Triple Play over Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests … · Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests Event, held from May 07 through May 11, 2007 in Lannion France. Background ... 1 Plugtests

Triple Play over Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests Event

Report on the Physi cal Layer DSL Testing and CETECOM’s activities in the preparation

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Version: 1.0

Date: 2007-06-12

CETECOM ICT Services GmbH Untertürkheimer Str. 6-10

D-66117 Saarbrücken

Triple Play over Broadband DSL and GPON

Plugtests Event 2007-05-07 .. 2007-05-11

Lannion / France

Report on the Physical Layer Interoperability Testing and the activities of CETECOM ICT Services in the preparation

of the event for Triple-Play over Broadband and GPON

Contact Persons Project Management Andreas Ehre: +49 681 598-8552 CETECOM ICT Services GmbH e-mail: [email protected] Author(s) of this Document Andreas Ehre: +49 681 598-8552 CETECOM ICT Services GmbH e-mail: [email protected]


Report on the Physical Layer DSL Testing and CETECOM’s activities in the preparation

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CETECOM ICT Services GmbH Seite 2 von 19 released: 2007-06-12 Report on Plugtests Event.doc modified: 2007-06-19

0 Introduction This report is provided as part of CETECOM ICT Services activities at the Triple-Play over Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests Event, held from May 07 through May 11, 2007 in Lannion France. Background CETECOM ICT Services GmbH has been contracted by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute to organise and perform the physical layer interoperability testing at the Triple-Play over Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests Event. Furthermore, CETECOM ICT Services was responsible for the preparation of a separate interoperability event on GPON which was jointly organised by ETSI Plugtests Services and FSAN with the support of further companies and authorities. CETECOM is supporting the ETSI Plugtests Services for more than 6 years, especially in the field of DSL. 0.1 Document History Version Applied Changes Date of Release Editor 1.0 Final Report 2007-06-11 A. Ehre 0.2 Status, Confidentiality and Distribution

Status Confidentiality Level Distribution

approved by project team

project internal; ETSI project team, ETSI



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0.3 List of Content:

0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................2 0.1 Document History ............................................................................................................2 0.2 Status, Confidentiality and Distribution ..............................................................................2 0.3 List of Content: ................................................................................................................3

1 Plugtests Overall Structure............................................................................................4 1.1 Physical Layer Interoperability Testing ..............................................................................4 1.2 Physical Layer Interoperability Test Guides .......................................................................5

2 The Room Plan............................................................................................................10 3 Provided Test Equipment ............................................................................................12 4 Test Network Set-Up and Characteristics....................................................................13 5 Overall Test Combinations and Coverage ...................................................................13

5.1 Official Test Slots...........................................................................................................14 5.2 Additionally Provided Test Slots......................................................................................14

6 Network Provision for GPON .......................................................................................15 7 Achieved Results.........................................................................................................16

7.1 Participants' Satisfaction with the event ...........................................................................17 8 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................17 9 Some Impressions from the Plugtests Event ...............................................................18



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1 Plugtests Overall Structure The Triple-Play over Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests Event as it was held in Lannion from May 7 through May 11, 2007 was combining several different technologies – all serving for an integrated solution for Triple-Play services from the provider down to the customer’s home PC. As such several different sections needed to be addressed in this plugtests event. As in the years before, the transportation of data through the access network via DSL and the provision of different services simultaneously (Triple-Play) formed the massive basis for the testing activities. But in addition the event did take a step in line with the expected evolution in the access network. For the first time, also an interoperability section for Generic Passive Optical Networks (GPON) was organised jointly with FSAN (Full Service Access Network) group. With this the following topics could be extracted as the most important activities:

- Triple-Play Interoperability and Performance for DSL terminals and test equipment - DSL interoperability and performance testing on Chipset and System Integrators

Level (for ADSL2/2+ and VDSL2) - GPON Interoperability Testing on System Integrators Level (also using the provisions

of the Triple-Play interoperability testing as data service). The testing on GPON was performed under a special NDA. Therefore, in this report only the preparatory activities and network structure as it was provided by CETECOM ICT Services will be mentioned. Any other information is to be obtained from the specific GPON report (please see http://www.etsi.org/plugtests/HIstory/History.htm). This report furthermore concentrates on the physical layer testing on interoperability and performance for ADSL2/2+ and VDSL2 solutions. The report of what happened in the Triple-Play-Application-Testing is contained in a separate document. Beside of these, an additional test bench was offered providing further services in the context of the event:

