Ixia Software Release Notes
IxNetwork 9.05
Build Number: 9.05.2001.10 (April 22, 2020)



About This Release

IxOS and IxNetwork 9.05 introduces the new AresONE High Performance 4-port 400GE QSFP-DD fixed chassis. 
It delivers the world's highest traffic generation and protocol emulation scale and performance test solution for 400/200/100/50GE QSFP-DD interfaces.
AresONE High Performance is the only test solution that does not lose transmit stream capability and receive side measurement tracking and measurement capability 
due to fan-out to 2x200GE and 4x100GE. Even the 8x50GE per-port transmit and receive capacities vastly surpass the competitions

Application Compatibility

NOTE: When you are using one or more of the applications below on a single chassis configuration, please use the correct application versions so they align to a common version of IxOS.
Application IxNetwork 9.05
BPS Not Supported
HLTAPI 9.05
IxANVL Not Supported
IxChariot Not Supported
IxLoad Not Supported
IxOS 9.05
IxVM Not Supported
Licensing 5.20.0.43
Metronome 2.1.1
Wireshark 1.8.31920.3
In addition, current interoperability and compatibility coverage for IxNetwork 9.05 can also be retrieved using the on-line compatibility tool. Please contact Ixia for details.

User Authentication

Starting with version 8.10EA, users of IxNetwork applications are required to authenticate when starting the applications' user interfaces, using an e-mail based authentication mechanism. 
A login window is presented when a user starts IxNetwork and the user will need to enter the registered e-mail address and the associated password. 
 
First time users need to create a new account, which can be done online at login.ixiacom.com; 
this link is available on the login window. A new account can be used only after the user verifies the e-mail address by opening the link in the verification e-mail received from  "Ixia Identity". 
If the client machine running IxNetwork is offline, a token is required to sign in; the token is a binary file, that can be obtained by signing in at 
login.ixiacom.com from a computer with Internet access and downloading the Offline Authentication Token. 
 
Note: When signing in, or managing the account in a web browser, always confirm that you are doing so over a secure connection. Ixia does not ask for user name, password or other personal information via email. 
 
Privacy Matters: 
To improve the experience for customers and the quality of Ixia's products, data may be collected and stored by Ixia. 
This typically includes data about the product usage and environment (such as operating system, browser, language), and personal data such as user name, email and IP addresses. 
Only Ixia's IT, project managers and marketing worldwide will have access to this data. 
When you first sign in to either application, you will be asked to consent to such data collection and use, and to the data transfer to Ixia in the United States. 
You may withdraw your consent at any time and for any reason. Please refer to our privacy policy for more information and opt-out possibility (available at https://www.ixiacom.com/privacy-policy)

 

Licensing

IxNetwork requires that a license for its use be installed for each 
chassis used by IxNetwork. That license may be installed on each chassis or on a 
server on your network, referred to as the central license server.

For more information about the new IxLicensing system, please refer to the
"Ixia Licensing Management User Guide" provided with the Ixia software, or downloadable
from the Ixia web site: http://www.ixiacom.com/support-services/product-support/user-guides

You will be required to provide a login and password to enter this section of 
the web site. If you do not have the username and password, please forward your 
request to support@ixiacom.com.
 

Installation Notes

  

Prerequisites

As part of the IxNetwork installation, the installer installs Microsoft SQL Express and Microsoft .Net Framework on a client machine and Microsoft .Net Framework on a chassis. Windows client and chassis should have all the windows updates installed. If you experience any issue related to the installation of these prerequisites, please uninstall any existing versions, reboot, and reattempt installation.

IxNetwork Installation

IxNetwork has two components: The 'chassis' component needs to be installed on the Ixia windows chassis being used or when using a native IxOS chassis it is included in the IxOS install package. It is required to install IxOS before installing the IxNetwork 'chassis' component. The 'client' component needs to be installed on the user-provided Windows workstation where the IxNetwork GUI will be run. The Web Edition 'client' component can be deployed on VMware ESXi, KVM, Docker or directly on a Native IxOS chassis.

