Ixia IxExplorer

Presented By: Anil Chaudhary

Content
Introduction To IxExplorer:
Features
Section Review
IxExplorer Operation:
Operating Modes (Local or Remote)
The Interface
Client / Server Configuration and Port Ownership
Generating Packet Streams
Configuring Packet Streams
Transmitting Streams
Section Review
Statistics view
Per Port Statistics view
Grouped Port Statistics View
Graphed Data
Section Review
Packet Group Statistic Views
Port Group and Stream Statistic Views

Introduction to IxExplorer

Introduction to IxExplorer
IxExplorer
OSI Layer 1 to 4 Capabilities ***
Complete packet / frame header configuration
True interface emulation with ARP, Ping
Runt and Jumbo frame support (12 Byte to 13,312 Byte Frames) ***
Statistical results and packet capture with filtering
Routing Protocol Emulation

IxLoad / IxCharriot
Layer 4 to 7
Capabilities

IxExplorer
Layer 1 to 4 Traffic Generation
& Measurement Capabilities

IxNetwork
Routing / Switching Protocol
Testing

Introduction to IxExplorer
Non-Stateful Traffic Emulation to Layer 7
The ability to adjust the TCP / UDP port numbers allows Non-stateful layer 7
traffic emulation.

IxExplorer
Layer 4 to 7 NonStateful Traffic
Emulation

IxExplorer
Layer 1 to 4 stateful
interface.

Introduction to IxExplorer
True Multi-User Environment Through Login Identification
The server software allows local and remote access across multiple client
consoles through secure or unsecured login process.

Daisy Chaining of up to 255 Chassis ***

Ixia allow up to 255 chassis to be Daisy-Chained via a sync cable or GPS
clock synchronisation.
Chassis chain control from a single or multiple client consoles.

Introduction to IxExplorer
Up to 255 Packet Streams ***
IxExplorer can generate up to 255 unique packet streams with an individual
data rate per stream.

Up to 255 Interleaved (Advanced) Streams ***

IxExplorer can generate up to 255 unique interleaved packet streams with
each allocated a % of the total line rate.

Introduction to IxExplorer
Latency and Packet Sequencing
IxExplorer can measure latency and packet sequencing across 65K packet
groups.

Operation Across Ixias Range of Hardware.

IxExplorer can be used on ATM, 10/100, Gig-E and 10 Gig-E Load Modules.

Introduction to IxExplorer.

Next Up: Section Review.

Introduction to IxExplorer

Section Review.
How Many interleaved packet streams can explorer
generate?
255

What OSI layers does IxExplorer operate within?

Layers 1 to 4. Non-stateful traffic to layer 7.

What is the maximum and minimum frame size IxExplorer

supports?
12 Bytes to 13,312 Bytes

How many chassis can be Daisy-Chained with IxExplorer?

255

Next Up: IxExplorer Operation

IxExplorer Operation

IxExplorer Operation Operating Modes.

Operating Modes
IxExplorer can be operated locally (On chassis desktop) or remotely via
client software.
On opening IxExplorer you will be prompted to enter the I.P address of the
chassis.
For local operation acceptable addresses are: ***
127.0.0.1
The Chassis IP address or
The word: loopback
For Remote operation you must enter the Chassis IP address only.

IxExplorer Operation The Interface.

The Interface
The interface consists of a Title Bar, Menus, Tool Bar, Transmit Bar,
Windows Area, Status Window and Status Bar.
Port Ownership allows multiple users to coincide without interfering with
each others tests. ***

IxExplorer Operation Resource Tree.

Windows Area: Resource Tree
The resource tree is a tree view of available Chassis, cards and ports
available. ***
The tree view displays ownership of ports in brackets.
If port is already owned by another user the settings to adjust the packet
streams will be grayed out. ***

Ports 1,2 & 3 are owned by user 1,2 & 3 so the packet
streams are grayed out for configuration.

IxExplorer Operation Port Ownership.

Windows Area: Resource Tree
When you select an un-owned port the packet streams are free for
configuration.

Ports 4 has no current ownership and can be configured.

IxExplorer Operation Port Ownership.

User Management
You can select the user management pop-up through Multi-user > User
Management.
Ownership can also be taken and released by right clicking the level
required in the resource tree.

IxExplorer Operation Generating Packet Streams.

Packet Streams
By default each port is configured with a single packet stream.
This is displayed by clicking on Packet Streams under the required port.

IxExplorer Operation Generating Packet Streams.

