Ixia and Spirent have a larger set of ready-made tests for networking environments than BreakingPoint Systems. For example, if you want to test the link state of the database in a BGP router, Ixia has a canned solution. You'd have to construct this test on your own with BreakingPoint. Ixia also has tests for the Java API in Cisco's CallManager. It's unlikely such a test could be built in the BPS-1000.
Spirent's forte is blasting bits and blocks of bits at a device. It has a wide range of interface types. However, the company lacks a strong suite of tests for layers 4 through 7. And its security test appliance only generates threatening traffic. You need additional equipment to add HTTP and IM traffic at the same time. The BPS-1000 can launch attacks with HTTP and IM traffic in the mix.
The upshot? If you're focusing on security testing, the BPS-1000 is likely to be your best buy. You can use it for network and application testing as well, but at present its competitors offer a better range of tests and more customization at layers 2 and 3.
The unit we tested starts at $185,000. Maintenance adds 20% annually for a grand total of $220,000 in the first year. You'll need that maintenance contract to get new updates of security attacks.
Phil Hippensteel is an assistant professor of information systems at Penn State University and an industry consultant. Write to him at [email protected].
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