Exfo EX1 Gigabit Ethernet Broadband Tester/Verifier

Exfo EX1 Gigabit Ethernet Broadband Tester/Verifier

The EX1 is an industry first: a pocket-sized tester that validates bandwidth speed up to full line rate Gigabit Ethernet, emulates GPON ONT, fully tests residential WiFi and monitors both residential and business quality of experience.

The EX1, paired with an Android or iOS smart device is a one-of-a-kind Ethernet, GPON a, XGS-PON b and WiFi tester designed to qualify fiber to the home (FTTH) and business customers’ quality of experience (QoE). The pocket-sized solution enables communication service providers and MSOs to validate full line rate Gigabit Ethernet as well as WiFi services to their subscribers. The advantage of the EX1 is three-fold: it includes a built-in dedicated WiFi chipset as well as utilizes the world-leading Speedtest by Ookla algorithm, giving repeatable and reliable metrics, every time. The Ethernet speed test can be performed on electrical (RJ45), optical (SFP), wireless (WiFi 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n), GPON and XGS‑PON interfaces, making the EX1 the ideal tool to generate birth certificates for multiple services during its provisioning phase. Moreover, the field technician can easily execute a WiFi channel map analysis (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and, as a result, determine the best placement for the access point at the customer premises. Service providers can also qualify 1GE optical connections based on SFP transceivers that are typically deployed in installations for business customers. The EX1 is therefore a must-have tool for troubleshooting activities that are expedited with the use of its unique graphical views and features enabled by the WiFi channel map analysis function. The EX1 does not require a screen. Instead, its ultra-intuitive application runs directly on a field technician’s smart device, displaying all tasks performed, including connection, setup, result gathering, report generation and cloud-enabled firmware upgrades.

GIGABIT ETHERNET AND WiFi TESTING

Internet service providers (ISPs) and multiple system operators (MSOs) often receive calls and complaints related to the speed and the latency measured by their customers. These complaints are often unresolved and result in substantial customer churn. Customer expectations are not always met, and service providers are not necessarily equipped with the right tools to define expectations with customers when deploying new services. The EX1 was designed with this in mind and allows installers to provide a complete birth certificate for newly deployed services.

In summary, by using the EX1 for both wired and wireless installations, the field techs can gain complete insight on how to remedy any given situation. They can move the router, change the WiFi channels or add extenders. The EX1 guarantees the job is done right the first time, drastically reducing any future WiFi-related complaints.