GPON Xpert Product Description

Product
Description
GPON Xpert™ Product Description
© 2002 – 2021 TraceSpan™ Communications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Proprietary and Confidential
Last Updated: August 15, 2021
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Description
Table of Contents
1 Introduction....................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Main Features and Capabilities ................................................................................. 4
2 Supported Protocols and Standards .................................................................................. 5
2.1 Upper Layer Protocols ............................................................................................... 6
3 Hardware Configuration ................................................................................................... 7
3.1 PCI Express Card ...................................................................................................... 7
3.1.1 Optical Interfaces ............................................................................................................ 7
3.2 Optical Adaptor Specifications .................................................................................. 7
3.2.1 Dimensions ...................................................................................................................... 8
3.2.2 Optical Interfaces ............................................................................................................ 8
3.2.3 Optical Attenuation on the Line ...................................................................................... 8
3.3 Connection Modes ..................................................................................................... 9
3.3.1 Validating Connectivity ................................................................................................. 11
4 Data Capture and Analysis ............................................................................................. 12
4.1 Real-Time and Off-line Analysis Modes................................................................. 12
4.2 Filters ....................................................................................................................... 12
4.2.1 Recording Filters .......................................................................................................... 12
4.2.2 Analysis Filters.............................................................................................................. 12
4.2.3 Viewing Filters .............................................................................................................. 13
4.3 GTC and GEM Layer Analysis ............................................................................... 13
4.3.1 Time Stamp for all the Messages................................................................................... 13
4.3.2 AES Encryption Analysis ............................................................................................... 13
4.3.3 FEC Analysis................................................................................................................. 14
4.4 OMCI Analysis ........................................................................................................ 14
4.4.1 Baseline and Extended Messages .................................................................................. 14
4.4.2 OMCI ME List and Attributes ....................................................................................... 15
4.4.3 OMCI Relations Diagram ............................................................................................. 16
4.4.4 Partial OMCI Relations Diagram ................................................................................. 16
4.4.5 Definition of Custom Managed Entities ........................................................................ 17
4.4.6 VLAN Routing ............................................................................................................... 17
4.5 ONU Comparison .................................................................................................... 18
4.6 Upper Layer Analysis .............................................................................................. 19
4.7 Alarms and Events ................................................................................................... 20
4.8 Triggers.................................................................................................................... 20
4.9 DBA Analysis .......................................................................................................... 21
4.9.1 Online Graphs ............................................................................................................... 21
4.9.2 Peak Values ................................................................................................................... 22
4.9.3 DBA Summary ............................................................................................................... 23
4.10 Validation Testing ................................................................................................... 24
4.11 Performance Monitoring.......................................................................................... 25
4.12 Statistics ................................................................................................................... 26
5 OLT Emulation (Optional) ............................................................................................. 27

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5.1 Predefined Test Cases.............................................................................................. 27

5.2 User-Defined Test Cases ......................................................................................... 28
5.3 OMCI Playback ....................................................................................................... 31
5.4 Built-in Traffic Generation Option .......................................................................... 31
5.5 Automated ONU Testing Solution .......................................................................... 31
6 Data Export ..................................................................................................................... 33
6.1 Data Forwarding to Network Port ........................................................................... 33
6.2 HTML Report .......................................................................................................... 33
7 Remote Control and Automated Testing ........................................................................ 34
7.1 Remote Control ....................................................................................................... 34
7.2 Automated Testing and CLI Commands ................................................................. 34
8 Graphical User Interface ................................................................................................. 35
8.1 Network Topology Representation .......................................................................... 35
8.2 Customer Identification on the Network Tree ......................................................... 36
8.3 Color-Coded Graphical Representation ................................................................... 36
8.4 Data Details ............................................................................................................. 36
9 Environmental Conditions .............................................................................................. 37

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1 Introduction
GPON Xpert™ is a multi-layer analyzer and OLT emulator. As an analyzer it
provides full visibility to the content of all the protocols and layers on the GPON
network, including MAC and OMCI layers, as well as the user traffic on the GPON
network in protocol layers such as Ethernet, PPP, PPPoE, IPv4 and IPv6, TCP, UDP
IGMP, DHCP, HTTP and TR-069. Its sophisticated Validation Testing mechanism
provides go/no-go indications about compliance with predefined and user-defined test
cases. It is fully passive and has no effect on the data transmitted on the PON.
As an OLT emulator, it generates PLOAM messages to activate the ONU and
configure the OMCC GEM port, serves as an OMCI Master to generate and transmit
OMCI messages and generates downstream Ethernet traffic encapsulated within the
GEM frames. It includes pre-defined test cases for the BBF TP-247 ONU
conformance test plan and a built-in tool for creation of customized test cases. It also
allows "playback" of OMCI messages that were captured from an OLT as emulated
messages into the ONU.
GPON Xpert can simultaneously perform OLT emulation with capture and analysis of
the data, and thanks to its embedded multi-layer analysis capability can automatically
compare the ONU's behavior with the expected one and provide Pass/Fail indications
for each of the test steps. The OLT emulator combined with the GPON analyzer is a
complete cost-effective and integrative testing tool for GPON equipment and
networks. It addresses the need for testing an ONU on a stand-alone basis as well as
for end-to-end testing of the GPON network.
1.1 Main Features and Capabilities

