NRFU testing is often a mandatory, final step in certifying that a new network infrastructure has been implemented correctly and is ready to carry production traffic. During NRFU testing, every device is methodically checked to ensure that it has been implemented according to the design specifications and is operating error-free. Network services are verified, devices are added as elements into NMS and Operational Support Systems (OSS) systems, and a baseline of application performance is recorded.
The testing was broken into four separate phases:
• Phase I: During this phase, device-level verification was done. This phase included activities such as serial number verification, line card checks, Cisco IOS level confirmation, and power checks.
• Phase II: This phase included logical configuration and connectivity verification. In this phase, actions such as circuit connectivity verifications, routing protocol checks, and traceroutes were performed. Multicast and QoS configurations were checked.
• Phase III: This included service verification and traffic testing. Service verification included features such as IP telephony, video, wireless, and common IP services (DHCP, DNS, NTP).
• Phase IV: This was the application testing phase. Production applications and network and security management were tested during this phase.
The tests performed in each phase were further broken into three different types:
• Tests that were performed on all Cisco routers and switches installed
• Platform/role-specific tests:
• Access layer switches
• Core layer switches
• Distribution layer switches
• Video distribution switches
• Server farm switches
• Service-specific tests
I will share reset details soon.
