TestCenter A2 400G 8-port QSFP-DD Appliance A2-400-QD-8

8-port 2U QSFP-DD test appliance for Layer 2-3 Ethernet testing at 400/200/100/50G PAM4 and 200/100/50/40/25/10G NRZ.

Ports: 8-port 2U high appliance
MSA Interface: QSFP-DD
Operational Modes: PAM4 - 400/200/100/50G; NRZ - 200/100/50/40/25/10G
Line Clocking and Packet Time-Stamping: 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.

Datasheet

Overview

The VIAVI TestCenter A2-400-QD-8 is the 8-port member of the A2 400G appliance family, a 2U rack-mountable QSFP-DD test platform. Each port can be configured for 400/200/100/50G speed modes using 50G PAM4 encoding and for 200/100/50/40/25/10G speed modes using NRZ encoding, with Auto-Negotiation and Link Training supported in all speed modes.

The appliance was developed for multi-rate validation of switches and routers used in data center networking interconnects, where test equipment with higher port density and a favourable cost-performance ratio is required. The A2 supports VIAVI Smart Port Technology, a licensed feature that allows single-port and speed upgrades, and the 8-port appliance can be upgraded to 16 ports through licensing. A high-density 100G mode option provides 4xQSFP28 from a single QSFP-DD port.

TestCenter Layer 2-3 generator and analyzer

The A2 runs the TestCenter Layer 2-3 generator and analyzer with per-stream and per-port statistics analyzed in real time, Priority Flow Control, packet capture with filtering, and benchmark latency measurement. Results are processed by a database beneath a web UI, with user-definable Health Indicator views and Time Series charts overlaid with events for error isolation.

Automation

Command Sequencer visual programming and GUI to Script allow automated test cases to be built without programming, combined into a single run, and exported for headless command-line execution within an automated regression system. Scripting is supported from Linux or Windows workstations and a REST API from Mac, Linux or Windows workstations.

Key Features

8-port 2U rack-mountable QSFP-DD appliance
Each port supports PAM4: 1x400G, 2x200G, 4x100G, 8x50G
Each port supports NRZ: 1x200G, 2x100G, 4x50G, 2x40G, 8x25G, 8x10G
Available single port upgrades
High density 64xQSFP28 port option (requires external accessory and license)
Support for Ethernet FEC, Auto Negotiation and Link Training for all supported speeds and full breakouts
Protocol testing for L2/3 routing/switching and data center test cases
PAM4 and NRZ in one platform
MACsec supported
8 to 16 port upgrade available via licensing
Smart Port Technology licensed single port and speed upgrades
Synchronized timing of up to 255 systems with no external timing devices or specialized cabling
User-definable Health Indicator views and customizable Time Series charts overlaid with Events
Command Sequencer visual programming and GUI to Script automation
Export of automated test cases for headless command-line execution

Specifications

General

Ports A2-400-QD-8	8-port 2U high appliance 8 and 16 port variants available; 8 to 16 port upgrade via licensing
MSA Interface	QSFP-DD
Operational Modes	PAM4 - 400/200/100/50G; NRZ - 200/100/50/40/25/10G
Line Clocking and Packet Time-Stamping	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 of 2.5 ns; GPS and CDMA-based, IEEE 1588v2 and NTP packet-based, and TIA/EIA-95B-based external time sources are supported
Appliance Time Synchronization	VIAVI-patented self-calibrating inter-chassis timing chain using dedicated port on chassis control; appliance delivers precise synchronization ± 20 ns; ability to daisy chain up to 255 appliances for large density testing Synchronization via external GPS or CDMA network, IEEE 1588 or NTP packet-based approaches, or TIA/EIA-95B timing inputs
Operating Temperature Range	50° to 95°F (10° to 35°C) when using QSFP-DD transceivers rated up to 15 W When using QSFP-DD transceivers exceeding 15 W, the maximum operating temperature is 86°F (30°C); 10% to 80% relative humidity (non-condensing). The minimum operating temperature is 41°F (5°C).
AC Input Range A2-400-QD-8	100 - 240 VAC 8-Port Appliance
Max Power Draw A2-400-QD-8	1340 W 8-Port Appliance
Product Weight (unit installed)	62 lb (28.2 kg)
Product Weight (shipping)	86 lb (39.1 kg)
Product Dimensions	17.1 in W x 3.5 in H x 29.5 in L (43.4 cm x 8.9 cm x 74.9 cm)