 Passive: GPON Xpert passively monitors the line, does not regenerate the
GPON signal and does not affect the data transfer between the OLT and the
ONUs/ONTs.
 Chipset independent: GPON Xpert does not contain a GPON chipset, making
it an objective and unbiased tool.
 Protocol support: GPON Xpert can analyze GPON MAC, OMCI and upper
layer protocols and track and displays events through all layers.
 Simultaneous data extraction: GPON Xpert simultaneously displays both
upstream and downstream information and the connection between the two.
 Standard-compliant verification: GPON Xpert compares the analyzed data to
the relevant standards and provides warnings about incompleteness of
measurements or incompatibility with standards.

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 Storage: It can store the raw data and measurements and can play back the
data at a later stage.
 Comprehensive reporting: GPON Xpert has a graphical user interface and can
display various graphs, tables and reports relating to performance and faults.
 OLT emulation (optional): GPON Xpert has an option to test an ONU stand-
alone without an OLT, buy generating messages and traffic and validating the
ONU's behavior according to predefined or user-defined test scenarios.
2 Supported Protocols and Standards

 ITU-T G984.2
 ITU-T G984.3
 ITU-T G984.4
 ITU-T G.988
 BBF TR-156
 BBF ATP-247 (previously called TR-247)
 BBF TP-247 (previously called IR-247 and OD-247)
 BBF ATP-255
 BBF TR-069

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2.1 Upper Layer Protocols

GPON Xpert can export the upper layer data (Ethernet and above) to PCAP format.
Export can be done for the whole PON, or for selected elements on the PON only
(ONUs, T-CONTs and/or GEM Ports).
Export can be done to a file, or the data can be streamed to a network port.
In addition, it supports native analysis of the following protocols in the same
application as the GPON, GEM and OMCI protocols:
 PPPoE
 PPP
 ARP
 Ethernet 802.3 (Including VLANs and Q-in-Q)
 IPv4
 IPv6
 ICMPv6
 IGMP
 DHCP
 DHCPv6
 UDP
 TCP
 HTTP
 RTP
 TR-069
Analysis of the upper layer protocols in the same application provides several
significant benefits to the user compared to analysis with external tools:
1. It allows direct correlation of the services with the customer's ONUs and GEM
Ports.
2. It allows searching for a customer by its IP address, MAC address, or VLAN
ID.
3. It allows the correlation between the different protocols layers, as an example
comparison of the VLAN routing information from the OMCI messages with
the actual traffic on the Ethernet layer.

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3 Hardware Configuration
3.1 PCI Express Card
GPON Xpert is based on a computer with built in PCI Express card. The PCI Express
card has optical transceivers for receiving and transmitting the optical signals. These
transceivers are standard GPON interfaces, compliant with the ITU-T G.984.x
standards, and include optical interfaces for the downstream and for the upstream
signals.
GPON Xpert PCI Express Card

Connection to the optical network is done through an optical adaptor unit, which
connects between the PON and the PCI Express card.
3.1.1 Optical Interfaces

The PCI Express card has two optical interfaces, as detailed below:
 Downstream interface: SC/PC optical connector, 1490 nm, supports data rate
of up to 2.488 GHz, optical input range -8 to -28 dBm
 Upstream interface: SC/PC optical connector, 1310 nm, supports data rate of
up to 1.244 GHz, optical input range -8 to -28 dBm
3.2 Optical Adaptor Specifications
GPON Xpert Optical Adaptor

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3.2.1 Dimensions
Height: 34 mm (1.3 in.)
Width: 106 mm (4.2 in.)
Depth: 126 mm (5.0 in.) without connectors, 156 mm (6.1 in) with connectors
3.2.2 Optical Interfaces

PON side:
 Four (4) standard SC/APC optical connectors, two for serial connection mode
(downstream and upstream), two for parallel connection mode (downstream
and upstream)
Computer side:
 Four (4) SC/APC optical connectors, two for serial connection mode
(downstream and upstream), two for parallel connection mode (downstream
and upstream)
3.2.3 Optical Attenuation on the Line

Serial mode: 30/70 coupler, typical attenuation 1.9 dB (max 2.2 dB).