IxNetwork Download from Ixia Website

IxNetwork software is available either on a DVD-ROM or as a download from the Ixia website. 1. Download IxNetwork software from the Ixia website to an Ixia chassis or client PC. Double-click on the file from within Windows Explorer. 2. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the installer. NOTE: If you are upgrading from a DVD-ROM, the installer will be launched automatically. The files on the DVD-ROM will be the same files as the ones unzipped by the above process.

Chassis Installation Requirements

When installing IxNetwork 9.05 + on a chassis, a minimum of 4GB of installed RAM and 30GB of free disk space is required. If your chassis does not meet these requirements, please contact Customer Support at support@ixiacom.com or 1-877-FOR-IXIA about appropriate upgrades. NOTE: When installing from the DVD, some virus scanning configurations present a malicious code alert during the execution of the Windows autorun feature. If this occurs, right-click the DVD-ROM drive icon in Explorer and 'Explore' the DVD. At the root of the DVD, double-click on the index.htm file. NOTE: IxNetwork installs the Ixia Stat Engine component. This component is shared by other Ixia applications. It can be manually uninstalled from the target machine by using the Windows Add/Remove Programs applet.

Operating System Support

The following operating systems are supported on the chassis - Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit - Windows 8.1 Enterprise 64-bit (only for Ixia Virtual Chassis) - Windows 10 Pro 64-bit - CentOS 7 64-bit (only for Ixia Linux Chassis) For other foreign language support, please change the default to US English. Note: Regardless of configured OS language, the keyboard must be configured for US English.

Chassis Installation Notes

1. Install the required IxOS version. 2. Install IxNetwork, and the IxNetwork installer will automatically install the chassis component. The client component of IxNetwork cannot be installed on the Ixia Windows chassis. 3. If the required IxOS was already installed and running, restart IxServer.

Client Installation Requirements

IxNetwork 9.05+ requires the user workstation to have the following minimum system requirements. It is recommended to use the 'next higher' requirement for improved performance. IxNetwork application is qualified for running up to 7 days. It is recommended to restart the application after 7 days for consistent operation.

System Requirements

Ixia Configuration Per User System Requirements
Ports Flow Groups Flows CPU (# or cores) Memory (GB) HDD (GB) Operating System
Install Temporary Running
4 4 500 1 2 14GB 3GB 10GB 64 bit
8 8 4,000 2 2 14GB 3GB 20GB 64 bit
16 16 8,000 2 3 14GB 3GB 20GB 64 bit
32 32 16,000 2 4 14GB 3GB 20GB 64 bit
64 64 32,000 4 6 14GB 3GB 20GB 64 bit
128 16,000 4,000,000 4 8 14GB 3GB 30GB 64 bit
1200 16,000 4,000,000 12 24 14GB 3GB 40GB 64 bit
Platform Qualified no. of users
On chassis *
Ares One 2
Novus One Plus 2
XGS-SDL 4
XGS-HSL 8
Virtual Chassis ** 1
Off Chassis
Windows App Server 15
ESXi 6.0+/KVM V/Docker 15
* on chassis assumes only that same chassis is used in test. ** the VM resources must be increased with the per user specs Data storage must present local storage instead of NFS ~ 25 IOPS per user are needed at minimum (HDD max 4 users , SSD up to 15 users, 15+ NVME drive) A compatible Graphics Card must be present on the server Multi user support is directly dependent on the available hardware resources. The system must meet the required operating system requirements + per user requirements * no. of users. EX: If we want to run 4 lite users on a Windows 2019 server: Windows needs minimum 2 GB RAM + 4 users * 2 GB/user = 10 GB RAM is needed at a minimum.

