Choose Z1608 Edun for Terabit Ethernet Testing

Z1608 Edun delivers ease-of-use, performance and flexibility for developers working on terabit Ethernet networking solutions in a scalable, lab-friendly form factor.

The Z1608 Edun supports 1.6TE, 800GE, 400GE, 200GE and 100GE Ethernet speeds – using both 224G and 112G SerDes – making it an essential tool for validating the performance of next-gen AI devices, switches, NICs, transceivers, and cables. With its OSFP-1600 interface, it supports both optical and copper media, offering broad compatibility and deployment flexibility.

The Z1608 Edun builds on Teledyne LeCroy’s legacy of innovation in Ethernet testing. Leveraging the intuitive XenaManager and the powerful Python-based Xena OpenAutomation (XOA) software, users can easily conduct performance, QA, functional, and benchmark testing. The platform supports the classic RFC test suites such as RFC2544 and RFC2889, as well as Ultra Ethernet Compliance testing.

With the Z1608 Edun, Teledyne LeCroy continues to lead the way in enabling the future of high-speed Ethernet. Its compact form factor and broad compatibility make it an indispensable tool for Ethernet developers pushing the boundaries of speed and reliability.

Four Test Scenarios for Terabit Ethernet

1. Silicon Chip Testing

Testing a new semiconductor device for terabit Ethernet starts at Layer 1. Once the basic bring-up tests are passed it is time for signal integrity tests. The silicon is tested on a test PCB which might only have SMA or other high speed RF connectors, instead of a full transceiver.

Using PRBS, it is possible to verify the overall BER performance of a device. However, to verify the functionality of each sub-module – like FEC, PCS lane distribution and alignment – it necessary to test these individually. This can be done by deliberately inserting specific errors, such as FEC symbol errors, and check that the device handles these situations correctly.

Here is an example showing the Xena Z1608 Edun traffic generator being used with an OSFP-to-SMA connector for testing of a high-speed chip.

When the chip is mounted with a PHY it is important to test and tune the C2M equalizers and the CMIS-LT.

In addition to the Layer 1 testing, it is important to verify the switch’s Layer 2 performance e.g. frame forwarding, MAC address learning, latency, jitter, VLANs, and QoS.

RFC2544 and RFC2889 are good starting points for benchmarking. Both are available as test suites for all Teledyne LeCroy traffic generators.

2. Cable & Transceiver Testing

Proper testing of both DACs, active cables, and various types of optical transceivers is becoming increasingly important as speeds rise to 224G per lane.

While active cables can extend the reach of passive DACs, they also include equalizers that must be tuned to optimize the BER at various speeds and lengths.

While active cables can extend the reach of passive DACs, they also include equalizers that must be tuned to optimize the BER at various speeds and lengths. Similarly, optical transceivers – whether LPOs (Linear Pluggable Optics) or LROs (Linear Receiver Optics) – rely on host-side equalization to compensate for signal degradation over longer distances. These optics typically do not include DSPs, making the tuning of equalizers in the host PHY even more critical.

Manual equalization tuning can be slow and tedious, requiring hours of testing to find the right tap settings for each link configuration, whether it’s copper or optical.

That’s why Teledyne LeCroy has developed automated test sequences that quickly and efficiently run equalizer tests on optics and active cables. Using XOA, the equalizers are tuned via the CMIS interface, streamlining the process and reducing manual effort.

Opposite you can see a typical example of such a test using two Z1608 Edun traffic generators. The test is typically done in one direction at a time using one traffic generator to adjust the equalizer and generate PRBS and the other traffic generator to calculate the BER.

Learn more here.

3. Network Equipment Testing

Verifying the Layer 1-3 functionality of switches and NICs is critical for Network Equipment Manufacturers (NEMs) developing solutions supporting 1.6Tbps.

However, emulating realistic traffic patterns and stress conditions – at wire speed! – is difficult to do cost-effectively without building massive test networks.

That’s why traffic generators like the Z1600 Edun are indispensable for validating functionality, performance and multi-vendor interoperability with minimum network building.

For example here is the commonly-used “snake test”, where all ports on a switch are tested using two traffic generators as shown opposite.

4. Data Center Testing

All the previously discussed components come together in large data centers, where the increase in per-port speed plays a key role in boosting overall network capacity and efficiency.

As operators gradually upgrade their infrastructure to 1.6Tbps Ethernet, interoperability with existing equipment becomes essential. Thorough testing before deployment allows potential performance issues to be identified and resolved in a controlled environment, reducing the risk of disruptions in live networks.

Troubleshooting can be complex, with possible root causes including faulty cables, transceivers, network elements, or configuration errors.

Teledyne LeCroy traffic generators and analyzers are designed to address these challenges. They enable comprehensive testing of high-speed links, from verifying Layer 1 signal integrity and link training to validating Layer 2/3 protocol functionality.

This lets data center operators assess interoperability, ensure standards compliance, and fine-tune system performance – before going live.

Whether for development, qualification, or troubleshooting, Teledyne LeCroy solutions provide the visibility and precision needed to confidently deploy next-generation Ethernet technologies.

Upgrading to 224G? Read this White Paper!

Like some help accelerating from 800G to 1.6T?

With AI and ML workloads driving unprecedented demand for faster, more efficient data center interconnects, the transition from 800GE to 1.6TE is coming sooner than most think.

This White Paper, “800GE vs 1.6TE: Upgrading from 112G to 224G SerDes,” provides a deep technical dive into the technology powering this leap in Ethernet performance.

Explore how the shift to 224G SerDes enables 1.6Tbps Ethernet, and what it means for signal integrity, modulation formats, FEC, equalization, and transceiver design. Whether you’re designing silicon, testing active cables, or deploying next-gen data center infrastructure, this guide provides the insights and practical test strategies you need to stay ahead.

Learn how standards like IEEE 802.3dj and OIF-CEI-224G are shaping the future—and how Teledyne LeCroy’s Xena solutions are helping engineers validate, troubleshoot, and optimize at every layer.

Download the White Paper today and gain the clarity and confidence to navigate your 1.6T Ethernet journey.

Download the White Paper