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3.3 Connection Modes

GPON Xpert can connect to the PON in two modes:
 Serial connection mode, in which the analyzer is connected in series to the line
between the OLT and the ONUs/ONTs.
 Parallel connection mode, in which the analyzer is connected to splitters
between the OLT and the ONUs/ONTs. This connection mode enables
connection of the GPON analyzer to a live GPON network without
disconnection of the fiber and thus with no interruption to the GPON traffic.
The following diagrams describe the serial and the parallel connection modes, and
connection near the OLT (between the OLT and the splitter) and near the ONU/ONT
(between the splitter and the ONU/ONT).
GPON Xpert Serial Connection at the OLT Side

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GPON Xpert Serial Connection at the ONU Side
GPON Xpert Parallel Connection at the OLT Side

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3.3.1 Validating Connectivity

The GPON Xpert software application allows you to validate the connectivity, by
presenting arrows that indicate the existence of optical signals at sufficient power
levels for the measurement. These indications are based on optical measurements that
are performed by the GPON Xpert PCI Express.
Two arrows are presented, one for the downstream signal (1490 nm) and one for the
upstream signal (1310 nm). Each of these arrows is displayed in red color if no optical
signal is detected, or if its power level is not sufficient for measurement; and in green
color if its power level is sufficient.
The following examples demonstrate the functionality of these arrows:
Indication
Meaning Both the downstream Only downstream is Both downstream

and upstream are not detected, or the and upstream signals
detected, or their power level of the are detected and their
power levels are not upstream signal is power levels are
sufficient not sufficient sufficient

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4 Data Capture and Analysis

4.1 Real-Time and Off-line Analysis Modes
GPON Xpert can perform real-time analysis in two basic modes:
 Standard mode, in which all data communicated between the OLT and
ONUs/ONTs is saved to the computer's hard drive.
 Continuous mode (optional, by software license), which uses cyclic buffering
of the data to provide unlimited capture and analysis duration. This mode is
intended for identifying problems that only occur long after the GPON
network has activated, as well as enabling the user to trace and target various
conditions and events that are not easily reproduced.
In addition, GPON Xpert supports off-line analysis of the captured data.
The captured data and the analysis files are saved on the computer's hard drive and
can be viewed again by opening them with the GPON Xpert application. In addition,
the captured data is saved in raw format and can be re-analyzed later on.
4.2 Filters
GPON Xpert Supports Filters at three levels: Recording, Analysis and Viewing
4.2.1 Recording Filters

GPON Xpert allows the definition of filters for the upper layer data recordings, so that
only relevant data is recorded, thus reducing file sizes and conserving disk space. It
allows the definition of filters for specific ONU ID numbers, T-CONT numbers and
Port numbers, or any combination of these. It also allows filtering out of Data from
any Port, even if data from its ONU and T-CONT are enabled.
4.2.2 Analysis Filters

The user may define the following criteria for filtering the analyzed data:
 Filtering by ONU-ID, so that the bursts are only analyzed and displayed for
selected ONUs
 Filtering by protocol, so that only selected protocols are analyzed. For every
selected protocol the user may select the default level or the full level (all
packets and frames).

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4.2.3 Viewing Filters

The user may filter the messages to be viewed by the DBRu mode, GEM payload type
(Ethernet and/or OMCI), number of BWmap messages, PLOAM message type, ONU-
ID and T-CONT ID. Multiple conditions may be combined with AND/OR/NOT
logical operations.
At the OMCI layer the user may filter messages by the ME type (including custom
MEs) and/or by the message type. Here too multiple conditions may be combined
with AND/OR/NOT logical operations.
The user may also filter messages at the upper layers based on criteria that are
relevant to each layer. As an example, at the Ethernet layer filters are available by
Source MAC address, Destination MAC address and/or VLAN ID; and at the IP layer
filters are available by Source IP address, Destination IP address and/or next level
protocol.
4.3 GTC and GEM Layer Analysis

GPON Xpert displays information for the GTC and GEM layers, including all the
fields and associated values exchanged between the OLT and the ONUs/ONTs. The
frames are displayed simultaneously for the downstream and upstream in the order in
which they were transmitted, including the correlation between the downstream and
upstream frames. These frames also include all the upstream and downstream
PLOAM messages and OMCI messages. GPON Xpert clearly displays the value of all
the frame fields of these messages as defined in the G.984.3 standard. It displays the
BWmaps for all the T-CONTs based on the relevant messages. The data is presented
in parsed format and in raw format (Hexadecimal view).
GPON Xpert can also present the GEM headers for each one of the GEM payload
frames (Ethernet and/or OMCI), including the GEM Port ID and the PLI and PTI
fields.
4.3.1 Time Stamp for all the Messages

Every message has a time stamp to indicate when it was transmitted. The user can
select the timestamp to either be relative to the start of the capture or absolute (related
to the computer's clock). The timestamp resolution is up to 1 microsecond.
4.3.2 AES Encryption Analysis

GPON Xpert fully supports analysis of payload with AES encryption. It captures the
encryption messages and the encryption key and decrypts the data on the encrypted
GEM ports, both for Ethernet and OMCI payloads. The encrypted ports are marked on
the network recording tree with a padlock icon.