- CETECOM Test Bench for WLAN/WiFi Interoperability This platform was provided for testing WLAN/WiFi interfaces at products which participated in the Plugtests event. As the provided service was a supplementary one (not in the main focus of the event) no specific reporting is given in here. Please refer to the web page www.cetecom-ict.de for further information on CETECOMs WLAN/WiFi and other services. 1.1 Physical Layer Interoperability Testing The Triple-Play over Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests Event had ADSL2/ADSL2+ and VDSL2 in its focus. More than 30 companies from 12 countries could be welcomed in the physical layer and triple-play section at the event. These companies provided DSLAMs and/or CPE modems which were developed to support the different flavours of the aforementioned technologies. As such there were ADSL2/ADSL2+ solutions provided that are able to work on telephone lines which carry either the usual telephone service (ADSL-over-POTS) as well as digital ISDN services (ADSL-over-ISDN). However, the main attractiveness for ADSL companies was achieved as all participants were providing ADSL2/ADSL2+ solutions which are following the latest standards provided by ITU-T, ETSI and the DSL-Forum. Especially now, where chipsets for ADSL2+ are available on a wide basis, CPE and DSLAM products allowing bit rates up to a multiple of the usually available



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ADSL bit rates could be used in the testing. This technology is opening the door for transporting the applications that are usually named as triple-play, providing voice services, data services and even video services on one common physical transmission path. In the ADSL2/2+ area there were 15 companies providing CPE products supporting the different Annexes of the relevant standards (Annex A, Annex B, Annex M, Annex L). On the DSLAM side there were 7 companies participating with various ADSL2/ADSL2+ line cards. As in the year before nearly every DSLAM which was provided at the event did not only provide ADSL2/ADSL2+ capabilities but also VDSL2 capabilities according to the recently approved ETSI TS 101 270. As this technology further opens the door for high performance services, the Triple-Play approach gets further support. Actually there were 14 VDSL2 CPE companies and 7 VDSL2 CO companies attending the event. 1.2 Physical Layer Interoperability Test Guides In principle, companies were free in their choice what to test with the counterpart they got connected to in a specific test-slot. However, to get the event to a success CETECOM ICT Services provided several test guides containing those test cases which are most important to achieve interoperability in mixed environments. All test cases were selected from various internationally recognised standards documents. Where necessary the test cases were completed with additional information to ease the interoperability testing. The test guides were not deemed to be a strict schedule for the testing. They were serving as supportive documents. All participants were asked to prepare their equipment to run the test cases that were contained in the test guide. With this, all participants had a common basis to work from. For sure, when companies agreed to deviate from the test guide they could do so. Nevertheless, a basic set of test cases could be run with each participating product. As both chip manufacturers and system integrators were present at the event, an appropriate selection of test cases had to be made. On one hand, the test cases had to be that detailed, that chipset manufacturers could gain experience and find useful information about their products at the event. On the other hand side, the test cases had to be that generic, that also system integrators (CPE and DSLAM manufacturers) could perform the tests without the need to deeply dig into the basics of the used chip set. In this year’s event one could observe, that companies did prepare very well for the event as many of them brought readily compiled test scripts which allowed a quick test of the specified test cases and left much more time to run further tests on a private basis. 1.2.1 ADSL2/ADSL2plus Test Guide Introduction This section informs about specific tests which were recommended for the 3Play over broadband Plugtests event as long as ADSL2/ADSL2plus systems were subject for testing. The test guide is based on the current DSL-Forum ADSL2/ADSL2plus interoperability test plans TR-100 (Version 1) and WT-105 (Version 6). This test guideline only refers to the tests in TR-100 and WT-105 without copying these into this document. Please refer to the respective documents for the relevant tests.



