EXFO Expands OTN Test Capabilities, Enabling Providers to Fully Unlock the Potential of 40G Networks

    Industry's most powerful and portable, multiservice 40/43G transport test
    module now offers ODU multiplexing capabilities and independent Tx/Rx
    settings for more comprehensive OTN testing

QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. ( EXFO, TSX: EXF) announced today the introduction of a software suite that brings new functionalities to the FTB-8140 Transport Blazer 40/43 Gigabit SONET/SDH/OTN Test Module. An industry leader in 40/43G field testing, the FTB-8140 Transport Blazer now supports full ODU multiplexing capability as well as independent transmission/reception settings, making it the most complete 40/43G tester on the market.

With the ODU multiplexing functionality on the FTB-8140 Transport Blazer, service providers can now test ODU1 and ODU2 containers within the OTU3 signal. Furthermore, the FTB-8140 Transport Blazer offers complete flexibility so that SONET/SDH payloads as well as 10 Gigabit Ethernet can be mapped into the ODU1 or ODU2 containers, ensuring that tests reflect more real-life testing parameters. In addition to the ODU multiplexing functionality, the FTB-8140 Transport Blazer now also supports independent transmission/reception settings, enabling service providers to properly qualify and validate network elements at installation.

With these new capabilities, the FTB-8140 Transport Blazer maintains its technical leadership as the most comprehensive 43G field test solution on the market, bringing to service providers the tool they need to guarantee their service-level agreements (SLAs) and fully unlock the potential of their 40/43G networks. Moreover, when combined with the FTB-8130NGE Power Blazer Next-Generation Multiservice Test Module housed in the powerful FTB-500 Platform, the FTB-8140 Transport Blazer becomes part of the industry's most compact and only portable multiservice test solution covering DSn/PDH, SONET/SDH, OTN, Ethernet and Fibre Channel for rates ranging from 1.5 Mbit/s to 43 Gbit/s.

Additional features also available with this latest software release include SONET/SDH payload block and replace capability for easier troubleshooting and maintenance.

"As 40G networks become more and more prevalent and with OTN becoming the ubiquitous transport mechanism, it is essential for service providers to be able to adequately qualify and test their networks to get maximum return on their investment," said Etienne Gagnon, EXFO's Vice-President of Product Management and Marketing. "With today's announcement, EXFO is once again showing its leadership in 40G testing and its unparalleled understanding of the challenges facing service providers today."

For more information on the FTB-8140 Transport Blazer 40/43 Gigabit SONET/SDH/OTN Test Module or the FTB-500 Platform, please visit www.EXFO.com.

About EXFO

EXFO is a leading provider of test and service assurance solutions for network service providers and equipment manufacturers in the global telecommunications industry. The Telecom Division offers a wide range of innovative solutions extending across the full technology lifecycle - from design to technology deployment and onto service assurance - and covering all layers on a network infrastructure to enable triple-play services and next-generation, converged IP networking. The Life Sciences and Industrial Division offers solutions in medical device and opto-electronics assembly, fluorescence microscopy and other life science sectors. For more information, visit www.EXFO.com.

SOURCE EXFO ELECTRO-OPTICAL ENGINEERING INC.