Paragon-X Release Notes - 20x

Paragon-X
Latest Software Release (20x)
Contents
1 Software Release Overview .......................................................................................... 3
2 Features and Benefits ................................................................................................... 4
3 Enhancements to Existing Options – Master/Slave Emulation........................................ 5
3.1 Configure DSCP value ..................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Additional information retrieval via remote commands ............................................... 5
3.3 Simplified filtering for multicast/hybrid impairments & master capture ...................... 6
4 Enhancements to Base Product .................................................................................... 7
4.1 Automatic and GUI-controlled reboot ........................................................................... 7
4.2 Loss of Signal Graphical Indication ................................................................................. 7
5 Enhancements to CAT................................................................................................... 9
5.1 Additional measurement statistics ................................................................................ 9
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1 Software Release Overview
Release 20X (X.10.31) adds the following features to Paragon-X and CAT1:
 To check the current software version installed, select Help -> About Paragon Remote
Client on the Paragon-X GUI.
SUS (Software Upgrade Service)
Enhancements to existing options
Master/Slave Emulation:
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Base product enhancements
Automatic and GUI-controlled Reboot
Configure DSCP Priority Field
Enhanced information retrieval via
remote commands
Simplified filtering for
multicast/hybrid impairments &
master capture
Loss of Signal Graphical Indication
Defect Fixes
CAT:

1
Additional statistics available
across measurements
This release includes enhancements to the CAT. The CAT accompanies Paragon-X and is used to
display/present graphical results such as Wander and Time Error and to calculate metrics such as
MTIE/TDEV for further analysis.
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2 Features and Benefits
Paragon-X
Benefit
Configure DSCP value
Flexibility allows test for user environments
requiring specific or varying priority for PTP
traffic
Additional information retrieval via
remote commands
Increases level of visibility achievable
through scripting
Simplified filtering for multicast/hybrid
impairments & master capture
Enhanced useability in setting filters for
MSE, assisting both manual and scripted
operation
Automatic and GUI-controlled Reboot
Those using P-X from separate
rooms/buildings do not have to go to unit
to reboot – saving time and effort.
LOS Graphical Indication
User quickly sees, and avoids using,
compromised measurement data
CAT
Benefit
Additional Measurement Statistics
Stats such as max/min, avg. allow fast
initial results interpretation
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3 Enhancements to Existing Options – Master/Slave Emulation
3.1 Configure DSCP value
To emulate certain real-world conditions, it may be desirable to transmit PTP traffic of a
defined class, as indicated by the Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) within the DS Field
of the IPv4 header (where appropriate).
Therefore, in Master Slave Emulation mode, it is now possible to configure this setting by
selecting Master/Slave Emulation->Configure->Master->Common Header
The IP Diff Services Field allows the user to define the desired value.
Default value is 0xb8, the value for Expedited Forwarding. Within the range of appropriate
values, users can freely define any other value as required for their test purposes.
3.2 Additional information retrieval via remote commands
To assist users in developing scripts for Paragon-X functions, there are now additional status
indicators included for retrieval via remote commands, as follows:
UnicastSlaveStatus: Count, Status, Address, SyncRate, AnnounceRate, DelRespRate
MulticastSlaveStatus: Count, Status, Address, PortId
MasterSlave Slave ConnectedMasterStatus
MasterSlave Slave ConnectedMasterAddress
Additional information on all new remote commands is available in the Remote Control
Reference Manual installed with this release.
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3.3 Simplified filtering for multicast/hybrid impairments & master capture
To allow users to reduce setup time, automatic filter settings in Master/Slave Emulation mode
have now been extended to cover multicast and hybrid unicast/multicast testing (both for
setting impairments, and capturing at the Paragon-X emulated master).
Filter settings can be viewed in Add Impairments and Delay->Configuration->Flow Filter
Paragon-X SW will automatically detect multicast and/or unicast slaves in the connected
network, and display in the Slave: list. The user can define impairments to be on a specific
slave by selecting from the populated list and pressing ‘Set’, or for multicast operation can
choose the wildcard setting ‘Any multicast slave’.
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4 Enhancements to Base Product
4.1 Automatic and GUI-controlled reboot
To facilitate the process of restarting the Paragon-X unit during a SW/FW update, from this
release the unit will now automatically reboot at the appropriate time, avoiding the need to
do this manually.
Please note that this will take effect when upgrading from Release 20X to future releases.
In addition, users will have the option to reboot a connected unit from the GUI if desired, by
selecting Instrument(s)->Restart
4.2 Loss of Signal Graphical Indication
To assist the user in understanding and adjusting for any effects of reference or measurement
signals being lost during testing, these are clearly indicated on the Paragon-X GUI, and in CAT.
Loss of Reference Signal (based on reference selection in Setup Interfaces) is indicated by a
red overlay on measurement graphs.
Loss of Measured Signal (based on required measurements for selected tests) is indicated by
an orange overlay on the appropriate graph.
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5 Enhancements to CAT
5.1 Additional measurement statistics
To improve the scope and speed of analysis, measurement statistics (mean, max, min, and
range of values, plus packet rate and count where appropriate) are now displayed in ‘single
view’ (if displaying multiple graphs, single-view is entered by double-clicking on the chosen
measurement graph) for the following graphs:
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Time Error
Avg Time Error
dTE LF
dTE HF
PDV
Packet TIE
Packet FFO
1pps Time Error
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Appendix A: Software Advisory Notes

Wireshark version: use version 1.4.9 supplied on Paragon-X installation CD. Later
versions may appear to work but could cause problems in some applications.

In OAM operating mode, the front-panel 10MHz reference output signal is unavailable.
Use a BNC T-piece to tap the input reference clock to the Paragon-X.

In PTP (1588) operating mode, multi-flow replay, generating a variable delay latency
profile with magnitude >9,000us may generate unintended sequence errors.

Port 2 link must be up (Rx connection in place to port 1 Tx) in order to allow Port 2 Tx
to function in Packet Generation mode.

Script recorder does not support manual setting of filters through ‘flow filter’ in
through mode operation. This can be addressed by saving filter settings and then
recalling the saved settings in your script.
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Calnex Solutions Ltd
Herkimer House
Mill Road Enterprise Park
Linlithgow
West Lothian EH49 7SF
Scotland, United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0) 1506 671 416
email: [email protected]
Document SUS020 v0.1 Aug-15
calnexsol.com
All information subject to change, without notice