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<<< start of Test Guide for ADSL2/ADSL2+ >>> Test Guide The following tests are deemed to be "appropriate" for the 3Play over broadband Plugtests event with respect to the resources, capacity and time frame for a single test combination at the event. The tests given in here are only a subset of the tests inTR-100/WT-105. The Test Cases that are proposed in this document shall only be deemed as a proposal. The testing parties are free in performing further tests, if this is required to improve the interoperability of their systems. Furthermore, the participants of the Plugtests Event are free in choosing the appropriate order of testing. In the beginning of the interoperability test, the testing parties shall agree on the single test cases which shall be performed. However, the following test cases should be prepared in advance to allow a smooth and quick performance of the testing: Reporting of Results For an easy reporting specifically prepared test result sheets were provided. These are not repeated in this report. Proposed Tests Noise Margin Verification Before running performance tests, it is recommended to check the validity of the noise margin reporting provided by the units under test. As the Noise Margin Verification tests from TR-067 and TR-100, are too time-consuming to be used in the plugtests event (short time-slots) special Noise Margin Verification tests are proposed for this event.

1) Configure the loop simulator to 2000m (28,2dB) , ETS #1 2) Apply white noise at a level of -140dBm at both sides 3) Establish a DSL connection between DSLAM and CPE over the defined line in

adaptive mode 4) Wait for 60 sec. after Showtime and report the Noise Margin and the CRC Errors of

both sides 5) Increment the Noise Level at the ATU-R side in steps of 1 dB until CRC Errors are

counted in the DOWNSTREAM 6) Report the UP and DOWNSTREAM Noise Margin 7) Disconnect the Modem 8) Re-configure the noise to -140 dBm/Hz on both sides 9) Establish a DSL connection between DSLAM and CPE over the defined line in

adaptive mode 10) Wait for 60 sec. after Showtime and report the Noise Margin and the CRC Errors of

both sides 11) Increment the Noise Level at the ATU-C side in steps of 1 dB until CRC Errors are

counted in the UPSTREAM 12) Report the DOWN and UPSTREAM Noise Margin



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WT-105 ADSL2/2+ Functional Tests from WT-105

ATU-R ATU-C Test

3.2.1 2.2.1 G.994.1 Handshake Procedure

3.2.5.2 2.2.5.2 Power management mode transition test

3.2.6 2.2.6 Loop Diagnostic Mode

3.2.7 2.2.7 Overhead Messaging Test

3.2.8.2 2.2.8.2 Power Spectral Density (PSD) test. This test is possible independent from the Time slot at the CETECOM table for AnnexB devices. One Spectrum Analyzer will be centrally available at the event, if participants would like to verify the impact of their configuration to the electrical signal.

We assume, that every participant has ensured in advance, that the PSD of his device is conform to the respective standard.

8.1.8 8.1.8 ATU-R Register Reporting 8.1.9 8.1.9 Downstream Power Cutback Layer1 Performance Tests from TR-100

ATU-R ATU-C Tests

A.2 A.2 European Tests AnnexA

Loop Simulators for ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2plus will be available during the 5th Joint DSL Plugtests Event. We will have one loop simulator for every test combinations placed close to the DSLAM Manufactures. Also we will have some movable noise generators

All performance tests should be perform without noise or with the noise specified in the respective standard, please note this in the collection of the results

Tests for ADSL2:

A.2.5.1 Table A.2-15/TR-100 with the Profile A2_RA_F_16000k with White Noise Impairment

A.2.5.2 Table A.2-18/TR-100 with Profile A2_RA_I1/2_16000k with FB Impairment

Tests for ADSL2+:

A.2.5.3 Table A.2-19/TR-100 with Profile A2P_RA_F_30000K with White Noise Impairment

A.2.5.4 Table A.2-23/TR-100 with Profile A2P_RA_I_30000K



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with FB Impairment

Tests for ADSL2+ CABINET:

A.3 Table A.3-3/TR-100 with Profile A2P_RA_I_30000K, CAL=36 with FD over ADSL Impairment

B.2 B.2 European Tests AnnexB

Loop Simulators for ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2plus will be available during the 5th Joint DSL Plugtests Event. We will have one loop simulator for every test combinations placed close to the DSLAM Manufactures. Also we will have some movable noise generators

All performance tests should be perform without noise or with the noise specified in the respective standard, please note this in the collection of the results

Tests for ADSL2:

B.2.4.1 Table B.2-11/TR-100 with the Profile B2_RA_F_16000k with White Noise Impairment