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4.3.3 FEC Analysis

GPON Xpert fully supports analysis of frames with FEC enabled. It displays the FEC
indicator bits and can parsees the messages correctly when FEC is enabled.
4.4 OMCI Analysis

GPON Xpert displays the messages and events for the OMCI messages, including the
parsed format and the raw format (Hexadecimal view). In addition, it displays the
following:
 OMCI relations diagram
 List of OMCI MEs and their attribues
 VLAN Routing diagram
GPON Xpert supports the standard MEs and customized vendor-specific MEs.
It supports both the G.984.4 and G.988 standards, including their amendments.
4.4.1 Baseline and Extended Messages

GPON Xpert supports both the Baseline OMCI messages, which have 48-byte fixed
length PDUs, and the Extended OMCI messages with variable length PDUs of up to
1980 bytes. It automatically identifies the type of OMCI message and analyzes it
accordingly.

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4.4.2 OMCI ME List and Attributes

GPON Xpert displays a list of all the managed entities and their attributes for any
selected OMCI port. The attribute values are displayed in both functional and
hexadecimal formats. Attributes that are tables are indicated by an icon, and clicking
the icon shows the details of the table, as demonstrated in the following diagram:
GPON Xpert OMCI ME Attributes View

The user can select to sort the managed entities by alphabetical order or by their order
of creation. The managed entities and their attributes can also be exported to an XML
file, which includes the attribute values in both functional (parsed) and hexadecimal
formats.

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4.4.3 OMCI Relations Diagram

GPON Xpert displays the relations between the OMCI managed entities (MEs) in a
diagram view. The MEs are represented in graphic shapes as defined in G.984.4 and
G.988, and the explicit and implicit relations between the MEs are also represented as
defined in these standards, so that an explicit relation is indicated by a solid arrowed
line, and an implicit one by a dashed line.
The attributes for each ME are also clearly displayed sisde-by-side with the diagram.
GPON Xpert OMCI Relations Diagram

GPON Xpert can display the OMCI diagram for the full OMCI MIB of the ONU (full
OMCI relations diagram), or a partial diagram, as detailed in the next section.
4.4.4 Partial OMCI Relations Diagram

GPON Xpert can display a partial OMCI diagram, which includes only selected
managed entity and the ones connected to it with explicit and implicit relations. It also
allows step-by-step expansion of the partial diagram to add additional MEs and create
a full diagram for a selected service.
The format of the partial diagram is identical to that of the full diagram, as described
in the previous section.

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4.4.5 Definition of Custom Managed Entities

GPON Xpert allows the user to define customized (vendor-specific) OMCI Managed
Entities (MEs), including their attributes, alarms and TCAs, and add them to the
analyzer's vocabulary. After a customized ME is defined, GPON Xpert identifies it as
part of the protocol, and analyzes it just like any other standard ME.
The definitions of the customized MEs are saved in files, which allow adding and
updating them by copying the files to the GPON Xpert computer.
4.4.6 VLAN Routing

GPON Xpert provides VLAN Routing analysis tools with convenient graphical
display of the traffic flow through the GPON network, including VLAN IDs and C-
tags, S-tags, P-bits and Ethertypes for any selected T-CONT. It can also automatically
compare the VLAN tagging and filtering information transferred in the OMCI with
that captured by analysis of the Ethernet traffic and clearly indicate if they match.
The comparison of the VLAN Routing information with the Ethernet traffic is
available thanks to the fact that the upper layer protocols are analyzed in the same
application as the GPON and OMCI protocols.
GPON Xpert VLAN Routing Diagram

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4.5 ONU Comparison

The ONU Comparison is a powerful tool that allows you to automatically compare the
OMCI configurations of your ONU with those of a reference ONU and find the
differences between the two quickly and easily. Additional parameters of both ONUs,
including their Vendor ID and Serial Number are compared as well.
The differences between the MEs and the attributes of the two ONUs are marked in
red color, while the identical MEs and attributes are marked in green color, to allow
the user to distinguish them easily.
The differences are also marked with icons according to different categories, to
indicate for every ME if it exists in both ONUs or only in one of the two, and if its
attributes are identical or different. The results can also be filtered according to any of
these categories.
The GPON Xpert allows you to export the results to various standard file formats
including HTML, PDF and XML, which can be viewed and analyzed on any PC
without requiring any special software.
GPON Xpert ONU Comparison Results

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4.6 Upper Layer Analysis

GPON Xpert supports native analysis of a variety of upper layer protocols in the same
application as the GTC, GEM and OMCI protocols, including Ethernet 802.3
(Including VLANs and Q-in-Q), PPPoE, PPP, ARP, IPv4 and IPv6, ICMPv6, IGMP,
DHCPv4 and DHCPv6, UDP, TCP, HTTP and TR-069.
Upper
Layers
Upper
Layers
Upper
Layers
GPON Xpert Upper Layer Protocol View (IP Layer Shown)

In addition, it can export the upper layer data (Ethernet and above) to PCAP format.
Export can be done for the whole PON.
Export can be done to a file, or the data can be streamed to a network port.
It should be noted that analysis of the upper layer protocols in the same application
provides several significant benefits to the user compared to analysis with external
tools:
1. It allows direct correlation of the services with the customer's ONUs and GEM
Ports.
2. It allows the Validation Testing mechanism to automatically validate the upper
layer protocols exchanged between the OLT and the ONUs, including parameters
like MAC addresses, VLAN IDs, Priority bits, IP addresses, IGMP messages etc.
3. It allows the correlation between the different protocols layers, as an example
comparison of the VLAN routing information from the OMCI messages with the
actual traffic on the Ethernet layer.

