03 / Services
Network Testing & Commissioning_
Every fiber. Every copper run. Every connection tested, measured, and documented. OTDR testing, insertion loss and return loss verification, copper certification, and full commissioning with delivered test reports and cable maps.
Why Testing Matters_
A GPU cluster is only as reliable as its weakest connection. One marginal fiber link in a 10,000-connection fabric can cause intermittent training failures, reduced throughput, or silent data corruption that surfaces hours into a workload.
At the cost of GPU compute time, finding and fixing a bad cable after deployment costs orders of magnitude more than testing every connection during deployment.
We test every connection because the alternative — hoping it works — is not a strategy for production GPU infrastructure.
Testing Scope_
OTDR Testing
Optical Time Domain Reflectometer sends a pulse of light down a fiber link and measures the reflections that return. The result is a complete characterization of the link — every connector, splice, bend, and termination point mapped with distance and loss values.
OTDR testing catches problems that simple pass/fail testing misses: stress points, marginal connectors, contaminated ferrules, and macro-bends that will fail under temperature change. We perform OTDR testing on every fiber link, not just a sample.
Insertion Loss Testing
Measures the optical power lost as light passes through a connector or splice. Lower values indicate a better connection. We measure insertion loss on every fiber connection and compare against TIA-568 standards for the connector type.
Return Loss Testing
Measures the amount of light reflected back toward the source at a connection point. Higher return loss values are better — they indicate less reflection. Excessive return loss causes signal interference on high-speed links. We measure return loss on every fiber connection.
Copper Certification
Every copper run is certified to the appropriate category standard (Cat 6A, Cat 8) using a calibrated certification tester. Results include wire map, length, insertion loss, NEXT, PSNEXT, return loss, and PSACRF. Marginal or failing links are re-terminated and re-tested.
Commissioning Process_
Testing is integrated into the deployment workflow, not performed as a separate phase after everything is installed.
Connection-Level Testing
Each cable tested immediately after installation. Failures identified and corrected in real time.
Link-Level Validation
End-to-end link performance verified across the full path from GPU node to switch port.
System-Level Commissioning
POST verification on every server. All GPUs detected, NVLink active, fabric links confirmed.
Documentation & Handoff
Complete documentation package delivered. Walk-through with ops team. Open items resolved.
Deliverables_
Every project handoff includes:
Individual Test Results
Per-connection test data for every fiber and copper link in the deployment. OTDR traces included for all fiber.
Cable Maps
Port-to-port mapping showing the complete connectivity of the fabric. Every source port mapped to its destination port with cable type, length, and test result.
Rack Elevation Drawings
Visual documentation of each rack showing server, switch, and PDU placement.
Photographs
Visual record of completed work for each rack and cable pathway.
Summary Report
Project-level overview with scope, crew, timeline, test result summary, and any notes for the operations team.
This documentation package is what your operations team uses for ongoing management, troubleshooting, and future expansion. We deliver it because it is part of the job, not as an optional add-on.
Standards We Work To_
Fiber end-faces are inspected to IEC 61300-3-35 before mating, then measured for insertion and return loss against ANSI/TIA-568 loss budgets for the connector and link type. Copper is certified to its category standard with a calibrated tester.
Documentation, labeling, and administration follow ANSI/TIA-942 and ANSI/TIA-606, and testing is integrated into the deployment workflow per BICSI practice rather than bolted on at the end. Pass/fail thresholds come from the applicable standard and the platform spec.
Platform coverage: commissioning completed across H100, H200, GH200, GB200 NVL72, and GB300 NVL72 deployments.
Where we work: based in Texas, providing network testing and commissioning across the United States.
Track Record_
Commissioning completed across: H100, H200, GH200, GB200 NVL72, and GB300 NVL72 deployments
Documentation packages: Delivered on every project
Testing & Commissioning FAQ_
What does data center network testing and commissioning include?
It is the verification that turns a powered-on cluster into an accepted one. Our scope covers OTDR testing on every fiber link, insertion-loss and return-loss measurement, copper certification to the category standard, POST verification on every server, and fabric validation — delivered with per-connection test data, cable maps, and as-built documentation.
Do you test every connection or just a sample?
Every connection. Every fiber link is inspected and OTDR-tested; every copper run is certified. On a 10,000-connection fabric, a single marginal link can cause intermittent training failures, so sampling is not enough for production GPU infrastructure. Marginal or failing links are re-terminated and re-tested.
Which standards do you certify cabling against?
Fiber is inspected to IEC 61300-3-35 for end-face cleanliness and tested against ANSI/TIA-568 loss budgets for the connector and link type. Copper is certified to its category standard (Cat 6A, Cat 8). Documentation and labeling follow TIA-942 and TIA-606, and testing is integrated into the deployment workflow per BICSI practice.
What documentation do you deliver at handoff?
Per-connection test results with OTDR traces for all fiber, port-to-port cable maps, rack elevation drawings, photographs of completed work, and a project summary report. This as-built package is what the operations team uses for ongoing management, troubleshooting, and expansion.
Where do you provide commissioning services?
Leviathan Systems is based in Texas and provides network testing and commissioning across the United States for GPU and AI data center deployments.
Ready to Deploy Your GPU Infrastructure?_
Tell us about your project. Book a call and we’ll discuss scope, timeline, and the best approach for your deployment.
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