HS Series for Test Lab Automation

Overview
Overview
Benefits
Features
Resources
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Maximize Test Lab Efficiency and Performance

Test labs are challenged with the ever-changing landscape of Ethernet speeds, test tools, and interface types. NETSCOUT’s HS series for test lab automation can maximize efficiency in these diverse environments by supporting Ethernet speeds up to 400G and enabling the use lower speed test tools for higher speed testing through rate conversion and aggregation.

Benefits

Reduce Lab Downtime

Automating test lab network topology changes eliminates unnecessary delays caused by broken connectors, human error, and changing priorities.

Increase Utilization

The HS series enables far better utilization of test tools by supporting Ethernet speeds from 1G to 400G, using aggregation to utilize lower speed tools for higher speed test, and enabling sharing to lab infrastructure.

Better Testing

Test labs have unique requirements that are not well served by traditional networking infrastructure. The HS series is designed to address these requirements.

Maximize existing test tools for high-speed testing

Increase the lifespan of your test tools by using them for higher speed testing. The HS series supports seamless aggregation of lower speed tool ports for higher speed testing.

Isolated port mapping allows you to easily configure test scenarios that would otherwise require additional spending for new tool ports. Using the HS series, any lower speed tool ports can be used for higher speed testing.

HS Series Switch. Aggregation feature uses lower speed test tools for higher speed tests.

Features

Flexible Multi-Speed Configurations

Each port is configured independently and supports breakout modes for any testing needs requiring 1/10/25/40/50/100/200 or 400GbE.
Port Aggregation

Use aggregation with isolated port mapping to maximize usage of lower speed ports for higher speed testing.
Port Tapping

Software-controlled port tapping enables seamless diagnostics capability.
Cross Switch Links

Connect two or more HS series switches using aggregated Cross Switch Links for large, distributed test beds.
Spine-Leaf Configurations

Combine any NETSCOUT Test Automation switches into spine-leaf configurations controlled by TestStream Management Software.
Controlled by TestStream

TestStream software manages your lab infrastructure and provides instantaneous topology changes on your layer-1 infrastructure. Reserve lab resources and accesses your devices and applications with a single click using TestStream Lab Manager. TestStream’s CLI and REST API enable integration into your existing lab automation system.

Switch	Port Configuration	Maximum Port Count
Switch	Port Configuration	1 GbE	40/100 GbE	10/25/50 GbE	200 GbE	400 GbE
HS-3200	32 QSFP28	n/a	32	64*	n/a	n/a
HS-6400	64 QSFP28	64 copper 128 fiber*	64	128*	n/a	n/a
HS-3240	32 QSFP-DD	n/a	128*	128*	64*	32

* Using breakout cables

Flexible Multi-Speed Configurations

Each port is configured independently and supports breakout modes for any testing needs requiring 1/10/25/40/50/100/200 or 400GbE.

Switch	Port Configuration	Maximum Port Count
Switch	Port Configuration	1 GbE	40/100 GbE	10/25/50 GbE	200 GbE	400 GbE
HS-3200	32 QSFP28	n/a	32	64*	n/a	n/a
HS-6400	64 QSFP28	64 copper 128 fiber*	64	128*	n/a	n/a
HS-3240	32 QSFP-DD	n/a	128*	128*	64*	32

* Using breakout cables

Port Aggregation

Use aggregation with isolated port mapping to maximize usage of lower speed ports for higher speed testing.

Switch	Port Configuration	Maximum Port Count
Switch	Port Configuration	1 GbE	40/100 GbE	10/25/50 GbE	200 GbE	400 GbE
HS-3200	32 QSFP28	n/a	32	64*	n/a	n/a
HS-6400	64 QSFP28	64 copper 128 fiber*	64	128*	n/a	n/a
HS-3240	32 QSFP-DD	n/a	128*	128*	64*	32

* Using breakout cables

Port Tapping

Software-controlled port tapping enables seamless diagnostics capability.

Switch	Port Configuration	Maximum Port Count
Switch	Port Configuration	1 GbE	40/100 GbE	10/25/50 GbE	200 GbE	400 GbE
HS-3200	32 QSFP28	n/a	32	64*	n/a	n/a
HS-6400	64 QSFP28	64 copper 128 fiber*	64	128*	n/a	n/a
HS-3240	32 QSFP-DD	n/a	128*	128*	64*	32

* Using breakout cables

Cross Switch Links

Connect two or more HS series switches using aggregated Cross Switch Links for large, distributed test beds.

Switch	Port Configuration	Maximum Port Count
Switch	Port Configuration	1 GbE	40/100 GbE	10/25/50 GbE	200 GbE	400 GbE
HS-3200	32 QSFP28	n/a	32	64*	n/a	n/a
HS-6400	64 QSFP28	64 copper 128 fiber*	64	128*	n/a	n/a
HS-3240	32 QSFP-DD	n/a	128*	128*	64*	32

* Using breakout cables

Spine-Leaf Configurations

Combine any NETSCOUT Test Automation switches into spine-leaf configurations controlled by TestStream Management Software.

Switch	Port Configuration	Maximum Port Count
Switch	Port Configuration	1 GbE	40/100 GbE	10/25/50 GbE	200 GbE	400 GbE
HS-3200	32 QSFP28	n/a	32	64*	n/a	n/a
HS-6400	64 QSFP28	64 copper 128 fiber*	64	128*	n/a	n/a
HS-3240	32 QSFP-DD	n/a	128*	128*	64*	32

* Using breakout cables

Controlled by TestStream

TestStream software manages your lab infrastructure and provides instantaneous topology changes on your layer-1 infrastructure. Reserve lab resources and accesses your devices and applications with a single click using TestStream Lab Manager. TestStream’s CLI and REST API enable integration into your existing lab automation system.