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4.7 Alarms and Events

Any deviation from the standard or interoperability issue is defined as an event and
displayed when it occurs. GPON Xpert supports four different severity levels
(Informational, Minor Warning, Major Warning and Error), and every event is
assigned a predefined severity level. GPON Xpert allows the user to change the
predefined severity levels for each type of event, as well as to define some events as
not being reported. The updated severity levels may be saved in a file, from which
they may be uploaded for future use.
Among others, the events represent conditions indicating alarms as defined in G.984.3
section 11.1, as an example missing upstream burst for a valid allocation, which are
the equivalent of LOSi and LOFi.
4.8 Triggers
GPON Xpert has an extensive triggering mechanism, which allows the user to define
certain conditions or a combination of them as a trigger. For every trigger which is
defined, the user has the option to select one of the following actions when the trigger
is met:
 Displaying the trigger and continuing the analysis.
 Stopping the analysis immediately.
 Stopping the analysis after a predefined number of seconds.
The following types of conditions may be defined as triggers:
a. An event
b. A level of hierarchy on the GPON recording tree, for example definition of a
GEM port or a specific upper layer protocol.
c. PLOAM messages
d. Upper layer protocol messages, such as for PPP, IGMP and DHCP.
e. OMCI messages
f. OMCI relations (both explicit and implicit relations)
g. Performance counter values

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4.9 DBA Analysis

GPON Xpert has Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (DBA) analysis tools to enable the
user to monitor the bandwidth allocation and efficiency of the network activity.
Parameters such as the transmitted bytes vs. the idle bytes and the ONU and T-CONT
queue lengths are displayed in charts and graphs, along with statistics and information
about peak traffic.
The DBA analysis is available for an OLT and an ONU. For the OLT it analyzes the
DBA parameters for the different ONUs under this OLT. For an ONU it analyzes the
DBA parameters for the T-CONTs under this ONU. The following views are
available as part of the DBA analysis:
 Online Graphs
 Peak Values
 DBA Summary
More details about each of them are provided in the following sections.
4.9.1 Online Graphs

The Online Graphs display various parameters related to the upstream traffic for every
selected ONU or T-CONT, the ratio of Transmitted vs. Idle traffic and the Queue
Occupancy for every ONU or T-CONT. If the DBA menu was selected for an OLT,
the graphs will display these parameters for ONUs. If it was selected for an ONU,
they will display them for T-CONTs that are under this ONU.
The Online Graphs include three tabs:
 Upstream Traffic Overview – displays graphs which provide an overview of
the network activity for selected ONUs or selected T-CONTs.
 Transmitted Upstream Traffic Vs. Idle Ratio – displays a graphical
representation of the ratio between the transmitted and idle bytes in the
upstream traffic for every selected ONU or T-CONT.
 Queue Occupancy – displays a graph with the queue occupancy for every
selected ONU or T-CONT.

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GPON Xpert DBA Analysis – Online Graphs
4.9.2 Peak Values

The Peak Values menu displays various types of peak values related to the peak
upstream values for every selected ONU or T-CONT. If the Peak Values menu was
selected for an OLT, the graphs will display these parameters for ONUs. If it was
selected for an ONU, they will display them for T-CONTs that are under this ONU.
The Peak Values screen includes a toolbar and three tabs:
 Number of Consecutive Idle Patterns – displays the minimum and maximum
values of consecutive idle patterns in every second during the last 60 seconds
or in every minute during the last 24 hours.
 Upstream Traffic Peak Values – displays the minimum and maximum traffic
values in every second during the last 60 seconds or in every minute during
the last 24 hours.
 Queue Occupancy Peak Values – displays the minimum and maximum queue
occupancy values in every second during the last 60 seconds or in every
minute during the last 24 hours.

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GPON Xpert DBA Analysis – Queue Occupancy Peak Values
4.9.3 DBA Summary

The DBA Summary is a table summarizing various DBA parameters as measured
during the analysis. These values indicate different aspects of the network efficiency
and utilization.
The DBA Summary table includes the following columns:
 ONU/T-CONT ID
 Average Network Utilization – The average ratio of transmitted bytes vs.
allocated bytes per second
 Average of Maximum Network Utilization Values – The average of the
maximum values per second of the ratio of transmitted bytes vs. allocated
bytes
 Average of Minimum Network Utilization Values – The average of the
minimum values per second of the ratio of transmitted bytes vs. allocated
bytes
 Average Queue Occupancy – The average queue occupancy per second
 Average of Maximum Queue Occupancy Values – The average of the
maximum values per second of the queue occupancy
 Average of Minimum Queue Occupancy Values – The average of the
minimum values per second of the queue occupancy
 Average BWmap Allocation – The average BWmap allocation per second
 Average of Maximum BWmap Allocation Values – The average of the
maximum values per second of the BWmap allocation

