Ethernetis widely used in LAN Networks and Ethernet at 1-GB and 10-GB speedsis an attractive option for carriers operating in the MAN and WANmarket segments. There was slow Ethernet market growth between 2001and 2003, but in recent times the growth is phenomenal and hasexceeded $20 billion. According to the Research's quarterly marketshare and forecast service, the revenue from L2 and L3 Ethernetswitches is expected to cross $300 million.

10-GBEthernet has been developed to support a wide range of applicationsin the enterprise network. It is basically used in the followingareas.

• Switch-to-switchlinks within the same wiring closet or data center or betweendifferent buildings.

• Allnew desktops and laptops are now shipped with 10/100/1000BASE-Tports.

• 10-GigabitEthernet plays a key role in interconnecting the new generation ofhigh-performance servers

AutomatedSolutions

Agrowing business organization needs an efficient automated Ethernettesting tool to aid in efficient network performance, which willeventually improve ROI for the organization. Automated Ethernettestingis vital to provide high-speed network support. Automated Ethernetnetworktestingtools should cater to performancetestingand check for conformances of complex IP networks, devices andapplications.

Itis imperative for organizations looking for Ethernet testingsolutions to make sure that the tool provides high levels offlexibility and also be able to efficiently emulate networkfunctionality. A popular 10GE wire rate test solution, IxExplorer, iscommonly used in the market now. It is capable of generating,capturing, characterizing and emulating network and applicationtraffic in order to establish definitive performance and conformancemetrics of the device under test.