Results , Insights and Best Practices from IIC Testbeds : Time-Sensitive Networking Testbed
are actively collaborating with the IIRA authors . The findings from the testbed are reflected in the requirements , key functions and capabilities established as a part of the connectivity section in v1.8 of the IIRA . Future testbed phases will involve expansion beyond the connectivity at the edge work happening right now .
Specialized resources are required within the TSN Testbed to manage very precise delivery of information and the synchronization of devices . For example , Ixia joined the testbed — bringing high-quality testing equipment to validate that things work as expected . Ixia develops specialized products for the TSN technology marketplace . In turn , the TSN Testbed helps Ixia develop a market and show the value of its products . In addition , Ixia participates in the plugfests and give the participants valuable feedback on product performance .
The testbed is not actively recruiting partners , but interested companies are invited to learn about it and join . It welcomes partners who can identify a mutual benefit and have the resources available to participate . To get the full benefit out of the testbed , participants should bring equipment – remember , this is an interoperability testbed . The objective is to bring in technology and equipment to determine how well it interoperates with other people ’ s devices , with infrastructure and with the general TSN concept .
9 . CHALLENGES AND SURPRISES
With a new technology , it is challenging to figure out why a certain behavior is happening and how to make adjustments . In the spring of 2016 , there was a point when the devices were not doing what they were supposed . Their discovery efforts were hindered by the fact that they lacked feedback on their performance . When the testbed team brought Ixia into the plugfest , change was instant and dramatic . With Ixia , the testbed had a resource that gave feedback into why something wasn ’ t working , where an improvement could be made and why behavior was not occurring as expected .
Today , the testbed team is getting the base technology working and interoperable . The next step will be application protocols . One of the big surprises is the understanding that this testbed could scale rather quickly because of the IIC ecosystem . The testbed team grew at least 50 % in 2016 and that growth is expected to continue . As they add more participants , and as they scale the concept , there will be challenges along the way . A year from now , Paul Didier expects to revisit this conversation to reflect on a year of more good experiences , more advancement , more players and an outlook of that pace continuing for many years . TSN is an area where there is a great deal of room for ongoing innovation and collaboration . The testbed team has seen distinct value right away .
Paul Didier ’ s advice to any organization starting an IoT project of this caliber is to focus on an area that is going to drive value and advancement for a range of companies . That will attract a good group of collaborators who are motivated to make changes , to invest time and resources and to create that innovation spark .
- 26 - January 2017