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4.10 Validation Testing

GPON Xpert includes a unique Validation test capability, which provides a fast and
easy way to run a go/no-go test of the GPON network and its equipment in order to
determine whether or not they work properly according to predefined criteria (for
example, standards). When running a Validation test scenario, the user receives a
simple pass/fail indication based on the test’s predefined scenario.
GPON Xpert has factory-defined test scenarios based on the FSAN's recommendation
for GPON Validation tests, which include processes such as ONU Bring-up,
Encryption, MIB Synchronization, Software Image Download, Service Provisioning
and more.
The user also has an option to edit the predefined test scenarios and save them under
different names, as well as to define customized test scenarios.
The OLT emulator predefined BBF.247 test cases come with predefined Validation
tests to provide pass/fail results according to the criteria defined in TP-247. For the
user-defined test cases, the user may define customized Validation tests.
GPON Xpert Validation Test Results

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4.11 Performance Monitoring

The Performance Monitoring capability allows the user to monitor GPON network
performance and present the results in a graphical and textual format. Performance
monitoring may be used to indicate bandwidth allocation and network efficiency, as
an example, by comparing transmitted data rates among various ONUs and GEM
ports, as well as various metrics and events related to QoS, QoE and bandwidth
utilization. It may be used to monitor protocol errors at various layers, such as HEC
Errors, PLOAM Errors, PCBD Errors, etc.
The Performance Monitoring capability is especially useful when monitoring a certain
subscriber to verify that its downstream or upstream are above the required values, as
part of SLA verification or for troubleshooting specific issues related to bandwidth.
Triggers can be set on any value for any of the metrics, for example, when
investigating a subscriber's complains about insufficient bandwidth by setting a
trigger on a value lower than expected downstream / upstream bandwidth.
A screenshot of Performance Monitor window is shown below.
GPON Xpert Performance Monitoring View

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4.12 Statistics
GPON Xpert displays various statistics for every layer on the recording tree.
For every ONU these statistics include the number of BWmap allocations, the total
number of allocated bytes, the number of missed BWmap allocations and the number
of packets.
For the OLT it includes the above statistics for the whole PON as well as the number
of ONUs on the PON.
For every GEM port it includes the following statistics:
 At the GEM layer, the total number of transmitted bits, the total number of net
transmitted bits and overhead bits, separately for the downstream and the
upstream.
 At the Ethernet layer, the number of frames and the number of VLANs,
separately for the downstream and the upstream.
 At the IP layer, the total number of packets and the number of packets for
every protocol (UDP, TCP, IGMP etc.), separately for the downstream and the
upstream.
OLT Statistics GEM Layer Statistics

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5 OLT Emulation (Optional)

GPON Xpert includes OLT Emulation functionality (optional, by license), to allow it
to be used for testing an ONU on a stand-alone basis as well as for performing ONU
conformance tests. As an OLT Emulator, it can generate PLOAM messages to
activate the ONU and configure the OMCC GEM port and serve as an OMCI Master
to generate and transmit OMCI messages.
The analyzer can simultaneously perform OLT Emulation with capture and analysis
of the upstream data from the ONU under test and the downstream data which it
transmits.
The OLT Emulator can run two types of test cases, predefined and user-defined. It can
also re-play OMCI messages that were captured with the analyzer and inject them
back into the ONU. The following sections provide more details about its different
operation modes.
5.1 Predefined Test Cases

The GPON Xpert OLT Emulator includes predefined tests for test cases defined in the
BBF TP-247 ONU Conformance Test Plan. For each such test case it compares the
ONU's behavior to its expected one and provides Pass/Fail indications based on the
test case's Pass/Fail criteria. These indications are based not only on the PLOAM and
OMCI layers, but also on the actual Ethernet-layer data in all test cases where it is
relevant. It presents the test results in an easy-to-read format as explained in the
Validation Testing section.
In addition, the user has the option to view the detailed contents of every frame and
every message sent downstream and upstream as in any standard analysis.

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5.2 User-Defined Test Cases

The GPON Xpert OLT Emulator allows the user to define his or her own customized
test cases. Its user interface includes a step-by-step wizard for generation of the test
cases, which allows saving and editing of test cases. Examples of screenshots of the
wizard are shown below.
OLT Emulator User-defined Test Case Wizard – Main Screen

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OLT Emulator User-defined Test Case Wizard – BWmap Allocations Definition

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Each test case includes one or more of the following steps:

