Keysight Technologies, Inc. has announced Interconnect Test System (ITS), an advanced software solution, and Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 1600GE (INPT-1600GE) hardware traffic emulator it runs on. This cohesive solution validates artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, network components, and data centre interconnects from 200GE to 1600GE, expanding on the capabilities of the recently announced Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 800GE benchtop. The ITS software runs on both the 800GE and 1600GE Interconnect and Network Performance Tester platforms.

The new Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 1600GE, with ITS software, delivers a holistic system that can organise, store, and use data intelligently to automate interconnect validation in high-speed Ethernet networks and AI data centres.

Benefits of the solution include:

  • Adaptable and versatile high-speed Ethernet platform – The INPT-1600GE platform is lightweight and office quiet, supporting high power consumption optical receivers up to 40 watts. Available as a portable benchtop unit or rackmount chassis, both models support 1x1600GE, 2x800GE, 4x400GE, and 8x200GE to validate a broad range of Ethernet devices and interconnects that use 212Gb/s electrical lane interfaces. The benchtop model has a built-in handle for easy movement inside or outside the lab. The INPT-1600GE assesses the reliability, stability, and interoperability of silicon chips, optical transceivers, active cables, and networking equipment at speeds from 200GE to 1600GE PAM4 for layers 1 through 3 on any port.
  • Redefines interconnect data storage and organisation – The ITS software includes a first-of-its-kind, US patent pending Interconnect Library (IL) that introduces a new way to organise, retrieve, and use interconnect data, including common management interface specification (CMIS) data. CMIS standardizes how high-speed interconnects are programmed and how the data is retrieved and used in networking systems. This cutting-edge library organises all data and creates a comprehensive record that can be used to create and execute new tests. Once a record is created, it is automatically added to the IL self-serve database, where users can retrieve, reuse, edit, and update records. This dramatically increases productivity and accelerates the creation of automated test suites without advanced programming.
  • Optimise interconnect validation efficiency – The browser-based ITS software includes a robust and fast graphical user interface (GUI) that allows multiple users to simultaneously run or schedule tests using the application’s advanced multi-user test scheduler. Using this tool increases test case throughput, allowing more tests to run unattended by a greater number of users.
  • Automated report generator – Allows users to report on all the data from the IL records, including test results and CMIS data that includes PASS/FAIL information. This helps streamline the development process for interconnects and can also be used for manufacturing test applications using automated reports.

Commenting on the announcement, Khushrow Machhi, senior director of marketing, physical layer products division, 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 centres and AI-driven infrastructure.”

Meanwhile, Andy Moorwood, vice president, hardware engineering, network test and 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 centre interconnects. It helps reduce device failures and drastically reduces the time needed to characterise 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.”

In addition, Ram Periakaruppan, vice president and general manager, network test and 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.”