NetXen and Sigma Technologies & Resources have announced their collaboration on development of a best-of-breed test automation solution for testing NetXen's 10-Gigabit Ethernet Intelligent NIC products. The new test methodology will enable NetXen to test hundreds of configurations in an automated test bed, which will shorten test cycles and improve product quality, reducing time to market. SigmationTF, Sigma's flagship product, is expected to be fully integrated with NetXen's live production network in 1H 2008.

According to Walt Wallach, vice president of software engineering at NetXen, "Most test environments lack the power and flexibility needed to adequately test the range of operating system SKUs that are important for today's enterprise data centre marketplace. Our automated approach to testing is more complete and faster than alternatives, which brings us tremendous advantages."

"SigmationTF helped NetXen automate more than 100 operating system variations, including all updates and service packs in two-thirds the normal amount of time," said Jia-Ru Li, Ph.D., vice president of technology of Sigma. "We are extremely pleased to be working with NetXen to extend their already significant test infrastructure to the next level with our automation technology; providing a competitive advantage to NetXen both in terms of time to market and quality."

The NetXen test infrastructure is based upon Sigma's SigmationTF software; a test automation framework designed for testing TCP/IP based network products. SigmationTF automates running of tests to enable repeatable regression test methodologies that free test engineers from doing costly, time consuming, and error prone manual testing, and provides reporting and archiving of test results.