NetIQ has added features to its voice-over-IP (VOIP) management software that improve call quality and performance. The new software modules enable NetIQ`s VOIP Manager 2.0 to:
. Monitor H.323 Call Setup servers and Cisco VOIP and video conferencing servers;
. Work with Micromuse`s Netcool and Hewlett-Packard`s OpenView network management software; and
. Monitor hardware performance from Dell OpenManage VOIP Manager console.
H.323 Call Setup is a way to link the Internet to a private phone network, explains Riaan Odendaal, VOIP analyst for NSS Network Support Services, NetIQ`s strategic partner in SA.
"The new modules enable users to see a more complete picture of their combined voice and data networks, including showing them how voice applications affect the network and vice versa," he said.
"This will help users to further integrate VOIP networks into a standard network-management strategy. The NetIQ console can show performance metrics on voice applications such as unified messaging, and can display network metrics such as router downtime."
VOIP Manager runs on a Windows 2000 Server and uses a SQL Server database repository. The software communicates with agents and modules installed on PBXs and servers on a network via a secure, remote procedure call -- meaning the agents don`t poll the network. Users configure the agents to collect and batch data, and send it back to the repository at predefined frequencies.
"While VOIP offer significant cost savings, quality and performance issues have restricted its usage," said Odendaal. "Being able to manage the quality and performance metrics of a VOIP network effectively, as users can now do, will enable them deploy applications on their networks with greater confidence."
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