Case Study: IP Infusion

IP Infusion validates network software at UNH-IOL

The Challenge: Validate emerging technologies

IP Infusion develops intelligent network software, empowering communications equipment manufactures and service providers to deliver high-quality IP and next generation IP applications. These applications are deployed over a set of IP Infusion switching and routing solutions that integrate with embedded operating systems and network processors.

Because IP Infusion products must operate flawlessly in varied network configurations, interoperability and standards conformance capabilities are vital to the success of new products.

In preparation for the release of its new ZebOS Advanced Routing Suite, IP Infusion needed external product validation to assure its customers that the new routing and switching software solution not only met conformance standards but could operate with a broad range of network equipment.

Cognizant of the strong reputation for neutrality held by the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL), IP Infusion looked to the lab for uncompromised third-party product corroboration to complement the extensive testing already completed by its in-house lab.

“Product quality is key to building strong customer relations,” said Nik Wekwerth, IP Infusion vice president of sales and marketing. “The sound reputation of the UNH-IOL provided us with an unbiased environment and the opportunity to validate our product capability claims.”

The Solution: Leverage UNH-IOL third-party reports

Knowing that the new ZebOS Advanced Routing Suite would need to enable equipment vendors and telecommunications companies operating in diverse network infrastructures to rapidly provision a broad range of enhanced IPv4 and IPv6 services, IP Infusion turned to the equipment-rich reference environment at the UNH-IOL. As a longstanding member of the UNH-IOL, IP Infusion knew it could rely on the lab to provide a cost-effective approach to confirm interoperability and conformance in a reputable and highly detailed report that would be respected by its customers throughout the industry.

“The large membership base and broad range of products available at the UNH-IOL allows for cost-effective interoperability assurance, not only for major industry players, but for smaller companies looking to increase their market share and start-ups just entering the market as well” Wekwerth said.

Engineers at the UNH-IOL install the ZebOS Advanced Routing Suite remotely and accessed stored configuration files, so that IP Infusion didn’t need to send its own engineers from California. “We entrusted our product to the technical ability at the UNH-IOL,” said Wekwerth. “In return, we found that the engineers at the UNH-IOL were flexible, collaborative, and open to ideas, suggestion and change.”

The remote installation was successful, allowing the UNH-IOL to run the ZebOS Advanced Routing Suite through its comprehensive testing suites and procedures. From the testing results, the lab compiled extensive and detailed reports. As a result, IP Infusion would be equipped with reputable, third-party reports to validate the ZebOS Advanced Routing Suite for IPv4, IPv6 and Ethernet switching.

The Results: Third-party product validation enhances customer confidence

IP Infusion leveraged the UNH-IOL’s testing reports to build customer relations and enhance their confidence in IP Infusion’s newest networking solutions. The neutral reputation of the UNH-IOL was an integral part of the confidence building process. “The ZebOS installation mimics real-world configurations, so we were confident that our product would play well with other network equipment and solutions,” Wekwerth said. “The reports compiled by the UNH-IOL validated this claim.”

In addition to enhancing customer assurance, the quality reports produced by the UNH-IOL helped IP Infusion to identify and trouble-shoot minor interoperability issues in its configuration scripts. Early identification and elimination of bugs helped IP Infusion to develop a better solution and create a more positive end-user experience.

“The testing completed by the engineers at the UNH-IOL was helpful on a number of levels. The extensive interoperability test environment, however, is what has kept us coming back over the years,” said Wekwerth. “The UNH-IOL is sort of a Switzerland of networking: it's a neutral zone where all the players can come together regardless of their differences and figure out how to work together.”