Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!lll-winken!uunet!portal!cup.portal.com!David
From: David@cup.portal.com (Varian Associates Inc)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Re: general recommendations on tools
Message-ID: <17495@cup.portal.com>
Date: 22 Apr 89 22:29:36 GMT
References: <3763@phri.UUCP> <29783@bu-cs.BU.EDU>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 39

In article <29783@bu-cs.BU.EDU> kwe@buit13.bu.edu (Kent England) writes:
>
> 	You have leased lines and you want a BERT?  Again, not so
> useful.  I find that leased lines are either up or down.  It may be
> nice to verify that the error rate is such-and-such and beat on your
> carrier, but that is already a losing game.  They won't do anything
> until the line is really dead.  Again, a little humor there  :-)

Strictly speaking, a breakout box that generates a "fox" test pattern could 
be considered a BERT, but it isn't very useful.  What BERT have you been 
using that has led you to this negative opinion?

For my purposes, a "real" BERT is something on the level of a TTC Fireberd 
6000.  A Fireberd will, in addition to simply telling you how many bit errors 
have occurred, perform a wide variety of frequency, clock, time, and jitter 
measurements.  Plus, the 6000 processes all of this raw data into analysis 
categories which are already in the language of common carrier test 
procedures, such as "errored seconds" and so forth.  One of the keys to 
getting good service from a common carrier is to be able to speak their 
language.

In my opinion, a Fireberd 6000 plus plug-in interfaces is somewhat overpriced 
at around 15K/ea, and probably can't be justified unless you have a 
substantial leased line network to maintain.  In my case, I purchased three 
units about 18 months ago; they have been invaluable in resolving difficult 
troubles and enhancing my reputation as a miracle worker.  :)  Plus, the 
units have been completely trouble-free.  There are probably other vendors 
who have equivalent capabilities, but I'd happily buy more 6000s if I ever 
need them.

So, to get back to what Mr. England said, I disagree.  My opinion is that 
BERTs are extremely useful tools in specific situations.  However, one 
caveat: like any other tool, it's performance is limited to the capability of 
the human operating it.

David McCord                                Senior Telecomm Network Analyst
David@cup.portal.com     415/424-5644       Varian Associates, Inc.

Disclaimer: The preceding are my personal opinions, not Varian's.