TestCenter Layer 2-3 Generator and Analyzer

Stats/Streams @400G	Tx=16 K, Rx=32 K TOP to TX = 64 K, RX = 128 K @400G with VIAVI XStream license
Stats/Streams @200G	Tx=8 K, Rx=16 K
Stats/Streams @100G	Tx=4 K, Rx=8 K TX = 32 K, RX = 32 K @100G with VIAVI XStream license
Stats/Streams @50G	Tx=2 K, Rx=4 K
Stats/Streams @40G	Tx=2 K, Rx=4 K
Stats/Streams @25G	Tx=2 K, Rx=4 K
Stats/Streams @10G	Tx=2 K, Rx=4 K
Per-Stream Statistics	Tx Count (frames), Rx Count (frames), Tx Rate (fps), Rx Rate (fps), Tx Rate (bps), Rx Rate (bps), Rx Sig Count (Frames), Avg Latency (µs), Min Latency (µs), Max Latency (µs) Stream fields can be varied to create billions of flows
Number of Paths/Raw Streamblocks	255 modifiers for 400/200/100G, and 127 modifiers for 50/40/25/10G 511 @400/100G with VIAVI XStream license
Frame Transmit Modes	Port-based (rate per port), Stream-based (rate per stream), Burst, Timed, Step Transmission, and manual scheduler mode, random frame size with unique seed
Min/Max Frame Size (w/CRC)	60 to 16,004
Min/Max Tx Rates	1 packet per 3.43 seconds to 101% of line rate
Real-time Tx Stream Adjustments	Change rate and frame length settings without stopping the generator or analyzer
Per-Stream Statistics Analyzed in Real Time	Tx and Rx frame counts and rates; Tx and Rx Layer 1 byte counts and rates; FCS errors and rate; Min, Max and Average Latency; Real Time Dropped Frame count; Advance Sequence Tracking (AST) stat on 400/200/100/50G speed modes
Flow Control	Support Priority Flow Control
Per-Port Statistics Analyzed in Real Time	Tx and Rx frame counts and rates; Tx and Rx Layer 1 byte counts and rates; Total byte count/rate; Signature frame count; L1 byte and rate count; FCS error count and rate; PFC counts
Transmit Timestamp Resolution	2.5 ns Tx timestamp resolution with intra-chassis and inter-chassis synchronization
Supported Encapsulations	Layer 2: Ethernet II, 802.1Q, 802.1ad, FCoE; Layer 3/4: IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP
Supported Tx Signature Capability	Fully compatible with VIAVI hardware; contains sequence number and highly accurate timestamp
Capture Buffer Size (400G)	640 KB per port
Capture Buffer Size (200/100G)	512 KB per port
Capture Buffer Size (50/40/25/10G)	256 KB per port
Capture Buffer Controls	Filter by protocol fields, filter by byte offset and range; store slices or full-frames; store TX/RX control plane with data plane; real-time mode for control plane traffic; wrap or stop buffer at the end. User-defined pattern definitions can logically combine 8 filters of up to 32 total bytes. Pre-defined events: FCS; undersize, oversize, jumbo, and user-defined frame length; IPv4 and IPv6 packets; test signature present and test stream ID match. Supports UDC (user defined counters), capture byte offset mode, capture pattern matching.
Latency Modes	Benchmark tests support LIFO, LILO, FIFO or FILO latency calculation methods
Route Insertion Table (RIT) Entries Per Port	400/200G: 128 k; 100G: 64 k; 50/40/25/10G: 32 k Entries for dynamic label or random IP/MAC address assignments
RIT or List VFD Entries Per Stream	8 RIT insertions per stream and 4 VFD insertions per stream

