There are a number of direct and indirect benefits that companies receive through their membership in a UNH InterOperability Laboratory Consortium. They are as follows:

1. Testing Services: Through consortium membership, your company can reserve the InterOperability Laboratory to perform a number of different testing services. These services include standardized test suites and custom test designs to address your particular concerns. Key benefits of UNH-IOL testing are:
   • Access to a large cross section of current network and testing equipment. The UNH-IOL maintains one of the most heterogeneous testing networks in the world, composed of equipment from over one hundred members. This network can be used by the members to verify proper device operation in multi-vendor environments.
   • Access to UNH-IOL staff expertise for the isolation and resolution of complex problems.
   • Access to UNH-IOL testing facilities. The UNH-IOL builds and maintains a large cross section of some of the best testing equipment in the industry, including high spec DSO's, VNA's, other specialized test equipment, protocol analyzers, management stations, and testing software for load and packet generation.
   • Involvement in ongoing testing. Even when the member's equipment is not directly under test, it is in a highly metered network in which failures and abnormal behavior can be observed.
   • The Laboratory is able to test multiple technologies with closer to real life problem detection. Full system/stress testing is also available.
   • Involvement in special group testing programs are included in your membership.
   • Open and widely reviewed testing procedures for both conformance and interoperability testing that can be incorporated into product test plans.
2. Cost Effectiveness: The Laboratory provides a cost effective way to identify problems that show up in heterogeneous networks.
   • The Laboratory is able to act as an extension of your companies own R&D/QA organization because there is a large equipment base dedicated to the sole purpose of interoperability testing. Your membership saves your company from having to buy additional testing equipment and gives you access to millions of dollars worth of current networking and testing equipment.
   • By leaving a platform and an engineering point of contact, and by providing firmware, hardware and software upgrades as they become available, we can install new code releases and provide feedback to your engineers about any testing issues encountered or bugs discovered while using the upgrades.
   • You don't have to have your engineers at the Laboratory during the testing process, saving your company time and money.
   • There is only one annual fee per Consortium and a simple membership process. Membership fees are based on Consortium with no hidden or additional charges. To find out what the fees are please go to our membership fee page.
   • Neutral Environment: The UNH-IOL provides a neutral environment that is not biased to any particular company or technology.

3. Quality Products: As a provider of open communication products and solutions, membership in an UNH-IOL consortium is a marketable demonstration of commitment to quality products that adhere to standards and interoperate.
   • Quality testing of real life problems in a neutral environment results in quality products.

4. Enhanced Image: Your company's image will be enhanced through a consortium membership as you:
   • Participate in a cooperative venture with many companies.
   • Support higher education
   • Demonstrate to the consumer that you are committed to producing quality communication products/solutions that operate in heterogeneous environments.

1. Membership Fee: All Bridge Functions Consortium Members agree to pay an annual membership fee which covers the costs of developing and performing tests. To find out what these fees are please go to our membership fee page.
2. Provision of a Platform: In addition, Consortium members agree to provide a platform representing their equipment at the UNH-IOL for at least 18 months. The requirement to leave a platform at the UNH-IOL allows the users of the Laboratory to perform interoperability testing with current equipment throughout the year, and without having to make special legal arrangements with other players in the technology. There will be an additional charge if you would like us to provide a platform on your behalf. Please contact us to discuss this option.

1. Consortium Charter: Applicants must be familiar with the contents of the Bridge Functions Consortium Charter. Application for Bridge Functions Consortium membership implies a full knowledge and willingness to abide by the Bridge Functions Consortium Charter which governs the structure and usage of the Bridge Functions Consortium.
2. Membership Application: Each applicant must fill out and return a membership form to us. The membership form requires a technical and administrative contact from each company to be listed and also serves as a statement of agreement to the contents of the Bridge Functions Consortium Charter.
3. Payment: After receiving the applicant's membership form and purchase order or payment, the applicant can schedule the Laboratory for testing.

If you would like to join the Bridge Functions Consortium you can either download a copy of the Bridge Functions Consortium Membership Application right now or fill out the form online. In all cases, the printed form should be signed and the original returned with your payment or purchase order to the address on the application.

The membership form is currently available in two formats:

1. Online
2. Adobe Acrobat