McObject Aids Spirent to Redefine Database Scalability

Spirent Communications has announced that they are redefining database scalability with their award-winning platform for testing network devices and services, Spirent TestCenter.

 

The platform is able to easily capture live network traffic data for testing by incorporating the eXtremeDB embedded database from McObject. Spirent TestCenter positions eXtremeDB at each of the device's ports to emulate network traffic flows. According to company officials, one port can generate packet traffic equal to using 32,000 routers, servers, gateways or other devices in a "real" network.

 

For large scale testing, Spirent TestCenter offers as many as 720 ports on a single rack in a single Spirent TestCenter installation. Each port has its own processor, Linux operating system, and eXtremeDB in-memory database.

 

Spirent acknowledges that this highly distributed use of eXtremeDB plays a very important role in the superior performance, productivity and analytical intelligence of its innovative test architecture.

 

The current eXtremeDB-based design uses the distributed databases to capture, store and analyze data locally. The design then transfers the results of this number-crunching to a main eXtremeDB instance embedded in control system software on the tester’s PC. This means that the maximum amount of data is analyzed and messaging traffic is minimized.

 

Tom McBeath, chief technology officer, Spirent Communications (News - Alert) noted that Spirent TestCenter's Intelligent Results capability ensures that the widest possible range of useful data is captured for quick fault identification, isolation and analysis. He also appreciates eXtremeDB that has helped them to deliver meaningful results rather than just raw numbers.

 

The control system application uses eXtremeSQL to query the distributed databases. eXtremeSQL is McObject's implementation of the open, industry-standard SQL interface and it also supports the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) standard.

 

Use of eXtremeSQL simplifies data-sharing between the eXtremeDB embedded database in the control software and external applications such as other relational DBMSs.

 

eXtremeDB's native API, along with the database's streamlined design and in-memory data storage, deliver the needed speed for the real-time functions that capture and analyze network traffic data.

 

Spirent also appreciates eXtremeDB's small footprint that helps rein in Spirent TestCenter's manufacturing cost.