 Ranging
 OMCI Port assignment
 Alloc-ID assignment
 MIB reset
 MIB upload
 OMCI messages
 Additional PLOAM messages
 Downstream traffic generation
In addition, each test case may include an optional Validation test to provide Pass/Fail
indications for the test case
Via the wizard the user may configure the following parameters:
 Delimiter value – selection of one of the five 16-bit delimiter values, or the 20-
bit delimiter value, defined in G.984.3 section 9.2.3.1
 ONU-ID to be assigned
 BWmap Start Time and Stop Time fields for the default Alloc-ID
 Flag settings for the default Alloc-ID (Send PLOAMu, Use FEC, Send DBRu)
 Minimal delay between the downstream PLOAM messages (range of 125
microseconds to 500 milliseconds)
 OMCI Port ID
 Alloc-IDs to be assigned (in addition to the default Alloc-ID)
 BWmap Start Time and Stop Time fields for each of the additional Alloc-IDs
 Flag settings for each of the assigned Alloc-IDs (Send PLOAMu, Use FEC,
Send DBRu)
 Downstream OMCI messages for injection into the ONU, for standard and
customized (vendor-specific) MEs
 For each Ethernet traffic flow, set the source and destination MAC addresses,
P-bits, VLAN IDs, source and destination IP addresses, Port ID
 The traffic rate for each Ethernet traffic flow
 Downstream traffic from pre-recorded PCAP files

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5.3 OMCI Playback

GPON Xpert allows export of analyzed OMCI messages to an external file. The OLT
Emulator can use this file to generate OMCI messages for the purpose of playback of
captured OMCI messages. This capability is required for the following purposes:
 Troubleshooting of OMCI issues when testing an ONU stand-alone
 Verification of the correction of OMCI interoperability issues without
requiring the OLT
The user also has the option to edit the file for modifying the contents of some of the
captured OMCI messages. The file provides the user with the full flexibility for
modifying any byte in any of the messages.
5.4 Built-in Traffic Generation Option

The GPON Xpert OLT emulator has the option for a software-based traffic generator,
with scripts for each of the relevant predefined and user-defined test cases.
In each test case, as soon as the ONU's OMCI configurations are done, the GPON
Xpert application automatically launches the traffic generator with the relevant
scripts. The traffic generator serves for two purposes:
1. Generation of the upstream traffic with the relevant traffic streams and protocols
(Ethernet, IP, IGMP etc.).
2. Sniffing of the downstream traffic and saving it into PCAP files – separate files
for each test case – to allow the user to verify the correctness of the downstream
traffic streams.
5.5 Automated ONU Testing Solution

The GPON Xpert OLT emulator has an optional automated ONU test solution – the
Automated Test Manager - which allows the user to run multiple tests in a sequence.
With this solution, the user can run a sequence of tests in the following process:
1. The user selects the test cases to run.
2. The user clicks a button to initiate the test sequence execution.
3. The Automated Test Manager executes the tests and provides real-time indications
about their results, based on the Validation test results.
4. When a test case is completed it automatically generates an HTML report based
on a predefined report template.
5. After a test case is completed, the Automated Test Manager automatically starts
the next test case in the list.

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6. If the test involves traffic generation, it automatically configures the built-in

traffic generator and initiates its operation when required by the test.
The Automated Test Manager accepts scripts for running the tests in a CSV file, and
TraceSpan provides the file with the scripts for the predefined BBF IR-247 test cases.
The user may also add user-defined tests to the file for running them in an automated
sequence.

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6 Data Export
GPON Xpert provides several options for exporting the analyzed data:
 Exporting the raw data contents of header frames and OMCI messages to CSV
files.
 Exporting of the captured upper layer data to a PCAP file. The data can be
saved or streamed to the computer's Ethernet network port (NIC) for analysis
by an external traffic analyzer.
 Exporting the messages and diagrams to an HTML file, as detailed in the
HTML Report section below.
 Exporting the messages to XML files, including all the frame and message
details.
 Exporting the OMCI MEs and their attributes to an XML file, including the
attribute values in both functional (parsed) and hexadecimal formats
 Export of Validation test results to an XML file.
6.1 Data Forwarding to Network Port

The upper layer data captured on the PON may be streamed to the computer's
Ethernet network port (NIC) for analysis by an external traffic analyzer.
Streaming can be done both in real-time during the capture as well as in off-line while
analyzing the data after the capture.
6.2 HTML Report

Selected information from the analysis files may be exported to an HTML report and
viewed offline by any standard PC using an Internet browser. The HTML report has a
graphical user interface similar to that of the software application.
The GPON Xpert software application includes a wizard for generation of the report.
By the default the report includes the GPON network topology, and allows adding the
following information to be included in the HTML report:
 GPON frame contents, including PLOAM messages, and GEM headers
 OMCI messages
 Upper layer messages
 Triggers
 Validation test results
 Events for every one of the selected network elements and protocols

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 OMCI diagrams and ME attributes

 VLAN Routing diagrams
 Performance monitoring graphs
 DBA summary
7 Remote Control and Automated Testing

7.1 Remote Control
GPON Xpert's software runs on standard Windows operating system. This enables
remote control of the GPON Xpert using one of two options:
 If GPON Xpert and the user are in the same network domain, using Windows
built-in Remote Desktop Connection software.
 If the user is in a different domain, remote control may be done using any
standard off-the-shelf remote access software.
7.2 Automated Testing and CLI Commands

GPON Xpert may be operated from a Command Line Interface, to allow its
integration in an automated testing environment. The CLI command may be used for
both the analyzer and OLT emulator functionalities.
Along with the GPON Xpert software TraceSpan provides the Command Line
Wizard, a software tool for easy creation of test schemes for the automated test by
generation of the appropriate CLI commands for these test schemes.
GPON Xpert has been integrated successfully with a variety of different third-party
test automaton systems.