Packet Streams
Streams are added as line items much like in an excel spread sheet. Right
clicking a stream gives you the ability to copy, paste, duplicate or insert a
new stream with default values.
Streams can be copied across ports, cards and chassis within the
resource tree.

Delete, copy, paste and duplicate

streams. Like Excel, multiple streams
can be selected simultaneously by
using the Ctl and shift keys.

IxExplorer Operation Generating Packet Streams.

Packet Streams
Double clicking an individual packet stream brings up the stream properties
window, allowing you to configure the packet properties.
Double click the packet stream to
bring up the stream properties
window.

IxExplorer Operation Configuring Packet Streams.

Stream Property Window
The stream property window has four main tabs. They are Frame Data,
Stream Control, Packet View and Warnings. ***
Frame Data to configure
frame size, payload and
MAC address.
Stream Control to configure
stream rate and duration.
Packet View breaks the
packet into its OSI layer
properties and displays in
both clear text and
Hexidecimal.
Warnings display any illegal
or incorrectly formed
packets. This tab is red
when an active warning is
present..

IxExplorer Operation Configuring Packet Streams.

Packet Streams: Frame Data Tab
The frame data tab allows you to set the frame size, payload, preamble
size, MAC address and to insert time and sequence stamps.

Payload can be fixed,

increment, decrement,
random or custom.
Frame size can be
fixed, random,
increment or Auto.
DA / SA MAC.

Protocols tab allows you to set layer 3 4

properties.

IxExplorer Operation Configuring Packet Streams.

Packet Streams: Frame Data Tab / Protocols
The protocols tab allows you to set the layer 2 4 properties. It also adds
Cisco ISL, VLANs and MPLS tags as required.

Edit button to edit

IP parameters.

Ether Type
Layer 2

Layer 3

Layer 4

IxExplorer Operation Configuring Packet Streams.

Packet Streams: Frame Data Tab / Protocols / Edit IP
The IP header allows you to set poriority (TOS QoS), Ip Dest and Source
address, packet fragmentation and TTL. ***

Clicking Edit TCP

opens the TCP
header window.

Here you can set the TCP / UDP

port numbers, sequence
number and all relevant flags.

IxExplorer Operation Configuring Packet Streams.

Packet Streams: Stream Control
Through the stream control tab you can adjust the data rate by % of line
rate, packets/sec or bit rate. You also select how you want the stream to
terminate.

Rate Control.
Stream
Termination

IxExplorer Operation Configuring Packet Streams.

Packet Streams: Stream Control
The available stream termination controls are continuous packet,
continuous burst, stop after this stream, advance to next stream return to
ID and return to ID for count.

IxExplorer Operation Transmitting Streams.

Transmitting Streams
Once streams have been configured, you have inspected the packet view
for errors and the warning are clear you are able to start transmitting. ***
To run the packet streams select the level you would like to run from
Selecting a chassis will run all streams attached to the chassis.
Selecting a card will run all streams attached to the card.
Selecting a port will only run streams attached to that port.
Port 1 of Card 2 Selected. Only streams on
this port will be transmitted.

Select desired option from Transmit Bar.

IxExplorer OperationInstructor Lead Demonstration

Multi-User Logon. User Management.
Configuring Basic Packet Streams.

IxExplorer Practical Session.

Multi-User Logon- User Management.
Configuring Basic Packet Streams.

IxExplorer Practical Session.

Multi-User Logon
Use the Multi User Tab to logon to the Ixia chassis.
Take ownership of your allocated port.
Verify your logon name next to your port in the tree view.
Click on a port that has a different logon name
Try to change the packet settings
Verify that the settings are grayed out.
Open the User Management window.
View the current logins.
The instructor will now demonstrate how to clear your / some-one else's and
all logons.

IxExplorer Practical Session.

Creating Packet Streams
Create a single packet stream on your first assigned port with the following
parameters:
Source MAC Address: 01 02 03 04 05 06 Fixed
Destination MAC: 06 05 04 03 02 01 Fixed
Payload Fixed 01 02 03 04
Frames Size: Random between 64 and 1518 Bytes
Destination IP address: 100.0.0.1 - Fixed
Source Address 100.0.0.2 Fixed
TCP Source Port: 1025
TCP Destination Port: 80
On the second assigned port reverse the above parameters and apply
Transmit both streams
Open the statistic view and confirm traffic in both directions.

IxExplorer Operation

Next Up: Section Review.

