"Having a consistent standard is the first step to making AdvancedTCA a marketable solution for mainstream communications platforms. CP-TA is working to create a true 'industry standard' by narrowing the options for specification implementation and certifying interoperable building blocks. I see the efforts of the CP-TA as a key enabler for a new generation of communications platforms." 

-- Jim McGregor, Principal Analyst, In-Stat

xTCA Interoperability

CP-TA Interoperability Documents

CP-TA announced the release of the Interoperability Compliance Document 3.0 and the Test Procedure Manual 3.0 in March 2009. The updated ICD hardens the interoperability requirements for ATCA communications platforms originally defined in the ICD 1.1. The updated document includes new thermal requirements and clarifies earlier requirements for manageability and data transport interoperability. The enhanced TPM reflects the changes to the ICD 3.0.

The ICD defines a set of interoperability requirements to build interoperable communications platforms. The TPM defines test procedures for those requirements. Together, these two documents allow vendors to design and deliver interoperable open specifications-based products. Both documents have updates that will ensure easy and manageable testing.

The ICD and TPM address three integral areas of interest for communications providers who construct ATCA platforms – thermals, manageability, and data transport.

Interoperability Compliance Document (ICD)

• Release date ICD 3.0: March 10, 2009
• Release date ICD 1.1: August 20, 2007
• Release date ICD 1.0: February 8, 2007

Test Procedure Manual (TPM)

• Release date TPM 3.0: March 10, 2009
• Release date TPM 1.1: October 15, 2007     
• Release date TPM 1.0: February 16, 2007

For CP-TA, interoperability is defined as the ability of a communications platform or building block to operate in the intended environment, exchange information with another system or product, and use that information without special effort by the customer. CP-TA has helped to create an environment of multi-vendor interoperability by making open specifications-based communications platforms a compelling alternative to proprietary architectures.

In the near future, CP-TA will also address interoperability requirements for PICMG’s MicroTCA and AMC specifications, as well as profiles from the Linux Foundation and the Service Availability Forum.

Periodic CP-TA interoperability plugfests provide a confidential environment for the xTCA ecosystem members to harmonize the execution of automated test suites, as well as offer a true multi-vendor environment for enhanced interoperability testing.

  ~ Brian Partridge, Senior Analyst, Communications Network Infrastructure,   Yankee Group