NQMS. Your Quality of Service Assurance. Network Quality Monitoring Systems. Telecom Test and Measurement NETWORK TESTING

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1 Network Quality Monitoring Systems NETWORK TESTING Your Quality of Service Assurance NQMS = End-to-End Quality of Service Monitoring Par Excellence! Ready for any type of Network Consultronics' family of Network Quality Monitoring Systems (NQMS ) is designed to evaluate all quality aspects of both fixed (PSTN, VoIP, Hybrid) and wireless networks, featuring sophisticated, yet cost effective distributed monitoring solutions for voice band services. NQMS provides network administrators with the tools required to ensure that their networks are running at peak condition, producing a Quality of Service (QoS) that is second to none. NQMS provides proactive monitoring across all network components, including Wireless Local Loops (WLLs). Using specific, user-definable monitoring parameters, NQMS allows for timely reactions in the event of malfunctions or performance degradation. Also, real-time generation of test results obtained through intelligent, fully automated intrusive test campaigns permits failure prediction before a failure can occur. Telecom Test and Measurement

2 Topology of an example NQMS plus system fromconsultronics A wide range of applications, including: Service Level Agreements (SLAs) Predetermined test thresholds, matching defined contractual terms, ensure that SLAs can be supported. Sophisticated, user-definable alarm handling capabilities guarantee the immediate detection and fast resolution of network deterioration beyond allowable parameter tolerances. More importantly however, the ability of NQMS to predict failures allows the operator to avoid the automatic application of penalties, which are increasingly common in SLAs today. Voice over IP (VoIP) As a result of the increasing dependency on VoIP and cellular networks, Consultronics introduces automatic Mean Opinion Score (MOS) testing with its NQMS line of products. MOS offers true speech quality assessment of both fixed and cellular telecommunications networks. Despite its versatility, digital network technology is being pushed to extremes in the area of real-time communications. Bandwidth optimization for the purpose of efficient data transmission often results in degradation of transmitted speech quality in both fixed and cellular networks. Along with the traditional measuring techniques employed by NQMS to provide an accurate picture of the quality of the network under test, MOS enables operators to properly assess and predict the quality of speech. Consultronics' family of NQMS products employs, under license, the most widely used MOS algorithms in the industry today: PAMS and PESQ.

3 International PSTN Testing International PSTN testing is very often more difficult to achieve if the operator does not have Points Of Presence (POPs) at all destinations. NQMS provides several alternative solutions to this problem. First of all, most connection tests, e.g. Post Dial Delay (PDD), do not require a dedicated device at the destination point. When considering transmission quality testing, calls can be made to test numbers available at most exchanges, which provide a standard test tone for basic transmission parameter measurements. Also available are automated test calls to '105 Responders', which are common in North America. Using a Consultronics TX-1 as a far end responder allows uni-directional transmission measurements across a wider frequency band. Newly released is the Consultronics MR-1, which enables MOS testing in addition to the transmission measurements that are intrinsic to the TX-1. Another alternative that provides a very good indication of network quality is fax/modem protocol & transmission testing. NQMS can simulate fax or modem calls to any ordinary fax machine or modem located at the far end, measuring a number of parameters, such as relative attenuation, connection speed, or transmission errors. Direct modem testing now enables the measurement of additional parameters such as Round Trip Delay (RTD), Echo and Noise Figure. Ultimately, the most comprehensive bi-directional transmission tests can be conducted with Consultronics Test Head Controllers (THCs) installed at both ends. Wireless Networks Through air interfaces, the NQMS can provide cellular and other wireless service providers an evaluation of their networks from a "users perspective". This is achieved through MOS, RTD and Echo measurements, which are essential to gauge the quality of wireless networks. NQMS = Two Platforms - One Great Concept! To best meet the uniquely individual needs of each of its customers, Consultronics offers QoS turnkey monitoring solutions based on two alternative platforms. Both products however, share some common principles: A fully functional graphical user interface (GUI) Intelligent, distributed Test Head Controllers (THCs) Full system control from one or several locations Up to 8 independent test channels per THC User-definable alarm thresholds and fault handling Automated web-based reporting functions Powerful scheduling capabilities Comprehensive connection and line quality testing True end-to-end voice, fax and modem quality testing NQMSplus UNIX platform Sophisticated and Scalable NQMSplus UNIX platform is an open and highly scalable platform for QoS Testing, Performance Monitoring and Alarm Management applications. NQMSplus UNIX supports a varied range of test heads for Public and Private Telecom Networks. Also included are sophisticated administrative and scheduling functions, user-configurable network maps, reports and graphs, multilingual support, TMN interfaces, and much more. Immediate Fault-Response and Comprehensive Long Term QoS Statistics Using defined monitoring parameters, NQMSplus UNIX allows for timely reactions in the event of malfunctions or performance degradation. The real-time generation of test results obtained through intrusive testing is used to assess the network. By providing valuable information on any problems within, prediction of failures is possible before they actually occur. The generated data is stored in a relational database and accessed via sophisticated, user-friendly reporting tools.