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8 Graphical User Interface

GPON Xpert has a GUI based software application. Its main indications and displays
are detailed in the following paragraphs.
8.1 Network Topology Representation

GPON Xpert presents the GPON network elements, as well as the upper layer
protocols, in a graphical way. The represented elements include the OLT,
ONUs/ONTs, T-CONTs, GEM Ports, OMCI instances and OMCI MEs.
The graphic representation is a hierarchical tree topology, so that every T-CONT
appears under the ONU to which it belongs, every GEM Port appears under the T-
CONT to which it belongs and so on.
The network topology also shows which upper layer protocols are transmitted under
every ONU and under every GEM Port, and thus allows direct correlation of the
services with the customer's ONUs and GEM Ports. Right clicking on any node
allows viewing of the protocol messages under that node including scrolling up and
down the protocol stack.
This is one of the advantages of the upper layer analysis, which analyzes the upper
layer protocols in the same application as the GPON protocols.
GPON Xpert Typical Screen View

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8.2 Customer Identification on the Network Tree

GPON Xpert includes means to search and identify an ONU or a GEM Port on the
network tree representation. Searching may be done by one of the following criteria:
 The customer’s IP address, MAC address, and/or VLAN ID
 The ONU's S/N (for ONUs that completed Ranging during the capture)
The ability to search by the IP address, MAC address, or VLAN ID is available thanks
to its upper layer analysis, which analyzes the upper layer protocols in the same
application as the GPON protocols.
8.3 Color-Coded Graphical Representation

Each element on the network topology representation is color-coded to indicate any
events related to it. As an example, an element colored green indicates no events, and
one colored yellow indicates a warning event related to a certain message transmitted
to or from it.
8.4 Data Details

GPON Xpert provides information for messages regarding the data fields and
associated values exchanged between the OLT and the ONUs/ONTs. It displays the
raw data of these messages as well as parsing of their values.
The messages are displayed simultaneously for the downstream and upstream in the
order in which they were transmitted. Among others, these messages include all the
upstream and downstream PLOAM messages and OMCI messages. GPON Xpert
clearly displays the value of all the frame fields of these messages as defined in the
G.984.3 standard. It displays the BWmaps for all the T-CONTs based on the relevant
messages.

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9 Environmental Conditions
 Temperature: 0°- 40°C (32°-104°F)
 Humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing
 EMC: FCC 47CFR Part 15, Subpart B, Class A, EN 61326-1, Class A
 Safety: IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1
TraceSpan™ Communications Contact Information
E-mail: info@tracespan.com
Web: www.tracespan.com

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GPON Xpert™ Product Description

© 2002 – 2021 TraceSpan™ Communications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

© 2002 – 2021 TraceSpan™ Communications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

5.1 Predefined Test Cases.............................................................................................. 27

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1.1 Main Features and Capabilities

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2 Supported Protocols and Standards

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2.1 Upper Layer Protocols

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GPON Xpert PCI Express Card

3.1.1 Optical Interfaces

3.2 Optical Adaptor Specifications

GPON Xpert Optical Adaptor

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3.2.2 Optical Interfaces

3.2.3 Optical Attenuation on the Line

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3.3 Connection Modes

GPON Xpert Serial Connection at the OLT Side

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GPON Xpert Serial Connection at the ONU Side

GPON Xpert Parallel Connection at the OLT Side

© 2002 – 2021 TraceSpan™ Communications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

3.3.1 Validating Connectivity

Meaning Both the downstream Only downstream is Both downstream

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4 Data Capture and Analysis

4.2.1 Recording Filters

4.2.2 Analysis Filters

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4.2.3 Viewing Filters

4.3 GTC and GEM Layer Analysis

4.3.1 Time Stamp for all the Messages

4.3.2 AES Encryption Analysis

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4.3.3 FEC Analysis

4.4 OMCI Analysis

4.4.1 Baseline and Extended Messages

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4.4.2 OMCI ME List and Attributes

GPON Xpert OMCI ME Attributes View

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4.4.3 OMCI Relations Diagram

GPON Xpert OMCI Relations Diagram

4.4.4 Partial OMCI Relations Diagram

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4.4.5 Definition of Custom Managed Entities

4.4.6 VLAN Routing

GPON Xpert VLAN Routing Diagram

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4.5 ONU Comparison

GPON Xpert ONU Comparison Results

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4.6 Upper Layer Analysis

GPON Xpert Upper Layer Protocol View (IP Layer Shown)

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4.7 Alarms and Events

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4.9 DBA Analysis

4.9.1 Online Graphs

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