HGI focuses on function and performance for first remote SWEX Test Event

Home Gateway companies should register now for an opportunity to test equipment online and earn logos

19 November 2013 HGI, a leading not-for-profit organisation shaping the way IP services are delivered to the home, has opened registration to its 2013 SWEX (Software Execution Environment) Test Event which will be available remotely for the first time.

The SWEX Test Event and associated logo programme, which are both free to HGI members, will take place over two weeks from November 25 to December 6. Requirements for SWEX have been developed by the HGI’s Smart Home Task Force to enable Home Gateway software modularity.

The testing will measure, in both Home Gateway products and reference designs, the integration of an OSGi environment as well as the underlying JVM features on the gateway according to the detailed requirements developed by HGI. The testing is implemented by test bundles developed by HGI and downloaded in the remote testing in a highly automated procedure. Vendors who participate in the event and whose test results meet criteria set by the HGI Management Committee, and who agree to the terms of the logo programme, will be able to earn a logo.

“The move to a remote Test Event is an exciting development for HGI,” said Duncan Bees, Chief Technology and Business Officer at HGI. “Previous test events, in which vendors gathered in one location, have already proven very popular. The remote testing aspect will remove any geographic obstacles of participation. All in all, we hope the remote event and associated logo programme will prove of high value to the industry.”

The server for the remote testing will be made available ahead of the event so participants can run practice sessions. An auditing committee, made up of the HGI CTO and SPs, will supervise testing and will provide vendors with detailed results.

“The test activities of HGI aim to help hardware and software designers, of global service providers and manufacturers, to grapple with increasingly complicated and sophisticated new services being applied to the home network,” said Vitor Ribeiro of Portugal Telecom, Chairman of HGI’s Test Task Force. The different sets of Test Specifications of HGI provide means for companies to reach specific home gateway product configurations, tested against leading-edge requirements of the service providers.”

HGI held its inaugural Test Event in 2009, letting Gateway vendors, chipset makers, and software vendors with a SWEX implementation test and analyse their products with test tools provided by HGI.

Vendors may earn logos for more than one product/product configuration, subject to availability of test time slots and auditing resources.

“The HGI test event is the only one in the world where the service providers set the test requirements and form the auditing committee,” said Andreas Sayegh of Deutsche Telekom, Chairman of HGI’s Smart Home Task Force. “This gives it great credibility and enables pre-qualification of vendors’ equipment, at the same time giving an overall annual snapshot of leading-edge home gateway performance.”

Companies wishing to participate in the 2013 SWEX Test Event should send a confirmation email and request a preferred participation week and timeslot to the HGi secretariat by email at [email protected].

If you would like more information about HGI visit http://www.homegatewayinitiative.org or follow the organisation on Twitter @HGIbulletin.