- Allows network operators to segment their networks and proactively identify service-impacting issues
- Enables continuous on-demand testing and live monitoring
- Offers the most options for end-to-end monitoring of critical KPIs and KQIs
End-to-End Performance Verification Options
The open architecture of the BrixWorx service assurance correlation and analysis software engine enables EXFO Service Assurance (formerly Brix Networks) to scale its monitoring sources across the most demanding and distributed networks. BrixWorx supports Brix Verifiers, Brix software agents, third-party devices, and standard interfaces to collect key performance indicators (KPIs) and key quality indicators (KQIs) across an operator's entire network. From the core of a network to customer endpoints, the Brix System enables providers to continually monitor their customers' quality of experience (QoE) and verify service level agreements (SLAs) for all their IP-based services.
Brix Verifiers and Agents
The Brix Verifier family, comprised of a full array of highly scalable appliances and extensible software agents, offers maximum deployment flexibility and supports any combination of IP services (voice, video, data), network infrastructure, and network performance tests. By installing Brix Verifiers in MPLS core networks, data centers, PoPs, peering points, and directly at customer sites, network operators can manageably segment their networks to more easily localize problems and identify root causes of service performance and quality issues.
EXFO Service Assurance monitoring devices include the following:
- Brix 100 Series Verifier — Installed at customer locations to create a customer premise-service provider demarc
- Brix 1000 Series Verifier — Deployed at the network edge (metro hubs, regional Head Ends, PoPs, and data centers)
- Brix 2000 Series Verifier — Designed for deployment in high-speed locations, such as MPLS core networks, peering points, large metro PoPs, and national Head Ends
- Brix 3500T Verifier — Installed on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) portion of a service provider's network
- Brix 4000/4100 Series Verifier — Deployed throughout service providers' networks to monitor live voice and video services
- Brix Verifier Agent (BVA) — Installed on existing servers and end-user desktops to provide remote IP service assurance and performance management.
Third-Party Devices and Standard Interfaces
In addition to Brix Verifiers and software agents, the open architecture of the Brix System enables it to support a wide-range of in-network monitoring sources by leveraging connectors and industry standards. With the Brix System, users can employ the right performance and quality monitoring approach for their environments: EXFO monitoring solutions exclusively, third-party devices, or a combination of both.
The use of in-network monitoring devices provides a scalable way to extend and deploy the Brix System throughout the network while protecting investments in existing network infrastructure and end-user equipment. EXFO provides either a connector for each supported in-network monitoring source, or collects performance and quality metrics from these elements via industry standards.
The Brix System currently supports the following third-party devices:
- Cisco IOS IP SLA
- Linksys' analog terminal adapters (ATAs)
- Motorola's embedded multimedia terminal adapters (eMTAs)
- Texas Instruments' PIQUA real-time, IP quality management system
- IETF RFC 2925-compliant network elements (such as equipment from Extreme Networks, Juniper Networks, and 3Com)
Industry standards, such as RFC 2925, RTCP, RTCP-XR, SIP Media Loopback, NCS Media Loopback, TR-069, Two-way Active Measurement Protocol (TWAMP), and others, are playing an integral role in delivering greater visibility into the performance and quality of networks and converged voice, video, and data services. From defining metrics to the introduction of new protocols, EXFO Service Assurance is enabling the deployment of pervasive and comprehensive performance management platforms by taking advantage of current native network protocols, standards-based extensions to current protocols, and definition of new protocols.
Endpoint Monitoring
By leveraging devices that support industry standards, or include embedded software agents, the Brix System is able to harvest intelligence from these network elements and endpoint devices to gain a comprehensive performance and quality view of revenue-generating services and the networks they rely on. By performing active (on-demand) testing and passive (live) service assurance monitoring to enterprise or residential customer premise equipment, the Brix System enables providers to guarantee that SLAs and QoE expectations are continually met for all converged service offerings.