Operating System Support

The following versions of Windows operating systems are supported on the client: - Windows 2019 Server Standard 64-bit - Windows 2016 Server Standard 64-bit - Windows 2012 Server R2 Standard 64-bit (*) - Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise 64-bit - Windows 8.1 Enterprise 32-bit and 64-bit (*) - Windows 7 SP1 Enterprise 32-bit and 64-bit - Windows 7 SP1 Professional 32-bit and 64-bit - Windows 7 SP1 Ultimate 32-bit and 64-bit (*) The following foreign languages are supported only on Windows 8.1 Enterprise and Windows 2012 Server R2 SP1 Standard: - Chinese (traditional and simplified) - Japanese For other foreign language support, please change the default to US English. Note: Regardless of configured OS language, the keyboard must be configured for US English. IxNetwork Low Level API library is supported on the following operating systems: - Microsoft Windows(OS as stated above) - Tcl 8.5 and 8.6, Perl 5.18, Python 2.7 and 3.6, Ruby 1.9.3 - CentOS 7 on x64 platform - Tcl 8.5 and 8.6, Perl 5.18, Python 2.7 and 3.6, Ruby 1.9.3 IxNetwork Low Level API library has been tried but is not officially supported, on the following operating systems/language version combination: - CentOS 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 on x64 platform - Tcl 8.5, Perl 5.18, Python 2.7, Ruby 1.9.3 - Arch Linux on x64 platform - Tcl 8.6, Perl 5.26, Python 3.7 - Free BSD 10.1 on x64 platform - Tcl 8.6, Perl 5.18, Python 2.7 - OS X Yosemite on x64 platform - Tcl 8.6, Perl 5.18, Python 2.7 - Windows 8.1/2012 - Ruby 1.8.7, Ruby 2.2.2 IxNetwork High Level API library is supported on the following operating systems: - Microsoft Windows(OS as stated above) - Tcl 8.5 and 8.6, Perl 5.24 and Python 2.7 and 3.6 - CentOS 7 on x64 platform - Tcl 8.5 and 8.6 , Perl 5.24 and Python 2.7 and 3.6

IxNetwork Web Edition

1. IxNetwork Web Edition supports IxNetwork web based user interface, QuickTest and API Browser. 2. IxNetwork Web Edition can be installed on VM (ESXi and KVM), Native IxOS chassis. 3. IxNetwork Web Edition software (OVA, QCOW2, Docker, and HSL package) are available as downloads from the Ixia website.
IxNetwork Web Edition OS Network Storage
ESXi OVA ESXi 6.0 Update 2 or ESXi 6.5 (64 bit only) VMXNET3 128 GB
KVM QCOW2 Ubuntu 18.04 LTS or CentOS 7.6.1810 (64 bit only) virtio 128 GB
Docker Ubuntu 18.04 LTS or CentOS 7.6.1810 (64 bit only) Promiscuous mode enabled 128 GB
Application IxNetwork Web Edition
Google Chrome 75 or newer
Mozilla Firefox 49 or newer
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 or newer
Microsoft Edge 44.17763.1.0 or newer
Apple Safari 12.1.1 or newer

IxNetwork Web Edition can be installed on VMWARE ESXI6.0, or ESXI6.5 via the provided OVA

1. Deploy IxNetwork Web Edition OVA directly on VMWARE ESXI server. 2. Start the deployed VM. 3. Get connected to the link displayed on the console screen (from the browser). 4. Log in with credentials username: admin and password: admin 5. To start the QuickTest session manually, click "New Test". 6. To start the IxNetwork API Server session manually, click "New API Server". 7. To start scripting, click "Download a client". 8. Make sure that all dependencies are installed before starting scripting. 9. Click on package downloads for the corresponding language. 10. Sample codes are given for each language and follow the steps.

IxNetwork Web Edition can be installed on KVM via the provided QCOW2 image

Note: IxNetwork Web Edition is supported on KVM with CentOS and Ubuntu Distributions. 1. Deploy QuickTest Web Edition QCOW2 in KVM/Virtual Machine Manager 2. Start the deployed VM. 3. Get connected to the link displayed in the console screen (from the browser). 4. Log in with credentials username: admin and password: admin 5. To start QuickTest session manually, click "New Test". 6. To start IxNetwork API Server session manually, click "New API Server". 7. To start scripting, click "Download a client". 8. Make sure that all dependencies are installed before starting scripting. 9. Click on package downloads for the corresponding language. 10. Sample codes are given for each language and follow the steps.

