How to run Bit Error Rate Testing (BERT) in Cisco Router T1/E1 Controller

95% of my job as a network engineer is to troubleshoot WAN connections. One of the useful tool is using Bit Error Rate (BER) Tester to test the Layer 1 (Physical layer) and Layer 2 (Data Link layer) for any performance issues. Some Cisco router WAN implementation are using controller cards. This controller cards have built in functionality for BER testing. Thanks to my colleague Jack for the tip.

Here it is "the How To".

BERT Testing Using Cisco Router with Controller Card

1. To start BERT:

hostname#bert controller e1 0/1/0 pattern ?

0s All 0's test pattern
1in8 1-in-8 test pattern
1s All 1's test pattern
2047 2^11-1 test pattern
3in24 3-in-24 test pattern
511 2^9-1 511 test pattern
63 2^6-1 63 test pattern
alt-0-1 Alternating 0's and 1's test pattern
qrss 2^20-1 QRSS O.151 test pattern
qrw 2^15-1 QRW test pattern

hostname#bert controller e1 0/1/0 pattern 1s interval ?

<1-14400> Duration of BERT <1-14400> minutes

hostname#bert controller e1 0/1/0 pattern 1s interval 2



2. To display result:

hostname#sh controller e1 bert

E1 0/1/0 is up.

BERT is done on the controller. The result of last time is

DSX1 BERT status : done
DSX1 BERT pattern : 1s
DSX1 BERT sync count : 1
DSX1 BERT interval : 2 min
DSX1 BERT time remain : 0 min 0 sec
DSX1 BERT total errs : 0
DSX1 BERT total k bits: 231363
DSX1 BERT errors (last): 0
DSX1 BERT k bits (last): 231362


3. To stop BERT:

hostname#bert abort controller e1 0/1/0

Note:
For T1 circuits, use "t1" instead of "e1"