B.2.4.2 Table B.2-14/TR-100 with Profile B2_RA_I_16000k with FB Impairment

Tests for ADSL2+:

B.3.4.1 Table B.3-12/TR-100 with Profile B2P_RA_F_30000K with White Noise Impairment

B.3.4.2 Table B.3-15/TR-100 with Profile B2P_RA_I_30000K with FB Impairment

Tests for ADSL2+ CABINET:

B.3.8 Table B.3-32/TR-100 with Profile A2P_RA_I_30000K, CAL=36 with FB Impairment

<<< end of Test Guide for ADSL2/ADSL2+ >>>



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1.2.2 VDSL2 The test guide for VDSL2 was built on the DSL-Forum documents WT-115. In the following the test plan is shown in essence: <<< start of Test Guide for VDSL2 >>> VDSL2 Functional Tests for VDSL2 adopted from WT-115

VTU-R VTU-C Test

5.1.1.1 5.1.1.1 Test of Capabilities, Profile and vendor ID

5.1.3 5.1.3 CRC Tests verify the CRC Error Reporting with micro interrupts of 10ms

5.2.6.7 5.2.6.7 Power management ; Transition from L0 to L2 and from L2 to L0

1. Initial a stable Link between VTU-C and VTU-R 2. report the link data (rates and noise margin) 3. Start any higher layer transaction 4. Stop the Higher layer transaction and wait for the transition from to state

L0 to L2 or force the transition to state L2 5. report the link data (rates and noise margin) 6. Initial a FTP or HTTP Up/Download 7. measure the time where the link need to transition in state L0 8. report the link data (rates and noise margin)

5.3.2.1 5.3.2.1 Bit Swapping

1. Initial a stable Link between VTU-C and VTU-R 2. report the link data (rates and noise margin) and the CRC Errors 3. Disturb one carrier in DOWN Stream direction 4. Report the link data (rates and noise margin), the CRC Errors and the bit

loading of the disturbed carrier Disturb one carrier in UP Stream direction 5. Report the link data (rates and noise margin), the CRC Errors and the bit

loading of the disturbed carrier

1.5 1.5 VTU-R Register Reporting

Report the reported Register values by the DSLAM

5.4.3 5.4.3 In-band Spectral shaping (WT-115 Version 4)

Layer 1 Performance Tests for VDSL2 adopted from WT-114

VTU-R VTU-C Test

A.1.7.1 A.1.7.1 Loop Reach Tests with adaptive rate profiles for VDSL2 over POTS with FDM



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spectral mask.

B.3.1.1 B.3.1.1 Loop Reach Tests with adaptive rate profiles for VDSL2 over ISDN withProfile B_8x. And White Noise conditions

B.3.6.1 B.3.6.1 Loop Reach Tests with adaptive rate profiles for VDSL2 over ISDN withProfile B_30x. And White Noise conditions

<<< end of Test Guide for VDSL2 >>> 2 The Room Plan Based on the information which was provided by the participants beforehand, the companies were placed in specific areas of the room. Mainly the question if a company provided DSLAMs or CPE modems and if a company was supporting Triple-Play-Application testing had to be considered when compiling the room plan. Down below there is the room plan as it was used at the Triple Play over Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests Event. The right hand side of the room was reserved for the GPON section. At it is not allowed to show the participating companies in this area, the section has been shaded out.



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3 Provided Test Equipment A major part of the event was for sure the investigation of the achievable performance in configurations where systems from different vendors are tested together. In difference to early DSL events, this year the organisation team managed again to get enough loop simulators to provide each DSLAM table with a fixedly allocated loop simulator. These loop simulators were provided by Telebyte and were capable of simulating the access cable characteristics up to a frequency of 18 MHz for ADSL2/2+ and 36 MHz for VDSL2. However, they were not equipped with a noise generator. To fully cover the specifications for the test environments several simulators were provided by Telebyte, Sparnex and Spirent. Beside the access cable characteristics these tools were also equipped with noise generator tools for both ADSL2/2+ and VDSL2. These simulators were provided on carts so that they could be moved flexibly. This kept the opportunity, that each company could take advantage of these simulators. Further test equipment was provided to give the participants the chance to investigate observed problems in a professional way. Down below there is a list of equipment that was provided for testing "centrally". Equipment provided by

