The Reference Open Source Testbed, developed by the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory as part of LF Networking's 5G Super Blueprints initiative, aims to simplify the integration of diverse open source components for 5G and Open RAN systems. It provides pre-tested deployments, streamlined tools like Ansible playbooks, and comprehensive documentation to facilitate faster and more reliable deployment and validation. Key features include modular, blueprint-based deployment, an integrated testing and results dashboard, and a focus on community engagement and transparency....
IOL Blog: Home Networking
5G Super Blueprints Use Case Spotlight: Reference Open Source Testbed
By Mara Johnson - April 15, 2025
DHCPv6 Protocol Updates: A Glimpse Into the UNH-IOL’s Development Process
By Jilly Sticca - January 28, 2025
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) publishes technical documentation in the form of Request of Comments (RFCs). RFC 8415 defines the latest iteration of the DHCPv6 protocol, which updates and obsoletes many aspects of the previous definitions documented by RFC 3315.
The UNH InterOperability Lab (UNH-IOL) plays an essential role in facilitating the global adoption and stability of IPv6. As a result, we actively contribute to the development and publication of test specifications based on RFCs that are used...
IoT Device Testing: A Path to Optimal Connectivity
By Stella La Vallee - December 3, 2024
The “Internet of Things (IoT)” is a phrase to describe any network of devices that utilize connectivity to an internet or other devices to exchange data. These devices appear in an incredibly wide range of environments in our world today, such as in your home, in a hospital, within factories, or on a farm. Due to the fact that IoT devices exist in so many different aspects of our lives, each device has to fulfill different requirements to achieve its...
The ‘Roaming’ World We Live In
By Nathan Miner - November 6, 2024
Most end users don't need to think about Wi-Fi roaming. They use their devices, and they ‘just work’ even as they move around the home, workplace, campus, or industrial environment. A seamless internet connection is no longer a luxury in today’s on-the-move society; it is necessary. Wi-Fi roaming is the unsung hero of this seamless connection between access points. I will give a brief overview of what roaming is and how it affects the user’s experience with a device. I...
Enhancing User Experience: The Vital Role of Wireless Device Testing
By Nathan Miner - October 7, 2024
To ensure that a device facilitates as intended for use, two main performance tests are conducted: RvR covers the performance in terms of distance, while Spatial Consistency covers the performance in terms of rotation. While these tests are not exhaustive, they play a significant role in guaranteeing a good user experience.
Wi-Fi is ubiquitous, and its application space is expanding rapidly, with an estimated 29.3 billion networked devices in 2023 1 . As the usage of Wi-Fi products increases,...
IOL INTACT®: What's New, Coming Soon, and on the Roadmap for IPv6 Testing
By Kyle Ouellette - August 28, 2024
It’s been a while since we last updated you on the current state of the IOL INTACT® software and future plans. We routinely publish release notes for INTACT and the playlists, but we’d like to highlight some key features and upcoming developments we think will pique your interest. If you have feedback on the mentioned features or any feature/improvement requests, please don’t hesitate to share them with us via our support portal.
What’s NewThe...
How PON and Fiberoptics are the Future of Broadband
By Jake Tobin - April 11, 2024
Imagine your internet connection being like a well-orchestrated, optical symphony of speed and reliability. Meet PON, a high-tech communication marvel that uses cutting edge fiberoptics to bring you lightning-fast broadband access. It's not just any network – it's designed to cater to your needs, servicing anywhere from hospitals to high-density residential complexes. PON has revolutionized how we transmit data, enabling high-speed connectivity and efficient delivery of services like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), video streaming, ultra-bandwidth for HDTV experiences, and...
What’s new with the IOL INTACT® 3.3.0.0 Software?
By Kyle Ouellette - September 4, 2019
The IOL INTACT® software is an automated protocol test tool designed and developed by the UNH-IOL. Companies can use this tool to perform in-house testing for a variety of IPv6 and Routing protocols to help prepare for a variety of testing programs such as IPv6 Ready Logo, USGv6, Malaysia and ANATEL.
The latest version, 3.3.0.0, of the IOL INTACT® software was just released and includes several new features, making automation of testing easier than ever. This blog will cover...
G.fast: Time Domain Duplex (TDD) vs Frequency Domain Duplex (FDD)
By Ainsley-Aude Croteau - July 18, 2016
In September 2015, the UNH-IOL opened a new consortium in the Broadband testing services called G.fast. G.fast is an emerging technology which leverages existing telephone copper networks, similar to DSL, to deliver incredibly high bandwidth. Optical networks are gaining popularity due to their high throughput capacity. Despite this, fibre is still not being integrated into residential homes due to the high costs involved as well as keeping the more fragile glass fibers protected. G.fast is the solution; offering...
Plugfests Go Virtual
By Ainsley-Aude Croteau - December 10, 2015
The UNH IOL G.fast Consortium will host the first ever official Broadband Forum Virtual Plugfest, beginning December 7th. Registered companies will remotely access their devices to perform tests with other companies, who are also remotely controlling their equipment. The G.fast Consortium and its sister consortium, DSL, have held several Plugfests for emerging technologies in the past, the motivation to establish a virtual Plugfest came after the beginning of the G.fast interoperability beta program. The beta program itself is a study...