Application Notes for Network Instruments Observer Suite with Avaya Communication Manager - Issue 1.0

Transcription

1 Avaya Solution & Interoperability Test Lab Application Notes for Network Instruments Observer Suite with Avaya Communication Manager - Issue 1.0 Abstract These Application Notes describe the configuration procedures required for Network Instruments Observer Suite to interoperate with Avaya Communication Manager. The Observer Suite is a network monitor and protocol analysis appliance for Microsoft, Unix, Novell, Apple, VoIP, and wireless networks that can quickly diagnose, solve, and prevent network problems. Information in these Application Notes has been obtained through compliance testing and additional technical discussions. Testing was conducted via the DeveloperConnection Program at the Avaya Solution and Interoperability Test Lab. 1 of 7

2 1. Introduction These Application Notes describe the configuration procedures required for the Network Instruments Observer Suite (version 12.1) to interoperate with Avaya Communication Manager (version 4.0.1). The purpose of the testing was to verify that the Observer Suite recorded each phone call and the performance metrics recorded matches those from the endpoints. The Observer Suite is a network monitor and protocol analysis appliance for Microsoft, Unix, Novell, Apple, VoIP, and wireless networks that can quickly diagnose, solve, and prevent network problems. During the compliance test, the VoIP monitoring piece of the Observer Suite was tested and verified. The Observer Suite for VoIP utilizes a probe which listens for RTCP and RTP traffic from a switch or a router. The probe connects to a Switch Port Analyzer (SPAN) port on a switch, or a port mirror. The Observer Suite analyzes router/switch configurations in a single or mixed vendor networks to optimize the network and VoIP performance as well. Figure 1 illustrates a sample configuration consisting of an Avaya S8700 Servers, an Avaya G650 Media Gateway, and Network Instrument Observer Suite. The solution described herein is also extensible to other Avaya Media Servers and Media Gateways. Avaya S8300 Server with an Avaya G700 Media Gateway was included in the test to provide an inter-switch scenario. For completeness, Avaya 4600 Series H.323 IP Telephones, Avaya 9600 Series H.323 IP Telephones, and Avaya 6400 Series Digital Telephones, are included in Figure 1. 2 of 7

3 Avaya G 650 Media Gateway Avaya S 8700 Servers Avaya 6408D+ Digital Teleophones IPSI :. 86 CLAN :. 87 MEDPRO:.88 Virtual : /24 Network Instruments Observer Suite. Enterprise 1 LAN Avaya 4600 Series, 9600 Series IP Telephones (Registered to CLAN) /24 Avaya 4600 Series, 9600 Series IP Telephones (Registered to Procr).2 Procr -.11 Avaya S 8300 Server Avaya G 700 Media Gateway Avaya 6402D Digital Teleophones Figure 1. Test configuration of the Observer Suite with Avaya Communication Manager 3 of 7

4 2. Equipment and Software Validated The following equipment and software were used for the sample configuration provided: Equipment Software Avaya S8700 Servers Communication Manager (R014x ) Avaya G650 Media Gateway TN2312BP IP Server Interface TN799DP C-LAN Interface TN2302AP IP Media Processor TN2602AP IP Media Processor Avaya S8300 Media Server with Avaya G350 Media Gateway Avaya 4600 Series IP Telephones Avaya 9600 Series IP Telephones HW11 FW030 HW20 FW017 HW01 FW108 HW02 FW007 Communication Manager (R014x ) Network Instruments Observer Suite on Windows XP Configuring Avaya Communication Manager Since the solution utilizes a probe, there is no special configuration needed on Avaya Communication Manager. 4. Configuring Network Instruments Observer Suite There is no configuration setting on the Observer Suite. The probe needs to be connected to a span port on a switch or a router. The span port describes the port that can listen on all Virtual LANs (VLANS) on the switch. The alternative is utilizing a layer II switch or a hub to collect RTCP /RTP packet. 5. Interoperability Compliance Testing The interoperability compliance testing included feature and serviceability testing. The feature testing evaluated the ability of the Observer Suite to provide quality of calls placed to and from stations. The serviceability testing introduced failure scenarios to see if the Observer Suite can resume monitoring and recording after failure recovery General Test Approach The general approach was to place various types of calls to and from stations, collect VoIP call quality data from the Observer Suite, and compare collected values with Avaya IP telephone s Network Audio Quality values and a network impairment tool. For feature testing, the types of calls included internal calls, inbound trunk calls, outbound trunk calls, transferred calls, and 4 of 7

5 conference calls. During the compliance test, a network impairment tool was utilized to simulate jitter and packet drop. For serviceability testing, failures such as cable pulls and resets were applied. Verification of each call was made by performing queries into the Observer Suite data, and looking at the results recorded in the Observer Suite. At the end of the compliance test, the test team verified that the Observer Suite could retrieve the conversation recorded, summary report on the call quality, and report on phone calls which exceeded one of the predefined quality of service metrics Test Results Network Instruments Observer Suite successfully provided VoIP call quality data on various types of calls discussed in Section 5.1. For serviceability testing, Network Instruments Observer Suite was able to resume collecting VoIP call quality data after restoration of connectivity to the CLAN, and after resets of Network Instruments Observer Suite and Avaya S8700 Servers. 6. Verification Steps The following steps were used to verify the configuration. Verify that calls can be successfully completed between the IP and Digital telephones. Compare VoIP quality data from the following sources: o Network impairment tool settings o The Avaya IP telephone s Network Audio Quality data o Network Instruments Observer Suite The following screen shows a sample collection of a VoIP call quality data. 5 of 7

6 7. Support Network Instruments technical support is available to customers from 8:30AM to 5:00PM, Monday through Friday, Central Time. Customers that purchase annual software maintenance have unlimited access to technical support. Customers without maintenance have access to technical support for 90 days from date of purchase. To contact for support: US: (800) (CST) Europe: +44 (0) (GMT) Outside the US & Europe: (952) US: Europe: 8. Conclusion These Application Notes illustrate the procedures for configuring Network Instruments Observer Suite to monitor and correctly provide VoIP call quality statistics on the various types of calls placed to and from stations. In the configuration described in these Application Notes, Network Instruments Observer Suite employs a probe to collect RTCP and RTP packets between VoIP endpoints. During compliance testing, Network Instruments Observer Suite successfully monitored call streams and correctly provided VoIP call quality data. Network Instrument Observer Suite does not implement a feature for collecting latency of calls. Thus, only packet drop and jitter values were tested and verified during the compliance test. 9. References This section references the Avaya and Network Instruments documentation that are relevant to these Application Notes. The following Avaya product documentation can be found at [1] Administration for Network Connectivity for Avaya Communication Manager, Issue 12, February 2007, Document Number [2] Administrator Guide for Avaya Communication Manager, Issue 3.1, February 2007, Document Number Network Instruments provided the following documentation. For additional product and company information, visit [3] Observer 12 Reference Guide: Release 12, April of 7

7 Avaya and the Avaya Logo are trademarks of Avaya Inc. All trademarks identified by and are registered trademarks or trademarks, respectively, of Avaya Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The information provided in these Application Notes is subject to change without notice. The configurations, technical data, and recommendations provided in these Application Notes are believed to be accurate and dependable, but are presented without express or implied warranty. Users are responsible for their application of any products specified in these Application Notes. Please any questions or comments pertaining to these Application Notes along with the full title name and filename, located in the lower right corner, directly to the Avaya DeveloperConnection Program at 7 of 7