Spectrum Analyzer SNA-3 CETECOM ICT Services

Digital Storage Oscilloscope CETECOM ICT Services

Balluns CETECOM ICT Services

Reference Modems CETECOM ICT Services

Multimeter CETECOM ICT Services

Line Simulator CETECOM ICT Services

Connectors/Adaptors CETECOM ICT Services Validated Terminations CETECOM ICT Services

Measuring Bridge for Symmetry CETECOM ICT Services

Measuring Bridge for Return Loss CETECOM ICT Services

Network Analyzer CETECOM ICT Services

ISDN BERT Measurement System CETECOM ICT Services

1 remotely controllable CPE test bench (incl. DSLAM configuration and loop simulator settings)

CETECOM ICT Services

1 full ADSL2plus test systems (Loop Simulators and Noise Generators for ADSL2/2+)

Sparnex

1 full VDSL2 test systems (Loop Simulators and Noise Generators for ADSL2/2+)

Sparnex

1 full ADSL2/ADSL2+ test system for Europe (Loop Simulators and Noise Generators for ADSL2/2+)

Spirent Communications

1 full VDSL2 test system (Loop Simulators and Noise Generators for VDSL2)

Spirent Communications

9 Line Simulators for ADSL2/2+ Telebyte

Non-Intrusive Monitoring Tools for Analyzing DSL communication MT2

Table: Test Equipment which was centrally available



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4 Test Network Set-Up and Characteristics For the interoperability testing a test set-up was provided that allowed all participants to stay at their desk when testing against a counterpart solution. Dependent on the implementation that was provided (DSLAM, CPE or both) the tables were connected with 4, 6 or 8 copper pairs to a central patch panel. All connections were of the exactly same length, to provide the equal conditions to all participants. Before the testing started all copper loops were tested with respect to their noise floor and their attenuation. All wires were found to have a noise floor of less than -140 dBm/Hz (measured with an RBW of 1 MHz) and an attenuation of less than 0,1 dB at 300 kHz (including 2 RJ-45 connectors). All copper pairs were terminated at the central patch panel at which CETECOM ICT Services provided all interconnections between the relevant desks according to the official time plan. Furthermore, CETECOM ICT Services provided additional connections between CPEs and DSLAMs on participant's request, as long as this was not in conflict with the current time plan. The cabling allowed testing physical layer interoperability and triple-play-applications simultaneously. For this purpose the available copper lines were allocated to a specific purpose. Two were for the connection on the DSL Physical Layer testing, further two were for the Triple-Play testing. At those desks where more than 4 copper lines were available the remaining were kept for flexible use, in most cases to provide additional links between the counterparts and for connecting CPE which were residing at the same table as a DSLAM. Every desk at which a CPE was to be tested a Triple-Play-Applications test bench was provided which could be connected flexibly to the DSLAMs which participated in the Triple-Play-Applications testing. At each table France Télécom provided a Set-Top-Box, a TV screen and a WLAN Lifebox. On the network side DSLAMs were connected either using optical fibres or Gigabit Ethernet connections to a centrally provided IP Router. That switch collected all signals that were to be sent to the triple-play-servers, which were located at the France Télécom R&D laboratories. In contrary to the years before, this year no ATM switch had to be provided, as all DSLAMs participating in the Triple-Play were based on IP rather than ATM. Here, the same trend as in the real communications network can be observed. 5 Overall Test Combinations and Coverage The high number of participating companies lead to a complete set of 189 different combinations of DSLAM and CPE counterpart testing. On a time basis the testing was planned in time slots of 2 hours length. Before each test slot there was a break of about 15 minutes to allow CETECOM to change the patch panel configuration and to allow the participants to clarify the tests that should be performed in the preceding test slot. To ease the exchange of information between the counterpart companies a template for product information exchange was provided. Participants were asked to fill in this template and to provide a copy of it to the company against which's products the testing for the preceding test slot was planned.



