 BASE-R FEC, Clause 91 RS-FEC and Clause 108 RS-FEC, Auto-Negotiation and Link Training
- Hardware speed options to add speeds after purchase of a base package
- Autonomous Flow Tracking (AFT) on fX3 and mX3 modules in 100G speed mode
- Software-based MACsec support on the mX3 4-port module
- 2.5 ns frame time-stamp resolution
- M1 appliance: multi-speed 100/50/40/25/10/5/2.5/1G and 10/100/1000M Ethernet in a 2U form factor
- M1 appliance: low noise for benchtop operation in proximity to users
- M1 appliance: chassis chaining and external timing sync via direct connect, NTP, PTP, GPS and CDMA
- TestCenter MCP Server enables conversational test configuration, execution and analysis
Specifications
M1 Appliance – General
|
Inter-NIC and inter-system time synchronization
M1 |
Stratum-3 rated oscillator is the default time source. Transmit line clock is at the precise nominal Ethernet rate ± < 1 PPM on initial shipment. Accurate to ± 4.6 PPM 15 years of operation |
|---|---|
|
Frame time-stamp resolution
M1 |
2.5 ns |
|
External time sources
M1 |
GPS and CDMA-based; IEEE 1588v2 and NTP packet-based; TIA/EIA-95B-based |
|
Histograms
M1 |
Port-level histograms |
|
Operating condition
M1 |
41° to 86°F (5° to 30°C) ambient temperature
20% to 80% relative humidity |
|
AC input range
M1 |
100-240VAC (Autosensing) |
|
Max power draw
M1 |
Maximum of 2000W |
|
Unit installed weight
M1 |
32 lb. (14.5 kg) |
|
Shipping weight
M1 |
42 lb. (19 kg) |
|
Height
M1 |
2U rack mount height |
|
Dimensions
M1 |
20” (D) x 17.5” (W) x 3.5” (H) or 50.80cm x 44.45 cm x 8.89 cm |
|
Latency measurement resolution
M1 |
2.5 ns Tx timestamp resolution with intra-chassis and inter-chassis synchronization |
M1 Appliance – Kit Configurations
|
Number of ports
M1-KIT-04-START |
4 SFP+ ports
Port speed 10/1G |
|---|---|
|
Media support
M1-KIT-04-START, M1-KIT-06-START |
10G Direct Attach Copper Cable, 10GBASE-SR, 10GBASE-LR, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX, 1000BASE-T |
|
Transmit/receive streams per port
M1-KIT-04-START, M1-KIT-06-START |
64k/128k |
|
Capture buffer size
M1-KIT-04-START, M1-KIT-06-START |
256 MB |
|
Min/max frame size (w/CRC)
M1-KIT-04-START, M1-KIT-06-START |
100% line rate for frames of 58-16383 bytes /Sub-line rate for frames from 33–57 bytes |
|
Number of ports
M1-KIT-06-START |
8 SFP+ ports
Port speed 10/1G |
|
Number of ports
M1-KIT-15-START |
16 SFP ports
Port speed 1000M/100M/10M |
|
Media support
M1-KIT-15-START |
1000MBASE-SX, 1000MBASE-LX, 10/100/1000MBASE-T* (full-duplex only)
VIAVI accessory Part Number (ACC-6092A) is needed to support BASE-T (RJ-45) |
|
Transmit/receive streams per port
M1-KIT-15-START |
32k/64k |
|
Capture buffer size
M1-KIT-15-START |
8 MB |
|
Number of ports
M1-KIT-18-START |
8 SFP ports, 4 SFP+ ports
Port speed 1000M/100M/10M ; 10G/1G |
|
Number of ports
M1-KIT-21-START |
4 QSFP28 ports
Port speed 100G/50G/40G/25G/10G Ethernet |
|
Number of ports
M1-KIT-23-START |
2 QSFP28 ports and 4 SFP+ ports |
|
QSFP28 media support
M1-KIT-21-START, M1-KIT-23-START |
CR, SR, LR, CWDM, CLR, PSM, at multi-rate (100/50/40/25/10G) |
|
Streams per port (DX3 card)
M1-KIT-21-START, M1-KIT-23-START |
Stats/Streams @100G; Tx=8K Rx=16K/4K (Basic Stats/ Latency stats); @50/40G; Tx=8K Rx=8K/2K; @25/10G; Tx=4K Rx=4K/1K |
|
Capture buffer size
M1-KIT-21-START, M1-KIT-23-START, M1-KIT-25-START |
8 MB per port |
|
Min/max frame size (w/CRC)
M1-KIT-21-START, M1-KIT-23-START, M1-KIT-25-START |
60 to 16,004 |
