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EXFO launches all-in-one Tier 1 and Tier 2 fiber certifier


QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, January 24, 2017 — EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFOTSX: EXF) launched the FTBx-940/945, an optical loss test set (OLTS) optimized for Tier 1 fiber certification in data centers and enterprise networks. The FTBx-940/945 OLTS is a test module housed in the FTB-2 platforms, which can also accommodate an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) to provide an all-in-one test set for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 certification.

When characterizing high volumes of fiber links  in data centers, technicians need to be as fast and accurate as possible to minimize testing time and operating expenses. A pass/fail diagnostic based on total insertion loss (IL), optical reflection loss (ORL) and fiber length using an OLTS usually provides the fastest characterization. However, for Tier 2 testing i.e., when it is time to troubleshoot a failed link or to test reflectance (increasingly important with 100G migration), the use of an OTDR is recommended. Having both the OLTS and the OTDR in the same test set is a major time saver. This also helps technicians in choosing the most appropriate tester for each situation.

“Knowing that best practices in data centers require Tier 1 and Tier 2 testing, we wanted to provide our clients with one complete, practical solution that will make them save time and money while optimizing the quality of their infrastructure,” said Stéphane Chabot, EXFO’s Vice-President, Test and Measurement. “This new test solution is backed by the highest performance standards in the industry and by EXFO’s trademark built-in intelligence for smart diagnostics.”

The all-in-one OLTS and OTDR combo is also available on EXFO’s FTB-1 platforms (click here for details: TK1-V2). Simultaneously, EXFO also launched the FTBx-940/945 Telco OLTS, which is best suited for field applications.

See the FTBx-940/945 OLTS in action at the BICSI Winter Speed Challenge. EXFO will be at booth 1003, January 22-26 in Tampa, FL. For more information, visit EXFO.com/FTBx-940-945.

About EXFO

EXFO develops smarter network test, data and analytics solutions for the world’s leading communications service providers, network equipment manufacturers and web-scale companies. Since 1985, we’ve worked side by side with our clients in the lab, field, data center, boardroom and beyond to pioneer essential technology and methods for each phase of the network lifecycle. Our portfolio of test orchestration and real-time 3D analytics solutions turn complex into simple and deliver business-critical insights from the network, service and subscriber dimensions. Most importantly, we help our clients flourish in a rapidly transforming industry where “good enough” testing and data analytics just isn’t good enough anymore—it never was for us, anyway. For more information, visit EXFO.com and follow us on the EXFO Blog.

Specification sheets:

FTBx-940/945 OLTS
TK1-V2
FTBx-940/945 Telco OLTS