IxExplorer Operation

Section Review.
What are the acceptable IP address when accessing a
chassis in local mode?
127.0.0.1, Chassis IP Address and the word Loopback

Can you adjust the TOS / QoS bits in a packet? If so, how?
Yes, the IP configuration windows allows this action.

If a port is currently owned by another user can you release

their ownership without their consent?
Yes, you can clear all ownership through the User Management window

If you have selected card 2 from chassis 1 and clicked the

Run packet streams (Play) what streams will be transmitted?
All those attached to ports on card 2

Statistic Views

Statistic Views.
Statistic Overview
Statistic views allows you to see the received data on a port.
Statistics are closely tied to capture filters and receive modes of the port.
Statistics are available as total count and rate per second.
Statistics can be viewed and graphed per packet stream.
Statistics can be used to generate logging and alerts.
Statistics can include filters for:
TOS/QOS.
Frame size.
IP / MAC DA/SA.
User defended filters set to a byte off-set.
Statistics can be:
Graphed
Combined with simple formulas i.e. Tx port 1 Rx Port 2.
Used to determine latency and packet sequence.

Statistic Views.
Quick Statistic on Individual ports
The quickest method to view statistics is per port.

Per Port Statistics

The quickest method to view statistics is per port.

Select the required port

and click statistics
view

Packet view is replaced with

statistics view.

Statistic Views.
Multi-port statistic view
You can select a number of ports to view statistics
together. This is possible by selecting the Statistics view
folder.
Select the
required ports
from the
Select Port
window.

Select the Statistic

View Folder

Right click in the main

window.

Statistic Views.
Multi-port statistics view
You can now see multiple ports statistics simultaneously.

Statistic Views.
Multi-Port Statistics View Features
Add formulas
The Stat view allows lines and formulas to be manipulated much
like an excel spread sheet.
Formula for Port 1 Tx
subtract Port 2 Rx
entered according to
rows and columns

New Line
Inserted and
titled Frame
Loss
Rows, columns
and lines can
be formatted to
give emphasis.
Here you can
insert columns
and rows.

Statistic Views.
Multi-Port Statistics View Graphing.
The statistic view is able to graph selected fields or save the chart
directly to an Excel spread sheet.
Choose Line Graph
OR ..

A Bar Graph

Click the graph

button

Select multiple
field by using
the Ctl or Shift
Key

Statistic Views.
Multi-Port Statistics View Alerts and Logging
By double clicking and field you can also add alerts and logging to the
Stats view:
Setting the alert parameters and warning to be visual, audible or
both and click O.K.

Green for no alert

or alert trap
Amber to indicate
a previous alert

Red to indicate
current alert

Statistic Views.
Multi-Port Statistics View Receive Modes (TOS/QoS).
The receive mode selections creates automatic TOS/QOS filters or
allows user defined filters.
Selecting the receive mode of a port
allows for extended filters or
TOS/QOS filters on the statistics
view.

Statistic view with additional TOS filters.

Additional
statistic filters on
routing and other
I.P protocols can
be added.

Statistic Views.
Multi-Port Statistics View Receive Modes (UDS Filters).
Ixia also provide up to 4 User Defined Statistics and 1 Capture trigger.
These apply to addressing or a packet off-set.

Instructor Lead Demonstration

Statistic Views.

IxExplorer Practical Session.

Statistic Views

IxExplorer Practical Session.

Statistic Views
Create 3 basic packet streams with different TOS, frames lengths, MAC
DA/SA and IP DA/SA.
Transmit into a loop-back with another port.
On the second port open a quick statistic view and verify you are receiving
packets. Identify the statistic available in this view.
Create a multi port statistic view containing your two ports.
Open the view and:
Create a line and bar graph with at least two statistics,
Add a line and create a formula to identify frame loss between the two
ports and format the line to give emphasis,
Save the view as an Excel spreadsheet to your desktop,
Add a few alerts to the view and practice with the parameters available.

IxExplorer Practical Session.

Statistic Views (Cont.)
Delete your statistic view
Change the receive mode of the port to QoS.
Create a new statistics view and verify you are filtering on TOS as set in the
transmit packet streams.
Change the receive mode of the port to User Defined Stats 5 & 6
Set a filter according to the transmit packet streams for,
IP SA/DA on User defined Statistic 1,
MAC SA on User Defined Statistic 2,
Frame size on Defined Statistic 5,
Select your own filter for Defined Statistic 6 ensuring it only collects
statistics from a single transmit packet stream.
Open the statistics view and verify the filters have been applied correctly

Statistic Views

Next Up: Section Review.

