Features

Easy to Use

The Linktropy 8500 WAN emulator is a snap to install and configure. Just plug in the Ethernet cables, specify your link conditions, and begin the emulation. No software to install, no training needed. The Linktropy GUI combines the responsiveness of an application with the convenience of a standard web browser.

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Bandwidths up to 1 Gbps

Emulate WAN bandwidths up to 1 Gbps in each direction per link across 4 separate links to an aggregate of 8 Gbps at full line rate of approximately 12 million packets per second. Versions also available with maximum emulation speeds of 10 Mbps, 45 Mbps and 100 Mbps for users who do not need the full gigabit capacity.

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Multiple Links

With the ability to emulate 4 separate, independent links, the Linktropy 8500 is a compact and cost-effective alternative to multiple WAN emulation appliances. Independent pairs of Ethernet interfaces for each link make configuration of multiple links as easy as a single link.

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Delay up to 10 sec

Emulate latency from 1 millisecond up to 10 seconds in each direction in a constant, normal, or uniform distribution.

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Error Emulation

Specify loss as a packet loss rate, bit error rate, or both.

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Congestion

Determine the effects of congestion on bandwidth and jitter-sensitive applications by utilizing Linktropy's background traffic emulation.

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Advanced Emulation Parameters

Verify that applications properly handle anomalous packet reordering and duplication conditions without inducing stability or performance problems. Adjust the framing overhead and maximum queue depth to match real link behavior.

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Jumbo Frames

Test with Ethernet frames of up to 9 KB.

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Capture and Replay Live Network Conditions

Capture live network conditions with the Linktropy Recorder and replay them through the Linktropy WAN emulator to reproduce the varying characteristics of the production network in a repeatable test environment.

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Traffic Monitor

See a visual display of the current traffic, including throughput graphs and link statistics. Download up to 24 hours of statistics for analysis.

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Copper or SFP interfaces

The Linktropy 8500 is available with 8 copper RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 8 SFP Gigabit Ethernet ports, or 4 of each, for convenient installation on copper or fiber-based networks.

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Bridging/Routing

Install the Linktropy 8500 as either a bridge or router for easy integration with any test configuration.

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Automated Testing

Take advantage of the Linktropy Scheduler or the command line interface to automate a series of tests.

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Unsurpassed Precision

Test with confidence - Linktropy WAN emulators offer unsurpassed precision to ensure accurate and reproducible results.

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Everything You Need

Everything you need is included in the compact, 1U rack-mountable Linktropy 8500. No additional hardware or software is required.

Uses

Product Development

You have to ensure that the networking equipment, software, and client/server applications you develop will work under any customer conditions. With the ability to emulate 4 independent links, the Linktropy 8500 allows 4 individual developers to use the device simultaneously.

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QA Testing

With 4 separate, independent links, the Linktropy 8500 allows the QA team to run 4 sets of tests in parallel, saving time and money.

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Product Demonstrations

You need to demonstrate your products to customers under a variety of different network conditions. The Linktropy 8500 allows you to run 4 tests in parallel to demonstrate performance of WAN accelerators, load balancers, VPNs, and other networking equipment.

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Product Benchmarking

The Linktropy 8500 allows you to test 4 separate products in parallel through independent links, providing a direct comparison between competing solutions for video, voice, and other networking applications.

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Network Validation

You have to choose between terrestrial, wireless, satellite, and other WAN technologies to connect offices across the globe. The cost trade-offs are easy to quantify, but how do differing delay, jitter, and loss affect performance of critical applications? Dial-in different conditions and demonstrate performance to all decision makers before a choice is made.

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Troubleshooting

Your applications aren't performing well and you need to find out why. Use the Linktropy 8500 in the lab to help pinpoint the cause of the problem and validate solutions without disrupting the production network.

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VoIP

Voice over IP sounds perfect in demonstrations on the LAN, but quality degrades with latency, jitter and packet loss. Test VoIP under real-world conditions to verify that it meets your quality requirements before you deploy.

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Video and IPTV

Video and television are moving to IP networks, but how will they look with loss and congestion on the link? Use the Linktropy 8500 to help ensure a clear picture.

GUI

User Interface

The Linktropy 8500 is configured through an intuitive, easy-to-use, browser-based interface. Screen shots for the main Configuration Window and the Monitor Page are shown below.

Networks

Network Emulation

Use the Linktropy 8500 WAN Emulator to find the most cost-efficient WAN technology to meet your performance requirements.

 

Terrestrial: Emulate the bandwidth, delay, and loss characteristics of T1, E1, T3, E3, OC-3, ATM, xDSL, Frame Relay, and dialup modems. Determine how much bandwidth you need to keep your applications running smoothly.

 

Wireless: Mobile wireless networks offer great convenience for professionals on the road, while fixed wireless can be a boon for disperse communities, but performance may not match terrestrial options. Use Linktropy to find out if a wireless solution fits your needs.

 

Internet: What happens to e-commerce connections when the internet is busy? What happens to the quality of your VoIP calls? Use Linktropy to find out beforehand and plan appropriate countermeasures.

 

Satellite: With latency in excess of 500 ms and bit error rates as high as 1x10^-6, satellite networks can create havoc for protocols and applications. Linktropy WAN Emulators were especially designed to accommodate the long delays and high error rates of satellite networks, and include the ability to simulate bit errors in addition to packet loss.

Specifications

Capacity
Max. Link Emulation Speed	Available in 10 Mbps, 45 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and 1 Gbps versions. Emulate any speed up to licensed maximum.
Emulated Links	4 links
Max. Aggregate Throughput	8 Gbps
Maximum Packet Rate	1.488 million packets per second per port (full line rate) 11.9 million packets per second aggregate
Maximum Frame Size	9 KB
Emulation Settings
Bandwidth	300 bps - maximum license rate in 1 bps increments
Delay	0 ms - 10 sec. in 0.1 ms increments; constant, uniform, normal distributions
Packet Loss Rate	0-100% in increments of 0.0001%
Background Traffic	0-100% in increments of 0.1%
Additional Parameters	Bit Error Rate, Packet Reordering, Packet Duplication, Queue Depth, Framing Overhead, Linktropy Scheduler for emulating dynamic WAN conditions
Interfaces
Emulation	8 Gigabit Ethernet (8 copper, 8 SFP, or 4 of each)
Management	1x Gigabit Ethernet 1x RS-232 serial console
Environmental and Physical Specifications
AC Input Voltage	Auto ranging 100 VAC to 240 VAC
AC Input Frequency	47 to 63 Hz
AC Input Current	1.1 A
Power Draw	130 Watts
Dimensions   Product       Shipping	17" W x 18" D x 1.75" H (1 RU) 43 cm W x 45 cm D x 4.35 cm H (1 RU)   24" x 22" x 7" (61 cm x 55 cm x 18 cm)
Weight   Product   Shipping	16 lbs. (8 kg) 21 lbs. (10 kg)
Temperature   Operating   Storage	32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C) -4° to 167°F (-20° to 75°C)
Humidity	10% to 90% (non-condensing)
Certifications	FCC, CE, RoHS
Warranty & Support
Hardware Warranty	1 year
Support and Maintenance	1 year, including all firmware upgrades

Documentation

	Linktropy WAN Emulator User's Guide
	Linktropy 8500 Quick Start Guide
	Linktropy 8500 Hardware Guide