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5.1 Official Test Slots Over the entire week 16 “official” test slots could be provided (2 on Monday, 5 on Tuesday 3 on Wednesday, 4 on Thurday and 2 on Friday). Having 9 DSLAMs available at the event and having 16 timeslots over the week lead to the situation that the official test plan could theoretically only provide 144 test slots (meaning only about 60 % of the possible combinations). Furthermore, several participants announced that they will be not available on specific days (such as Monday and Friday). Therefore, CETECOM asked DSLAM manufacturer to check whether they could provide more than one port for aided testing, meaning to test against 2 CPE modems in parallel. Several DSLAM manufacturers followed the invitation of CETECOM, as this would also guarantee that the DSLAM could be tested against each of the available CPE modems. Furthermore, on Monday and Thursday an additional “free” test slot was introduced. These free slots were not allocated to specific DSLAM/CPE combinations but they were left open for free access, meaning, companies could select their counterpart on their own, either to re-test with partners who were met before or to increase their own coverage. Especially companies, which provided both ADSL2/2+ and VDSL2 were happy to have such opportunity. At the beginning of the event, already only 11 test combinations could not be served with an official slot. This means in the original planning there was already coverage of about 94 %. Although this initial percentage was reduced by unexpected late arrival or early departure of some participants, the flexibility of all participants helped to get to a final coverage of more than 97 % (meaning 97 % of all possible test combinations were tested during the week). 5.2 Additionally Provided Test Slots During the event further "unofficial" test combinations were patched by CETECOM ICT Services in close co-ordination of the participants. Finally, more than 97 % of the possible combinations were tested with respect to the physical layer interoperability.



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6 Network Provision for GPON After a planning period over several weeks the organisers from ETSI, France Télécom and CETECOM ICT Services agreed on the network which should be provided to the GPON community for testing. The speciality in this case is, that the test plans required several (very different) signals to be transported. It was required to provide at each table:

- 2 optical fibres which could be flexibly used for the OLT/ONT connections (single-mode fibre having SC/APC connectors)

- 4 optical fibres which could be flexibly used for the connection of test equipment (such as traffic analyzers etc.) and for the access to the central IP router which was providing internet access and Triple-Play application access (single-mode fibre having SC/PC connectors)

- 2 CAT7 Ethernet cables terminated at RJ-25 sockets for the connection of test equipment and Host PCs

- 2 additional CAT7 Ethernet cables for the management of specific test equipment All connections were to be provided at a small patch panel on every table, and surely terminated at a central patch panel on the other side. CETECOM provided a specific optical patch panel which was optimised for this purpose. On the patch panel all connections could be made – OLT to ONT as well as OLT to Access Router and ONT/OLT to Test Equipment. As several boxes on the central side were offering only LC connectors for their interfaces a well chosen selection of pigtails needed to be kept available. The patch panel for the GPON was completely de-coupled from the patch panel for the Triple-Play and DSL interoperability. In total about 2,7 km of optical fibres and 1,2 km of Ethernet cabling was deployed during the set-up of the event. Taking also the cables from the DSL physical and the Triple-Play into this calculation in total more than 8,5 km of cables were laid. This was the biggest network which has been built for any of the DSL Plugtests events so far and the quality was also outstanding. In fact there were only 2 cases, in which an optical coupler on a desk’s patch panel lost its mechanical fixing. These problems could be fixed within a minute each. Seeing, that the cabling (and especially the connectors) were in continuous use over the whole week (with several thousand plug cycles) one could rate the quality as very high. Also the participants signalled their full satisfaction with the cabling.