Statistic Views.

Section Review.
What receive modes are available to define filters on the
statistic view?
Normal- UDS1&2. QOS- TOS Stats. User Defined Stats 5&6- Extended filtering

Are Alerts and Logging available in Quick Stat view?

Yes

Can you produce graphs in Quick Stat view?

No, there are no formula or graphing functions in quick stat view.

Can you adjust frame rates from the statistics view?

Yes, you can start and stop transmitting ports and adjust average
frame rates.

Packet Group Statistic Views

Packet Group Statistic Views.

Packet Group Statistic Overview
Through the Packet Group Statistic View function, Ixia provide a means of
measuring latency / sequence on a per Stream basis.
The per stream measurement allows the user to identify latency and packet
sequencing with different frame sizes, TOS/QOS, TCP port numbers and
protocols.
A maximum of 65,000 streams can be monitored individually on any
receiving port.
Operates through inserting a time stamp and Packet Group ID (PGID) at
user defined off-set.
Latency, like statistics views can be graphed or saved into a Excel spread
sheet.
LATENCY MUST BE SET UP TO SEND AND RECEIVE TIME STAMPS FROM
THE SAME OFF-SET IN BOTH TRANSMIT AND RECEIVE MODES.

Packet Group Statistic Views.

Receive Mode.
The intended receive port must be configured for latency measurements in
the receive mode configuration window.
Select the port receive mode
then check packet groups.

Assign off-set and packet

group signature to fit the
expected TX packet.
The apply to all port saves
configuring multiple times.

Packet Group Statistic Views.

Transmit Mode.
Create a packet capable of traversing the network / device under test.

Unless there is a special

requirement check the Use
PGID config, Use Stream
Number and Apply to all
streams checkboxes.

Check Time Stamp and

Packet Group Signature
then click Edit

Packet Group Statistic Views.

Creating View
Opening a Packet Group Statistic view is identical to opening a statistic view.

Select the
required ports
from the
Select Port
window.

Right click in the main

window.

Packet Group Statistic Views.

Results
You can now view latency / statistics for up to 65,000 individual packet
streams.

Latency only displays

Min/Avg/Max latency
and Total Frames
received.

Sequencing displays
small, big and reverse
errors.

Packet Group Statistic Views.

Results
You can now view latency / statistics for up to 65,000 individual packet
streams.

Select one or multiple fields to

graph over time.

Add formulas to calculate

customised statistics

Right click and select create

report to take a snap shot of the
latency / sequence statistics.

Report is added as a additional

tab. You can perform this multiple
times throughout a test.

Instructor Lead Demonstration

Packet Group Statistic Views.

IxExplorer Practical Session.

Packet Group Statistic Views

IxExplorer Practical Session.

Packet Group Statistic Views
Create a basic packet stream with no Layer 2,3,or 4 protocols.
Set the data rate to 10 %.
Set the receive mode of your port to Packet Groups and Sequencing
Checking.
Open your basic packet and check Time Stamp and Sequencing.
Click edit and check use packet group config and Use Stream Number as ID
Create a Packet Group Statistic view for you are your parented port.
Clear all timestamps and sequence numbers.
Run your packet stream.
Open you Latency / Sequence view, start the capture and verify you latency
results are being received.
Add a formula to convert bits Rxed per Sec to Frames Rxed per Sec.
Create a latency report.
Graph over time your Max, Min and Avg latency.

Packet Group Statistic Views.

Next Up: Section Review.

Packet Group Statistic Views.

Section Review.
How many packet streams can be measured with the
Latency / Sequence view.
65,000

What are Big errors defined as in the Sequence view?

Errors that are larger than the defined sequence tolerance.

What is the name of the field that associates a received

frame with its transmitted counterpart?
Packet Group ID (PGID)

What are the TWO methods for assigning a PGID to a packet

stream?
Automatically assign from the stream number or assign manually.

Port Groups and Stream

Statistics

Port Groups and Stream Statistics.

Port Groups
The Ixia chassis allows you to group ports.
This allows you to perform functions across a group of ports instead of
individually.
These functions include:
Run, Stop and Step Through packet streams,
Group capture,
Group port ownership functions:
Take ownership
Clear ownership

Stream Statistics
Stream statistics allow you to view the frame count and rate transmitted from
a port on a per stream basis.

Instructor Lead Demonstration

Port Groups and Stream Statistics.

IxExplorer Practical Session.

Port Groups and Stream Statistics.

Congratulations, you have

completed:
Introduction to IxExplorer.