|
Number of ports
M1-KIT-25-START |
8 10G BASE-T ports, 4 SFP ports
1G SFP NIC card: 1000M/100M/10M Ethernet; COPPER card: 10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100M Ethernet |
|
Transmit/receive streams per port
M1-KIT-25-START |
1G SFP NIC card: Tx=32k; Rx=64k; 10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100M COPPER card: Tx=8K; Rx=8K |
fX3 Quint-speed 4-port Module – Port Configurations
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
FX3-QSFP28-4-50A |
50G Only; 8 / 96 / 16 |
|---|---|
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
FX3-QSFP28-4-100A |
100G Only; 4 / 48 / 8 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
FX3-QSFP28-4-125A |
100/25G; 4/16 / 48/192 / 8/32 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
FX3-QSFP28-4-175A |
100/50/25G; 4/8/16 / 48/96/192 / 8/16/32 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
FX3-QSFP28-4-150A |
100/40/10G; 4/4/16 / 48/48/192 / 8/8/32 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
FX3-QSFP28-4-225A |
100/50/40/25/10G; 4/8/4/16/16 / 48/96/48/192/192 / 8/16/8/32/32 |
|
Frame length range
FX3-QSFP28-4, FX3-QSFP28-6 |
100% line rate for frames of 64-16383 bytes
Controlled by fixed, increment, decrement, random and IMIX modes |
|
Transmit clock adjustment
FX3-QSFP28-4, FX3-QSFP28-6 |
±100 PPM in 1 PPM increments per 2 100G ports |
fX3 Quint-speed 6-port Modules – Port Configurations
|
Speed; max ports per slot / SPT-N12U
FX3-QSFP28-6-50A |
50G Only; 12 / 144 |
|---|---|
|
Speed; max ports per slot / SPT-N12U
FX3-QSFP28-6-100A |
100G Only; 6 / 72 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / SPT-N12U
FX3-QSFP28-6-125A |
100/25G; 6/24 / 72/288 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / SPT-N12U
FX3-QSFP28-6-175A |
100/50/25G; 6/12/24 / 72/144/288 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / SPT-N12U
FX3-QSFP28-6-150A |
100/40/10G; 6/6/24 / 72/72/288 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / SPT-N12U
FX3-QSFP28-6-225A |
100/50/40/25/10G; 6/12/6/24/24 / 72/144/72/288/288 |
fX3 / mX3 Modules – Common Specifications
|
Transmit / receive streams per port
FX3-QSFP28-4, FX3-QSFP28-6, MX3-QSFP28-4 |
64k TX and 128k RX for all speeds |
|---|---|
|
VFDs and variable fields
FX3-QSFP28-4, FX3-QSFP28-6, MX3-QSFP28-4 |
6 VFDs available for each 1k (100G) and 512 (50/40/25/10G) stream templates; 4 m route insertion table entries for all speeds |
|
Capture
FX3-QSFP28-4, FX3-QSFP28-6, MX3-QSFP28-4 |
1 MB per 100G or 40G port; 512 kB per 50G port; 256 kB per 25G port |
|
Inter-chassis timing chain synchronization
FX3-QSFP28-4, FX3-QSFP28-6, MX3-QSFP28-4 |
±20ns |
|
Frame time stamp resolution
FX3-QSFP28-4, FX3-QSFP28-6, MX3-QSFP28-4 |
2.5ns |
|
Statistics
FX3-QSFP28-4, FX3-QSFP28-6, MX3-QSFP28-4 |
Nearly 50 transmit stats per port reported in real time; over 40 real-time measurements per stream |
|
Operating temperature
FX3-QSFP28-4, FX3-QSFP28-6, MX3-QSFP28-4 |
15°C - 35°C, 20% - 80% RH (non-condensing) |
| Media support (100G mode) |
100GBASE-SR4, 100GBASE-CR4, 100GBASE-LR4, plus additional MSA PMDs
Support varies by module speed mode |
| FEC options | Clause 74 BASE-R FEC, Clause 91 RS-FEC, and Clause 108 RS-FEC |
mX3 Quint-speed 4-port Module – Port Configurations
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
MX3-QSFP28-4-50A |
50G Only; 8 / 96 / 16 |
|---|---|
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
MX3-QSFP28-4-100A |