IxNetwork Web Edition can be deployed as a Docker container via the provided image

Note: IxNetwork Web Edition is supported as Docker container with CentOS and Ubuntu Distributions. 1. Copy the .tar file on the host 2. Make sure the interface has promiscous mode enabled 3. Load the image to docker: docker load -i </path/to/tar/file> 4. Create the macvlan bridge to be used by IxNetwork Web Edition: docker network create -d macvlan -o parent=<interface> --subnet <subnet> --gateway=<gateway> <bridge_name> 5. Deploy the IxNetwork Web Edition container using the following command: docker run --net <bridge name> \ --ip <container ip> \ --hostname <hostname> \ --name <container name> \ --privileged \ --restart=always \ --cap-add=SYS_ADMIN \ --cap-add=SYS_TIME \ --cap-add=NET_ADMIN \ --cap-add=SYS_PTRACE \ -i -d \ -v /sys/fs/cgroup:/sys/fs/cgroup \ -v /var/crash/=/var/crash \ -v <host configs location>:/root/.local/share/Ixia/sdmStreamManager/common \ -v <host results location>:/root/.local/share/Ixia/IxNetwork/data/result \ -v <host settingslocation>:/root/.local/share/IXIA/IxNetwork.Globals \ --tmpfs /run \ <image name> 6. Open up a browser and connect to the configured IP. 7. Log in with credentials username: admin and password: admin 8. To start QuickTest session manually, click "New Test". 9. To start IxNetwork API Server session manually, click "New API Server". 10. To start scripting, click "Download a client". 11. Make sure that all dependencies are installed before starting scripting. 12. Click on package downloads for corresponding language. 13. Sample codes are given for each language and follow the steps. * The ip parameter assigns a specific IP to the container ** Name and Hostname are optional parameters

IxNetwork Web Edition can be installed on HSL/SDL/AresONE/Novus ONE chassis

1. Connect to XGS12-HSL/XGS2-HSL/XGS12-SDL/XGS2-SDL/AresONE/Novus ONE chassis. 2. Log in with credentials username: admin and password: admin 3. Go to Administration - IxNetwork Web Edition screen. 4. Click on "Manual Updates" and point to IxNetwork Web Edition HSL package file. 5. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the installer.

IxNetwork Web Edition can be installed on VE Chassis

1. Connect to VE chassis. 2. Log in with credentials username: admin and password: admin 3. Click on the Install New Application button. 4. Click on "Browse" and point to the IxNetwork Web Edition package file. 5. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the installer. Notes: - The first time IxNetwork Web Edition is installed on the VE Chassis the installation will take longer due to the installation of dependencies - The VE Chassis virtual machine must be provisioned with at least 4 vCPUs / 8 GB RAM for the install to be complete, IxNetwork Web Edition will use half of the provisioned resources - The vdisk size will have to be increased to at least 40GB to make room for the test results - The disk drive performance can influence the application performance, having a faster drive will provide the best results

Display Requirements

Recommended screen resolution: 1920 x 1080 If a display device with high resolution is used, it is recommended to change the text size to 100% from the display settings of the operating system for best usability experience. For Microsoft Windows 10 operating system: It is recommended to update at least to Windows 10 April 2018 Update release for best usability experience.

Linux/UNIX Installation Notes

The binary Linux installer will hang indefinitely if being started from an account without root or administrative privileges or at least R(read)W(write)X(execute) permissions on the /opt folder. Support on Linux/UNIX operating systems is for Tcl 8.5 & 8.6, Perl, Python 2.7 & 3.6 or Ruby API only, there is no graphical user interface (GUI) provided. Versions of Linux/UNIX platforms other than the ones enumerated above may operate properly, but they are not officially supported.

