Keysight Debuts 1.6T Platform and First-of-its-Kind Software to Automate Validation of Network Interconnect Performance

• Versatile 1.6 Terabit Ethernet platform in portable benchtop or rackmount solutions, with application support for validating silicon chips to network equipment performance
• Validates functionality and reliability in 200GE to1600GE interconnects in high-speed Ethernet and AI network infrastructures
• Delivers a new methodology that transforms how interconnects are validated, setting a new standard for efficiency, accuracy, and automation

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) announced the Interconnect Test System (ITS), an advanced software solution, and the Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 1600GE (INPT-1600GE) hardware traffic emulator it runs on. This cohesive solution validates AI infrastructure, network components, and data center 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.

For decades, validating network interconnect performance required a manual, time-consuming process with limited or no automation and needed advanced programming skills to write scripts. That process also lacked a centralized system to organize and store interconnect data and reports, making tracking and replicating tests and configurations difficult. With the increasing diversity and scale of AI and data center interconnects, these traditional test methods cannot accurately predict and measure the reliability of today’s complex production networks.

The new Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 1600GE, with ITS software, delivers a holistic system that can organize, store, and use data intelligently to automate interconnect validation in high-speed Ethernet networks and AI data centers. 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 organization – The ITS software includes a first-of-its-kind, US patent pending Interconnect Library (IL) that introduces a new way to organize, 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 organizes 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.

• Optimize 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.

Khushrow Machhi, Senior Director of Marketing, Physical Layer Products Division at 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 centers and AI-driven infrastructure.”

Andy Moorwood, Vice President, Hardware Engineering, Network Test & 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 center interconnects. It helps reduce device failures and drastically reduces the time needed to characterize 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.”

Ram Periakaruppan, Vice President and General Manager, Network Test & 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.”

Keysight will showcase the ITS software and high-speed Ethernet hardware platform in booth #1301 from April 1 – April 3 at the OFC Conference, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA

Resources

• Product Page: Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 1600GE
• Solution Brief: Interconnect and Network Performance Tester 1600GE Solution Brief
• Solution Flyer: Interconnect Test System (ITS) Software Flyer

About Keysight Technologies

At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product lifecycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.