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7 Achieved Results For the testing pre-defined test result sheets were provided. Participants were asked to fill in these sheets during their testing. The provision of test results to the Plugtests event organisational team was voluntary and on a neutralised basis. This means it could not be re-constructed, from which specific tested combination the results were obtained. This was important to keep the "non-disclosing" spirit of the Plugtests event. The number of returned test results sheets was very low compared to former DSL Plugtests events. The number of returned sheets was too low to compile a representative aggregate test result. Therefore the results as obtained on the test result reporting sheets and as obtained during the interview of participants is summarised in the following verbally: All interviewed companies stated that they could test against most of the counterpart companies which they were most interested in. All interviewed companies stated furthermore, that the main interest in ADSL2/ADSL2+ was clearly the performance questions. Already in the 2006 event, this trend was visible. Many participants saw an improvement in their performance – generally, and also in the direct comparison of results from 2006 and 2007 against the same counterpart. Compared to 2006, where ADSL2/ADSL2+ solutions were just starting to concern about performance (after having reached stable interoperability), this year most companies were able to prove that the results of the rate/reach tests they did last year could be exceeded. Sure, the absolute improvement in performance is not any more that big, however, getting the optimum takes time. It shows also, that the standardisation works fine for these topics and that the performance request in the standard is reasonable. This situation also eased the life for the Triple-Play Testing, as the limiting factor was not anymore the interoperability but the link performance (which is surely dependent on the loop length an application needs to be transported over). In the VDSL2 area, there is still some work to be done to reach a status, where an optimal interoperability and performance could be reached. Although several combinations reported that they could already get deeply into the performance investigations, others observed quickly, that there is still some work to be done in their VDSL2 implementations. However, the single results that were visible at the event showed that already a promising status has been achieved. Compared to last year’s event one could observe, that VDSL2 is getting more and more importance at the CO and CPE manufacturers. In conclusion, from the feed-back which was received during the event it was observed, that with every interoperability event which is taking place (independent of the organising standardisation body) the quality of the products is increasing recognisably. The topic of reach and rate in mixed environments is now really approaching a mature status. The available documents (whether standards or working documents of standardisation bodies) are already in a good shape. It is now the time to get the VDSL2 implementations to fulfil these requirements. Hence, further events in this manner are required to give developers the ground which they need to improve their systems for the use in mixed environments.



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7.1 Participants' Satisfaction with the event During the event there is a questionnaire distributed amongst the participants. This questionnaire is to assess the participants' satisfaction with the whole event. Beside the questions on technical issues (what this report is for) also questions on the catering, room suitability, event accessibility etc. are asked. These are not reported in this document; however, they influence for sure the overall satisfaction with the Plugtests event. 30 participants returned the questionnaire, which is about half of the questionnaires distributed among the participants. They ranked the event on a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (very good) as follows. From the complete set of answers the highest scores were received on the organisation of the event in general, on the information provided prior to the event, the provided testing network (cabling) and the organisation of the physical layer interoperability part. All these points were ranked 4,2 and higher (average). The highest value was given to the non-technical event organisation provided by Nathalie Guinet, which was ranked at 4,6! What need to be noticed is the value for the usefulness of the event in this form for the industry. Having had a score of 4,2 last year the results dropped down to 3,9 which is still a good value, however, further attractiveness should be added to the event. 8 Conclusion The Triple-Play over Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests event can be rated as a really successful event. It was the first event which combined the complete range of technology types which is necessary for an optimised Triple-Play service to the end customer – with a real vision into the near future. Even when taking the single sections of the event separately, this assessment is true. In the Physical Layer Interoperability and Performance testing the most important progress was made on the improvement of ADSL2/2+ performance as well as the proof, that VDSL2 is suitable for the market. This underlines the current investment strategies of the most important network operators. In no former event, such a high interoperability could be shown for VDSL2. This is especially valid when one assesses the interoperability on system integrators level. The close co-operation of developers coming from all the different manufacturers showed, that the industry is keen in sorting out problems that have been observed so far. The market for high-speed services to the end customer is paved step by step and having shown this in an event like the one at hand gives further confidence to service providers all over the world. Especially seeing that such combined event for Triple-Play, DSL and GPON could attract that many companies to send their experts to the event shows that the ETSI plugtests services team has selected the right topic. A repetition of the event – then further concentrating on the real high speed access systems (VDSL2 and optical communication) – will definitely fit into the development throughout the next 12 months. The reader of this document is asked to also read the further information that is provided at www.etsi.org/plugtests/dsl.htm which further completes the report of this document.



Doc. No: 1-0288-1-1/07

Version: 1.0

Date: 2007-06-12


9 Some Impressions from the Plugtests Event

Preparing the Patch-Panel for the DSL-Physical and Triple-Play Testing

Outlets at the single GPON Desks (4 fibres SC/PC, 2 fibres SC/APC, 2 Cat-7 Ethernet)



Doc. No: 1-0288-1-1/07

Version: 1.0

Date: 2007-06-12


Left: The Patch-Panel for the GPON Testing (CETECOM) Right: IP Access Router (France Télécom)

Preparations are done … Time to Start

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Triple Play over Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests … · Broadband DSL and GPON Plugtests Event, held from May 07 through May 11, 2007 in Lannion France. Background ... 1 Plugtests