Optus Microwave Radio RFC 2544-Based Benchmarking and Stability Test Procedure and Overview

Optus RFC 2544 defines a series of tests that can be used to describe the performance characteristics of network interconnecting devices.

RFC 2544 tests are performed by transmitting test packets from a device that functions as the generator or the initiator. These packets are sent to a device that functions as the reflector, which receives and returns the packets back to the initiator.

The RFC 2544 tests to measure the following

• Throughput
• Latency
• Frame loss rate
• Back-to-back frames

Results Marking Basis by Optus

The individual tests are usually marked in accordance with the following criteria:

• Pass (P) – the system fully satisfies Optus requirement
• Pass Conditional (PC) – the test only partially meets Optus requirements, with the aspects of the non-compliance captured in the “Remarks” section
• Fail (F) – the test did not meet Optus requirement
• Requires Clarification (RQ) – The system meets Optus requirement, subject to Vendor providing further clarifications/explanations in relation to the test outcome. The items that need to be clarified will be captured in the “Remarks” section

Test Objective Overview of Optus RFC 2544

Link Performance
RFC 2544 Test	The test aims to assess the system’s capability to support the required link capacities, system latency and back-to-back frame loss.
Stability Test	To determine the System running without unexpected performance degradation. Greenfield Stab test for 1 hour. Brownfield Stab test for 15 mins.

Test Setup

The diagram in Figure 1 shows the start-up configuration need to be set to facilitate the testing.

Test environment set-up

Test Equipment Used

The following test equipment can be used for automated testing:

Ethernet/LAN Performance Analyser:

JDSU/Viavi 5800 V2

EXFO FTB-1 with NetBlazer 880

Link Performance Tests

RFC 2544 Test

Test Configuration: 2+0 / 4+0 IP-20N Link. With Radio types: RFU-D, or RFU-D-HP

Procedure:

1. Set-up the test topology.
2. Connect the Ethernet test set to GbE port on NE, if the link capacity is higher than 1Gbps, use the Lic-X port.
3. Set the radio link to operate using 1024LQAM modulation.

Run Throughput/Jitter, Latency and frames loss benchmarking test as per RFC2544 for frame sizes of 64, and 1608 bytes only, run the test for ˜15min.

Expected Results:

Throughput should meet the designed capacity of the radio link.  Latency one way for a single hop radio should be less than 6ms.

Stability test

Test Objective:  To determine the System carrying traffic without unexpected performance degradation

Test Configuration: 2+0 / 4+0 IP-20N Link. With Radio types: RFU-D, or RFU-D-HP

Procedure:

1. Set-up the test topology
2. Traffic load:  90% capacity (note: when physical layer aggregation is deployed such as Radio Based MC-ABC, or TCC Based MC-ABC), the traffic load should be equivalent to total effective capacity, traffic patter constant at 1608 bytes packet size.
3. Run the test based on the below scenarios:
4. Greenfield Stab test for 1 hour.

Brownfield Stab test for 15 mins.

Expected Results:

No packet drops for tester.