100G Only; 4 / 48 / 8 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
MX3-QSFP28-4-125A |
100/25G; 4/16 / 48/192 / 8/32 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
MX3-QSFP28-4-175A |
100/50/25G; 4/8/16 / 48/96/192 / 8/16/32 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
MX3-QSFP28-4-150A |
100/40/10G; 4/4/16 / 48/48/192 / 8/8/32 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
MX3-QSFP28-4-225A |
100/50/40/25/10G; 4/8/4/16/16 / 48/96/48/192/192 / 8/16/8/32/32 |
|
Frame length range
MX3-QSFP28-4 |
100% line rate for frames of 58-16383 bytes
Controlled by fixed, increment, decrement, random and IMIX modes |
|
MACsec support
MX3-QSFP28-4 |
Same MACsec feature set on MX3-QSFP28-4 module that is present on other VIAVI hardware |
pX3 Quint-speed 12-port Modules
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
PX3-QSFP28-12-100A |
100G Only; 12 / 144 / 24 |
|---|---|
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
PX3-QSFP28-12-125A |
100/25G; 12/48 / 144/576 / 24/96 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
PX3-QSFP28-12-175A |
100/50/25G; 12/24/48 / 144/288/576 / 24/48/96 |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
PX3-QSFP28-12-150A |
100/40/10G; 12/12/48 / 144/144/576 / 24/24/576
N4U value as printed in the datasheet |
|
Speed; max ports per slot / N12U / N4U
PX3-QSFP28-12-225A |
100/50/40/25/10G; 12/24/12/48/48 / 144/288/144/576/576 / 24/48/24/96/96 |
|
Number of streams
PX3-QSFP28-12 |
Stats/Streams @100G ; Tx=32K Rx=32K/32K/16K (Performance/ Basic Stats/ Latency stats); @50/40G; Tx=8K Rx=8K/8K; @25/10G; Tx=4K Rx=4K/4K |
|
Min/max frame size (w/CRC)
PX3-QSFP28-12 |
60 to 16,004 |
|
Min/max Tx rates
PX3-QSFP28-12 |
1 packet per 3.43 seconds to 101% of line rate |
|
Capture buffer size
PX3-QSFP28-12 |
8 MB per port |
|
QSFP28 interconnects
PX3-QSFP28-12 |
CR, SR, LR, CWDM, CLR, PSM, at multi-rate (100/50/40/25/10G), PAM4 (50G) |
|
Module weight
PX3-QSFP28-12 |
2.5 kg, 5.45 lbs |
|
Module predicted MTBF
PX3-QSFP28-12 |
56,330 hours
Hours of continuous operation |
|
Operating temperature range
PX3-QSFP28-12 |
41° to 95°F (5° to 35°C) ambient temperature
20% to 80% relative humidity |
|
Max power draw per module
PX3-QSFP28-12 |
Maximum of 420 W per slot |
dX3 Quint-speed 12-port Module
|
Speed; max ports per slot / chassis
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
100/50/40/25/10G; 12/24/12/48/48 per slot; 144/288/144/576/576 per N12U chassis; 24/48/24/96/96 per SPT-N4U chassis
Datasheet table header reads 'STP-N11U Chassis' |
|---|---|
|
Number of streams
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
Stats/Streams @100G; Tx=8K Rx=16K/4K (Basic Stats/Latency stats); @50/40G; Tx=8K Rx=8K/2K; @25/10G; Tx=4K Rx=4K/1K |
|
Min/max frame size (w/CRC)
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
60 to 16,004 |
|
Min/max Tx rates
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
1 packet per 3.43 seconds to 101% of line rate |
|
Capture buffer size
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
8 MB per port |
|
Inter-chassis synchronization
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
± 20ns
VIAVI-patented self-calibrating inter-chassis timing chain |
|
Layer-1 debug tools
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
CR Tx Emphasis settings, Rx Eye view, FEC Counters, PRBS Gen/Check, Front-end L1 Summary Status, Xcvr I2C access |
|
Module weight
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
3.219 kg, 5.45lbs.
