Over the last decade or so Calabasas, CA-based Ixia has emerged as a leader in Converged IP-based testing products for both wireline and wireless IP networks. A Provider of performance test systems for IP-based infrastructure and services, Ixia is now adding advanced wireless test systems to its products offeringkitty thereby strengthening its footprint in the wireless test space.

Atul Bhatnagar, CEO of Ixia, is quick to recognize when the market moves, and he realized the opportunities emerging in the 3G and 4G networks. His customers – network equipment manufacturers and service providers – are seeking a testing solution that covers wireless edge and Internet core convergence. Atul asked for his customers’ thoughts and received the following answer: “If only we could test the mobile services and multimedia device services from a wireless edge to the Internet core, that will boost the quality of service and bring in more efficiency and usability.”

Six months ago Atul knocked on the doors of Catapult Communications, a leader in 3G and 4G wireless network solutions and testing products to discuss an acquisition. Very few companies in the world today have the expertise to test the wireless edge and Internet core. Catapult is now a part of Ixia, a NASDAQ listed entity that evolved from a startup into a public company with $174 million in revenues and a market capitalization of $431.4 million in less than a decade.

Founded in May 1997, Ixia set out to address the needs of network equipment manufacturers (NEMs). Its vision was helping NEMs design highly scalable and efficient network equipments. At that time, networks were evolving as the bedrock of all communication, and the Ethernet switching market had just opened up.

The SmartBits line from Netcom Systems was the first switch tester. The lack of diversity in the market left an opportunity for another competitor, as clients wanted competition. Ixia ventured into the space and their first testing system was built from scratch in just one year. In June 1998, Cisco became their first major client.