Company expands Ethernet test offering with new software option for IPv6

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QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO, TSX: EXF) announced today the release of IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) testing capabilities for its field-portable FTB-8510B (up to 1 Gbit/s) and FTB-8510G (up to 10 Gbit/s) as well as laboratory IQS-8510B and IQS-8510G Packet Blazer series of test modules.

IPv6 is the next-generation Internet Protocol that will drive new Internet applications and much larger deployments through significant improvements over IPv4 in terms of the number of available individual IP addresses, performance, management, security and multimedia support. The FTB-8510B and FTB-8510G test modules, housed inside the FTB-200 Compact Platform for field-testing applications and FTB-400 Universal Test System for advanced tasks in central offices, now support a complete test suite for deploying, maintaining and troubleshooting IPv6 services. The IQS-8510B and IQS-8510G, hosted inside the IQS-500 and IQS-600 Integrated Qualification System, are designed for manufacturing floor and laboratory environments.

"Most network operators are about to begin deploying IPv6-based Ethernet services," said Etienne Gagnon, EXFO's Vice-President of Product Management and Marketing. "These rollouts will pose considerable challenges, both from a technology and operational perspective. The FTB-8510B and FTB-8510G test modules can help network operators address these challenges through comprehensive and straightforward IPv6 testing capabilities that enable a successful transition."

The widely deployed FTB-8510B/FTB-8510G as well as IQS-8510B/IQS-8510G Packet Blazer Ethernet test modules can be easily upgraded via software downloads to support IPv6 testing capabilities. These modules also offer a complete carrier Ethernet portfolio including the support for PBB-TE, MPLS, QinQ and bi-directional RFC 2544 testing, a critical component for assessing asymmetric Ethernet services in service-level agreements (SLAs). The addition of IPv6 reinforces the Packet Blazer's brand reputation as the tool of choice for enabling network operators to deliver next-generation carrier Ethernet services.

For more information about the FTB/IQS-8510B and FTB/IQS-8510G Packet Blazer test modules, 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.