EXFO announced the launch of the portable version of its iPro Intelligent Network Analysis Probe, which provides telecom, finance, security and IT professionals with a reliable, high-performance capture and data processing unit for 10/100 Mbit/s, 1 Gbit/s or 10 Gbit/s Ethernet networks.

With next-generation mobile network architectures such as LTE, field-testing teams must capture 100 to 1000 times more data than with legacy technologies. The widely deployed rack-mounted iPro probe has the power to capture all that detailed data from the live network, from all the interfaces required. However, when troubleshooting network issues, the needed detail may not be accessible due to lack of probe coverage in a remote analysis or 24/7/365 monitoring system. In such cases it is necessary for the engineer to travel on-site to capture the data from the specific part of the network that needs examination—which requires a portable capture device.

The new portable iPro retains all the power of its rack-mounted counterpart, including user-plane analysis with integrated DPI, in a convenient travel-friendly format that meets airplane carry-on regulations. This enables field-testing teams to easily go to the test site, capture up to 10 Gbit/s of data and bring them back to the office for analysis.

"There is an increasing demand from both network equipment manufacturers (NEM) and mobile network operators (MNO) for a portable device capable of line-rate IP packet capture on 1G and 10G Ethernet links," said Matti Palomäki, Vice-President of EXFO's Wireless Division. "With the new portable iPro, NEM and MNO field support technicians get the power of the previously available rack-mounted version, in a format that enables them to easily perform on-site data acquisitions and troubleshooting."