Linux/UNIX Tcl Client Installation Notes

IxNetwork comes with Linux platforms dedicated installer, which has the TCL interpreter bundled. The installation instructions are described in the IxNetwork Help guide. IxNetwork also ships a Platform Independent installer (compressed tar) for Linux/UNIX platforms. Information about dependencies and installation instructions of this Platform Independent installer is as below. Dependencies: - TCL interpreter version 8.5 & 8.6 Instructions for installation and testing: 1. Download and copy the IxNetwork Platform Independent Client installer to the client machine with TCL interpreter version 8.5 & 8.6 2. Extract it with tar -zxvf command. For example: # tar -zxvf IxNetworkPITclClient[version].tar.gz 3. Start the TCL shell or wish console on the client system and execute the following commands: - lappend auto_path [directory where the compressed tar file was extracted to] - package req IxTclNetwork (this should return a version number) - ixNet connect [IxNetwork TCL Server address] (this should return ::ixNet::OK) If you are updating an existing installation, be sure to run the installer as the same user which initially installed the software. Always run the uninstaller prior to removing any files manually. If installing as root and the install location is a network-mounted file system, ensure root has write permission to the file system prior to starting the installer.

Linux/UNIX Python API Installation Notes

IxNetwork Linux/UNIX installer also delivers the Python API under the installation directory [install_dir]/ixia/ixnetwork/[version]/lib/PythonApi. User will need to manually install the IxNetwork.py file. Normally, the file will be installed to the standard location for third-party Python modules. This location varies by platform and by how Python was built/installed. On Linux/UNIX (and Mac OS X, which is also /UNIX-based), it also depends on whether the module distribution being installed is pure Python or contains extensions ("non-pure"): Platform Standard installation location Default value -------- ------------------------------ ------------- Linux/UNIX(pure) prefix/lib/pythonX.Y/site-packages /usr/local/lib/pythonX.Y/site-packages/IxNetwork Linux/UNIX(non-pure) exec-prefix/lib/pythonX.Y/site-packages /usr/local/lib/pythonX.Y/site-packages/IxNetworkTCL

Linux/UNIX Ruby API Installation Notes

IxNetwork Linux/UNIX installer also delivers the Ruby API under the installation directory [install_dir]/ixia/ixnetwork/[version]/lib/RubyApi. User will need to manually install the IxNetwork.rb file. Normally, the file will be installed to the standard location for third-party Ruby modules. This location varies by platform and by how Ruby was built/installed. User can also add in the script the location to the IxNetwork Ruby library $:.unshift '<the folder where IxNetwork.rb is>' require 'IxNetwork'

Linux/UNIX Perl API Installation Notes

IxNetwork Linux/UNIX installer also delivers the Perl API under the installation directory [install_dir]/ixia/ixnetwork/[version]/lib/PerlApi. User will need to manually install the IxNetwork.pl file. Normally, the file will be installed to the standard location for third-party Perl modules. This location varies by platform and by how Perl was built/installed. User can also add in the script the location to the IxNetwork Perl library use lib "<the folder where IxNetwork.pl is>"; use IxNetwork;

REST API Installation Notes

IxNetwork.exe process must be started with the following argument: -restPort [tcp port number] Optional arguments: -restOnAllInterfaces -restTrace Support for: GET, POST, PATCH, DELETE, OPTIONS methods Automation language of choice must support the above methods Base URL: http://localhost:<tcp rest port number>/api/v1/sessions/1/ixnetwork

Tcl/Perl/Python/Ruby/REST Support for Client Applications

IxNetwork Windows GUI client must be started in API Server mode. 

Tcl/Perl/Python/Ruby : 
IxNetwork.exe process must be started with the following argument: -tclPort {tcp port number}

REST:
IxNetwork.exe process must be started with the following argument: -restPort {tcp port number}
Optional arguments: -restOnAllInterfaces -restTrace
Support for: GET, POST, PATCH, DELETE, OPTIONS methods
Automation language of choice must support the above methods
Base URL: http://localhost:{tcp rest port number}/api/v1/sessions/1/ixnetwork

Please refer to the IxNetwork documentation for guidance on its usage.

