How to test AN/LT protocol and performance

Devices using 56/112G SerDes for high-speed Ethernet require extra focus on physical layer (Layer 1) testing because the signals are heavily degraded even over relatively short transmission lengths.

As a result, Auto-Negotiation & Link Training (AN/LT) are becoming essential Ethernet features for high-speed, short distance connections over electrical cables because they help establish a link between two devices prior to sending real L2/L3 traffic.

This Application Note describes how to use Xena’s FreyaCompact AN/LT Test Appliance and Xena OpenAutomation (XOA) to test AN/LT protocol implementations.