Linktropy FAQs
1. How does the Linktropy WAN Emulator differ from competing solutions?
2. What are the prices of the various Linktropy models?
3. Can the Linktropy WAN Emulator be upgraded later to a higher bandwidth model, or is new hardware required?
4. What are the differences between the 4500, 7500, 7500 PRO, and 10-G models?
5. What is the Linktropy Mini2?
6. What is the difference between the Linktropy Mini2 and other Linktropy WAN emulators?
7. Does Apposite offer support contracts?
8. Can the Linktropy WAN Emulator simulate long delays?
9. Can the Linktropy WAN Emulator simulate individual end nodes?
10. How do I know when new features are available and how do I upgrade the device?
11. Is product documentation available for review?
12. Does Apposite offer a software-based WAN emulator?
13. Who uses the Linktropy WAN Emulator?
14. Who are your customers?
15. Do you offer training?
16. Do you offer testing services?
17. What does 'Linktropy' mean? How about 'Apposite'? How is it pronounced?
How does the Linktropy WAN Emulator differ from competing solutions?
Until now, there were only two alternatives: high-end WAN emulators and freeware. High-end WAN emulators offer an array of features, but their prices put them out of range of most users while their complexity make them difficult to use. Although freeware has no up front cost, the time wasted in installation and configuration of the source code makes them unproductive, and the resulting systems are limited in precision and performance.
The founders of Apposite Technologies recognized the need for a better solution. Linktropy WAN Emulators are the culmination of a mission to offer the precision and performance of a professional-quality WAN emulator without the cost, while making the product simple and intuitive to install and operate.
What are the prices of the various Linktropy models?
Each Linktropy model is available at a variety of maximum WAN bandwidths to meet your individual needs.
The Linktropy 4500 is available in 2 Mbps, 10 Mbps, 45 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and 155 Mbps versions, with U.S. prices ranging from $4000 to $10,000.
The Linktropy 7500 is available in 10 Mbps, 45 Mbps, 155 Mbps, and 1 Gbps versions, with U.S. prices ranging from $7500 to $15,000.
The Linktropy 7500 PRO is available in 10 Mbps, 45 Mbps, 155 Mbps, and 1 Gbps versions, with U.S. prices ranging from $9000 to $20,000.
The Linktropy 10-G is available in 1 Gbps, 4 Gbps, and 10 Gbps versions, with U.S. prices ranging from $25,000 to $35,000.
The Linktropy Mini2 is available for $1975 and handles speeds up to 100 Mbps.
International prices may vary. Contact Apposite for pricing of the specific model and speed best suited to your needs.
Can the Linktropy WAN Emulator be upgraded later to a higher bandwidth version, or is new hardware required?
Upgrading to a higher bandwidth version of the same Linktropy model requires only a new license key which can be installed by the user. The upgrade price is the difference in price between the versions, plus a nominal service fee. The Linktropy 4500, 7500, 7500 PRO, and 10-G models are separate hardware platforms and can not be upgraded between models, but Apposite does offer a trade-in program for users who wish to upgrade between models.
What are the differences between the 4500, 7500, 7500 PRO, and 10-G models?
The Linktropy 4500 emulates a single link up to 155 Mbps, and uses standard copper RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. The Linktropy 7500 emulates a single link up to 1 Gbps at full line rate, with both copper and SFP (modular fiber/copper) Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. The Linktropy 7500 PRO emulates 4 separate gigabit speed links up to 4 Gbps, with 8 copper and SFP interfaces. the Linktropy 10-G emulates two 10 Gbps links via XFP or CX4 interfaces and one 1 Gbps link via gigabit Ethernet. The four models offer identical emulation functionality. See the model comparison page for a more detailed comparison of the different models.
What is the Linktropy Mini2?
The Linktropy Mini2 is a portable, low cost version, available for only $1975, designed to emulate basic bandwidth, latency, and loss conditions for product demonstrations and application development. See the Linktropy Mini2 web page for more details.
What is the difference between the Linktropy Mini2 and other Linktropy WAN emulators?
The Linktropy Mini2 was designed for portability and cost and does not have all of the precision, features, or performance of the Linktropy 4500, 7500, 7500 PRO, and 10-G models. However, the Mini2 is still far superior to any software or freeware WAN emulator and includes the same easy-to-use Linktropy GUI and link monitor. See the model comparison page for a detailed comparison of the different models.
Does Apposite offer support contracts?
Purchase of the Linktropy 4500, 7500, 7500 PRO, and 10-G includes a full year of warranty, support, and maintenance. All firmware upgrades and new features are included. After the first year, a maintenance contract is available for 15% of the current list price of the unit per year.
Can the Linktropy WAN Emulator simulate long delays?
Yes. Linktropy WAN Emulators were designed with satellite and other long latency conditions in mind and can handle delays of up to 10 seconds in each direction.
Can the Linktropy WAN Emulator simulate individual end nodes?
No. Linktropy WAN Emulators simulate the WAN link itself. It is not a traffic generator. However, they can simulate background traffic based on a configured link utilization rate and burst size to model the effect of competing traffic and bandwidth availability on application performance.
How do I know when new features are available and how do I upgrade the device?
All users under a current support contract who have registered their unit are notified by e-mail whenever firmware updates become available. Firmware images are posted on the support section of the website for downloading. The firmware is then installed via the GUI. See the Product Registration Page to register a unit.
Is product documentation available for review?
Yes. The User's Guides, Quick Start Guides, and Hardware Guides are all available in PDF form on the Support Page.
Does Apposite offer a software-based WAN emulator?
No. The performance, precision, and accuracy needed for a link emulator requires fine-grained control of the operating system and I/O subsystems that is not possible using a standard, unmodified operating system with unknown components and drivers.
Who uses the Linktropy WAN Emulator?
Linktropy WAN Emulator are designed for anyone who needs an accurate, easy-to-use, cost-effective way to simulate WAN conditions, including:
- Corporate IT managers and network administrators
- Application and equipment vendors
- Military network developers
- Sales and SE professionals
- Networking equipment resellers and system integrators
- Q/A teams
- Test labs
Who are you customers?
Linktropy WAN Emulators are used by network managers across a wide range of industries with a need to test their applications under different bandwidths, including retail, media, banking, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, publishing, and oil. In addition, Linktropy WAN Emulators are used by many networking equipment manufacturers including Cisco, Juniper, Microsoft, NetApp, 3Com, and Citrix, as well as software developers, test labs, and military network designers.
Do you offer training?
Linktropy WAN Emulators are designed to be extremely easy to use, with an intuitive, browser-based GUI. Training is not required.
Do you offer testing services?
No. Apposite is a product development company. We do not offer consulting or testing services.
What does 'Linktropy' mean? How about 'Apposite'? How is it pronounced?
'Linktropy' is short for Link+Entropy since the product is designed to add entropy to a clean link.
"Apposite" is pronounced similar to "opposite" but starting with an "a" sound. It means "highly pertinent or appropriate" (Merriam-Webster), hence our slogan: Apposite products, apposite prices, Apposite Technologies.