How to Report Problems

Ixia Headquarters

+1 877 367 4942 - Toll-free North America
+1 818 871 1800 - Outside North America
+1.818.871.1805 - Fax
www.ixiacom.com/contact/info

Support

Global Support +1 818 595 2599

support@ixiacom.com

APAC Support +91 80 4939 6410

support@ixiacom.com

Australia +61-742434942

support@ixiacom.com

EMEA Support +40 21 301 5699

support-emea@ixiacom.com

Greater China Region

+400 898 0598

support-china@ixiacom.com

Hong Kong +852-30084465

support@ixiacom.com

India Office +91 80 4939 6410

support-india@ixiacom.com

Japan Head Office +81 3 5326 1980

support-japan@ixiacom.com

Korea Office +82 2 3461 0095

support-korea@ixiacom.com

Singapore Office +65-6215-7700

support@ixiacom.com

Taiwan (local toll-free number) 00801856991

support@ixiacom.com


Additional Documentation

Please refer to our website at http://support.ixiacom.com/support-services/product-support/user-guides.

You will be required to provide a login and password to enter this section of 
the web site. If you do not have the username and password, please forward your 
request to mailto:support@ixiacom.com.

What's New in IxNetwork

9.05 Features

AresONE QSFP-DD and AresONE QSFP-DD High Performance fixed chassis
IxNetwork now supports Pre2, Post2, and Post3 tap settings for AresONE QSFP-DD, AresONE QSFP-DD High Performance, and AresONE OSFP.
Added support for the new AresONE T400GP-4P-QDD, 4-port, 400GE high performance fixed chassis model with native QSFP-DD 400GE physical interfaces, with L1-3 support. Provides complete protocol coverage with very high scale performance protocol emulation for routing, switching and access protocols. (944-1178)
Support for the new Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) 4.0 has been added to all AresONE products. CMIS auto-detection of inserted CMIS 3.0 or 4.0 programmed transceivers has also been added.


Known Issue List

Native IxOS

Bug Number Notes
1529342 When restoring saved tap settings with different values per lane, the value of the first lane gets applied to all lanes. In order to update the lanes each with their custom settings, select a lane from the drop down just after the restoring the custom setting, and then press OK.

NewLoadModule

Bug Number Notes
1525899 Classic 802.1x emulation is not supported on AresONE-P.
1530127 Sometimes port can go to unresponsive state while starting protocols over L2VPN in a scaled scenario.
1536669 AresONE-HP - In large port configuration while starting traffic we may see some residual stats for a few moments.Workaround is to wait for some time or stopping traffic will result in proper stats.

QuickTest Web Edition

Bug Number Notes
1527755 When QuickTest run is in progress, if browser is refreshed QuickTest might show a message "Missing SRC/DST, Invalid Traffic". This message can be ignored as it does not affect the test run.

Routing/switching

Bug Number Notes
1531365 While running scaled config in 50G speed mode and decreasing the multiplier on the fly, for PIM stacks the ports can go to bad state.

Statistics

Bug Number Notes
1528357 The 'Fec Symbol Error Rate' and 'Fec Corrected bit Rate' values under "PCS Stats" may show the wrong value in IxNetwork. As a workaround, IxExplorer can be used to see these statistics. The values are correct in IxExplorer.

Traffic

Bug Number Notes
1526259 Traffic configurations might fail to apply if the minimum frame size required is larger than predefined configuration even though they used to work in EOF timestamp mode.
1536828 In order to perform re-convergence tests, use clear statistics ribbon button instead of clear cp/dp convergence stats.

Web Edition

Bug Number Notes
1531660 In IxNetwork WebUI, Port Summary and Per Port Stats may not be available if port speed mode is changed, reverted back and reconnected without clearing port ownership while traffic is running.
1536647 After the first install of the IxNetwork WebUI product, please go to the web platform administration page and manually restart the freshly installed IxNetwork WebUI application. Only after restarting the application you can use it properly.


Resolved Defect List