Metric and imperial values as printed do not match |
|
Module predicted MTBF
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
56,330 hours of continuous operation |
|
Operating temperature range
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
41° to 95° F (5° to 35° C) ambient temperature
20% to 80% relative humidity |
|
Max power draw per module
DX3-100GQ-T12 |
Maximum of 420W per slot |
Applications
- Large-scale data center and core network validation
- Interoperability and acceptance testing
- Regression testing and network evolution
- SDN and data center validation
- Device benchmarking with RFC 2544, RFC 2889 and RFC 3918
- Service provider core and edge routers
- Data center top of rack, spine and core switches
- Carrier Ethernet services
- Subscriber emulation
- High-scale terabit routers
- High-capacity multiservice routers
Options & Accessories
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| ACC-6095A | Optical Transceiver QSFP28 100GBASE-SR4 MMF 850NM |
| ACC-6096A | Optical Transceiver QSFP28 100GBASE-LR4 SMF 1310NM |
| ACC-1034A | Copper DAC QSFP28 100GBASE-CR4 1M |
| ACC-1035A | Copper DAC QSFP28 100GBASE-CR4 3M |
| ACC-1038A | Copper DAC QSFP28 100GBASE-CR4 5M |
| ACC-6092A | BASE-T (RJ-45) accessory — Needed to support BASE-T (RJ-45) on M1 SFP NIC kits |
| BPK-1407 | Autonomous Flow Tracking (AFT) Package — Only supported in 100G speed mode on fX3 4-port, fX3 6-port and mX3 4-port modules |
| HWO-FX3-QSFP28-4-100G | 100G Hardware Speed Option for FX3-QSFP28-4 |
| HWO-FX3-QSFP28-4-50G | 50G Hardware Speed Option for FX3-QSFP28-4 |
| HWO-FX3-QSFP28-4-40G | 40G Hardware Speed Option for FX3-QSFP28-4 |
| HWO-FX3-QSFP28-4-25G | 25G Hardware Speed Option for FX3-QSFP28-4 |
| HWO-FX3-QSFP28-4-10G | 10G Hardware Speed Option for FX3-QSFP28-4 |
| HWO-FX3-QSFP28-6-100G | 100G Hardware Speed Option for FX3-QSFP28-6 |
| HWO-FX3-QSFP28-6-50G | 50G Hardware Speed Option for FX3-QSFP28-6 |
| HWO-FX3-QSFP28-6-40G | 40G Hardware Speed Option for FX3-QSFP28-6 |
| HWO-FX3-QSFP28-6-25G | 25G Hardware Speed Option for FX3-QSFP28-6 |
| HWO-FX3-QSFP28-6-10G | 10G Hardware Speed Option for FX3-QSFP28-6 |
| HWO-MX3-QSFP28-4-100G | 100G Hardware Speed Option for MX3-QSFP28-4 |
| HWO-MX3-QSFP28-4-50G | 50G Hardware Speed Option for MX3-QSFP28-4 |
| HWO-MX3-QSFP28-4-40G | 40G Hardware Speed Option for MX3-QSFP28-4 |
| HWO-MX3-QSFP28-4-25G | 25G Hardware Speed Option for MX3-QSFP28-4 |
| HWO-MX3-QSFP28-4-10G | 10G Hardware Speed Option for MX3-QSFP28-4 |
| SWO-MX3-QSFP28-4-MACSEC | MACsec Software on MX3-QSFP28-4 100G Test Modules |
| HWO-PX3-QSFP28-12-100G | 100G Hardware Speed Option for PX3-QSFP28-12 |
| HWO-PX3-QSFP28-12-50G | 50G Hardware Speed Option for PX3-QSFP28-12 |
| HWO-PX3-QSFP28-12-40G | 40G Hardware Speed Option for PX3-QSFP28-12 |
| HWO-PX3-QSFP28-12-25G | 25G Hardware Speed Option for PX3-QSFP28-12 |
| HWO-PX3-QSFP28-12-10G | 10G Hardware Speed Option for PX3-QSFP28-12 |
| SPT-N12U-110 | VIAVI N12U chassis and controller with 110VAC power supplies |
| SPT-N12U-220 | VIAVI N12U chassis and controller with 220VAC power supplies |
| SPT-N12U-220-LC | VIAVI N12U-LC chassis and controller with 220VAC power supplies |
| SPT-N4U-110 | VIAVI N4U chassis and controller with 110VAC power supplies |
| SPT-N4U-220 | VIAVI N4U chassis and controller with 220VAC power supplies |
Documents & Resources
M1 Multi-Speed Appliance
datasheet · PDF
FX3 4-Port Quint-Speed QSFP28 Modules
datasheet · PDF
FX3 6-Port Quint-Speed QSFP28 Modules
datasheet · PDF
MX3 Quint-Speed 4-Port QSFP28 Modules
datasheet · PDF
PX3 12-Port Quint-Speed QSFP28 Modules
datasheet · PDF
DX3 12-Port Quint-Speed QSFP28 Module
datasheet · PDF
N12U Mainframe Chassis
datasheet · PDF
N4U Compact Chassis
datasheet · PDF
High-Speed Ethernet Product Portfolio
brochure · PDF
TestCenter Platforms
brochure · PDF