Layer 1 Functionality

QSFP/QSFP-DD Interconnects	CR, SR, LR, FR, DR, PSM4, ZR, and ZR+ at multi-rate (400/200/100/50/40/25/10G) For transceivers that consume more than 20 watts of power, consult the factory before using these optics in the system
PAM4 Media Support - 400G	400GBASE-SR8, 400GBASE-DR4, 400GBASE-FR4/FR8, 400GBASE-LR4/LR8, 400GBASE-ZR and ZR+ plus additional MSA PMDs PAM4 support varies by speed mode (RS-544 (KP4) FEC all speeds)
PAM4 Media Support - 200G	200GBASE-SR4, 200GBASE-DR4 200GBASE-FR4/LR4
PAM4 Media Support - 100G	100GBASE-CR2 (Active Electrical Copper Cable) Direct Access Copper and Active Optical Cable breakouts
NRZ Media Support - 200G	200GBASE-SR8 NRZ support varies by module speed mode and license (Clause 74 BASE-R FEC, Clause 91 RS-FEC, and Clause 108 RS-FEC)
NRZ Media Support - 100G	100GBASE-SR4, 100GBASE-CR4, 100GBASE-LR4, 100GBASE-DR, 100GBASE-FR1, 100GBASE-LR1 plus additional MSA PMDs
NRZ Media Support - 50G	25/50G Consortium 50GBASE-CR2
NRZ Media Support - 40G	40GBASE-SR4, 40GBASE-CR4, 40GBASE-LR4
NRZ Media Support - 25G	802.3by 25GBASE-CR, 25GBASE-CRS, 25GBASE-SR
NRZ Media Support - 10G	10GBASE-SR, 10G Copper DAC Direct Access Copper and Active Optical Cable breakouts
NRZ FEC Options	25/50G Consortium 50GBase-R FEC CL74, 25/50G Consortium 50GBase RS-FEC CL91; IEEE 25GBASE CR CL74, CL108, CR-S CL74, SR FEC CL108; 25/50G Consortium 25GBase-R FEC CL74, 25/50G Consortium 25GBase RS-FEC CL91
AN/LT (Enable/Disable)	AN/LT supported for all speed modes
Layer-1 Debug Tools and Features	Tx Emphasis settings, FEC Counters, Front-end L1 Summary Status, Transceiver management interface access, PCS monitoring, PCS skew, FEC error injection, PCS random error injection, L1 Transceiver Auto Tune Command

Requirements

GUI Operation	Windows-based workstation with 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet NIC; mouse and color monitor required
Scripting	Linux- or Windows-based workstation
Rest API Support	Mac-, Linux-, or Windows-based workstation

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

Cloud computing and streaming services
Data center ToR and EoR switches and fabrics
Next-generation routers and switches
Service provider and core network testing
Interoperability and acceptance testing
Pre-deployment and regression validation

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
A2-400-QD-8-350A	A2 8-PORT QSFP-DD 200G/100G/50G PAM4 Bundle — Base package bundle
A2-400-QD-8-400A	A2 8-PORT QSFP-DD 400G PAM4 Only — Base package bundle
A2-400-QD-8-550A	A2 8-PORT QSFP-DD 400G/100G/50G PAM4 Bundle — Base package bundle
A2-400-QD-8-700A	A2 8-PORT QSFP-DD 400G/200G/100G PAM4 Bundle — Base package bundle
A2-400-QD-8-750A	A2 8-PORT QSFP-DD 400G/200G/100G/50G PAM4 Bundle — Base package bundle
A2-400-QD-8-825A	A2 8-PORT QSFP-DD 400G/200G/100G/50G/40G/25G/10G PAM4 and NRZ Bundle — Base package bundle
A2-400-QD-8-T1S	A2 8-PORT QSFP-DD 7-Speed T1 Appliance — Base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-50G	50G PAM4 Hardware Speed Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-100G	100G PAM4 Hardware Speed Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-200G	200G PAM4 Hardware Speed Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-400G	400G PAM4 Hardware Speed Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-NRZ10G	10G NRZ Hardware Speed Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-NRZ25G	25G NRZ Hardware Speed Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-NRZ40G	40G NRZ Hardware Speed Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-NRZ50G	50G NRZ Hardware Speed Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-NRZ100G	100G NRZ Hardware Speed Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-NRZ200G	200G NRZ Hardware Speed Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-400-QD-8-Port	A2 QSFP-DD-8P Single Port Enablement — Hardware upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
HWO-A2-QSFP-DD-8-4QSFP28	Hardware Option for A2-400-QD-8-T1S 400G PAM4 to 4x100G QSFP28 NRZ — Required for the 100G (QSFP28) high-density 64x100G license
SWO-A2-400-QD-8-MACSEC	MACSEC Software on A2-400-QD-8-T1S Appliance — Software upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle
SWO-A2-400-QD-8-AST	Advanced Sequence Tracking 400/100G ON A2-400-QD-8-T1S — Software upgrade, available as add on after purchase of initial base package bundle