VeriWave Introduces First Automated Conformance Tests For WLAN / Wi-Fi Access Points



The 802.11 conformance test suites support Wi-Fi (WLAN) access point and client conformance verification

PORTLAND, ORE. -/29 Oct, 2004 - Wi-Fi Technology News/- VeriWave, Inc., the leading provider of performance analysis tools for wireless local area network (WLAN) devices and networks, today announced the introduction of the industry?s first automated conformance tests for IEEE 802.11 APs (Access Points) and clients. The test suites execute on VeriWave?s WaveTest? Traffic Generator/Performance Analyzer.

The two new conformance test suites address the complexity associated with the development of 802.11 devices. The Client UNH-IOL 802.11 Conformance Test Suite, designed to verify the conformance of drivers used in Smart Phones, PDAs, and Network Interface Cards (NICs), is already used by a leading WLAN chipset manufacturer. The AP UNH-IOL 802.11 Conformance Test Suite, designed to verify the conformance of access points, is used by a major AP vendor, as well as by the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab (UNH?IOL).The new test suites have proven invaluable in creating accurate and repeatable tests that result in substantial improvements in the device performance.

?The power and flexibility of the WaveTest system are now combined with a set of comprehensive, easy to use, and automated, conformance test suites,? said Gerard Goubert, manager, Wireless, Bridging and Voice Consortiums, University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory, Durham, N.H. ?The complete and precise control of 802.11 frames, as well as the timing accuracy and logging capabilities facilitated by the WaveTest Traffic Generator/Performance Analyzer has allowed UNH-IOL to automate current tests and develop more complete tests than were possible before.?

About the UNH-IOL Conformance Test Suites
The new test suites implement the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory?s 802.11 Base MAC Conformance Test Suite. The conformance test suites are part of an expanding library of pre-written and qualified test suites that run on the WaveTest Traffic Generator/Performance Analyzer test system. Designed for use by Wi-Fi / WLAN chipset developers and system developers, the UNH-IOL 802.11 Conformance Test Suites can be used in a variety of applications, including device and system design, qualification, validation and QA testing.

Some of the tests implemented in the conformance test suites include:
? Authentication State
? Open System Authentication
? Association State
? AP Re-association Procedure
? Recovery Procedure and Retransmit Limits
? MAC Level Acknowledgement
? Duplication Detection and Recovery
? Fragmentation and De-fragmentation.
For additional information describing the test procedures that are addressed by the VeriWave automated conformance test suites, visit the UNH-IOL InterOperability Laboratory Web site at http://www.iol.unh.edu/testsuites/wireless/mac-base.html.

About the WaveTest 802.11 Traffic Generator/Performance Analyzer
The WaveTest 802.11 Traffic Generator/Performance Analyzer is a new class of Wi-Fi / WLAN testing tool that overcomes the limitations of existing test methods. Unlike other Wi-Fi / WLAN test systems, WaveTest can operate in both a shielded lab environment or in open air, matching the environment where Wi-Fi / WLAN systems are installed and signals often interfere in ways that can?t be anticipated during lab tests. The WaveTest system is the first Wi-Fi / WLAN verification system that offers complete 802.11 performance and conformance testing. The WaveTest Traffic Generator provides total interactive traffic control with timing precision for both correct and errored traffic. This allows the full testing of functional operation, timing parameters, and spatial features of the standard. No other test system on the market today offers the full capability needed to perform the hundreds of tests required for compliance with the 802.11 standards.

Price and Availability
The WaveTest Traffic Generator/Performance Analyzer and the automated 802.11 conformance test suites are available now. WaveTest pricing starts at $28,995.

About VeriWave
VeriWave was formed to address the need for reliable performance testing for wireless local area networks. VeriWave?s WaveTest products are built specifically for wireless performance and verification testing offering a high degree of data and timing accuracy, and a complete and flexible wireless test solution.
VeriWave is based in Portland, Oregon and is backed by major venture capital companies. For more information about VeriWave, go to http://www.veriwave.com, or call (503) 473-8350.

About the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory
Established in 1988, the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) is a non-profit organization that offers comprehensive interoperability and conformance-based testing through 19 technology-based groups, called consortiums. Test solutions created at the UNH-IOL offer a set of methods to increase interoperability through protocol operations, signaling, point-to-point and multi-system scenarios. For more information, visit the UNH-IOL website at: http://www.iol.unh.edu.