4 Robust yet Powerful Architecture NQMSplus UNIX has the ability to perform self-diagnostics, providing administrators with valuable information regarding the physical condition of the network monitoring components. Distributed test-head intelligence, scalable architecture, automated testing, facilities management, and detailed security; just some of the unique features that make NQMSplus UNIX the network monitoring system of choice in the telecommunications industry today. Be it continuous monitoring, immediate remote testing or largescale network-wide test campaigns, NQMSplus UNIX provides the right solution for the job, for even the most complex networks. NQMSplus Linux Platform Compact, Distributed and Extremely User-Friendly NQMSplus Linux Platform represents an inexpensive, entry-level distributed voice-band QoS monitoring system for private or public telephone networks with a limited number of Points Of Presence (POPs). The compact nature of this system allows for simple installation of all distributed components. As well, new users will become familiar with all system functions in a minimum amount of time, thanks to the intuitive GUI.

5 Circuit Switched versus Packet Switched In packet networks, end-to-end speech quality will be affected by many factors, such as the variation of packet delays and packet losses, or the introduction of silence compression to increase bandwidth utilization, which produces background noise modulation. Traditional intrusive and non-intrusive (monitoring) measurements, like Frequency Response, Echo Return Loss, Round-Trip Delay and monitoring of packets, fail to properly predict the quality of speech. The problem becomes even more complex in hybrid networks where VoIP and PSTN are combined, which is the case in most applications of VoIP. Consultronics' MOS now provides an in-service call-based tool with the ability to test the speech quality of VoIP. Your Permanent Network Report Card NQMSplus Linux enables automatic end-to-end measurements of call establishment and call quality parameters scheduled from one or more locations. The health of the monitored network can be easily tracked over time by means of scheduled, automated test campaigns. Comprehensive statistics provide the operator with a broad overview of the network's performance, while detailed reports containing individual test results help to identify and eliminate trouble sources.

6 NQMS Test Heads & System Components Intelligent Distribution for Testing Your Networks Consultronics offers all of the components you need to build a turnkey network quality management system. Consultronics supplies ISDN and other PC-based monitoring/measurement cards (such as the Consultronics CSC-150 dual-port PSTN/VoIP line test card), fitted into rack-mounted PCs, or ruggedized portable computers, in order to build up the test heads required for your specific application. If Consultronics does not build the components that fit your requirements, we will source and integrate third-party test cards. Consultronics test heads are designed to keep communications overhead low by running intelligent pre-scheduled tests in a quasiindependent manner. See below for a brief overview of NQMS components. Consultronics CSC 150 The CSC 150 is a PC Card based instrument for testing the quality of dial-up telephone circuits. The product consists of a PC Card plus Linux based software. The number of PSTN modems and fax machines that are connected to the network has increased dramatically over the past few years. At the same time, manufacturers of modems have increased the speed of transmission up to as much as 115,200 bps. The telephone network was not designed to carry data transmissions and thus many circuits are unable to perform to their optimal level. The CSC 150 is an easy and inexpensive way to test the quality of these circuits. Consultronics MR-1 The MR-1 is an economical, automatic MOS Responder. The MR-1 is a complementary test device for quality of service testing with the NQMS. In addition to the measurement capabilities of the TX-1, the MR-1 enables MOS testing, Round- Trip-Delay (RTD) testing, Echo testing, and many other transmission tests. The MR-1 can be installed beside analog modems and fax machines, thus eliminating the need for dedicated lines. Similar to the TX-1, when idle, the MR-1 is transparent to the line and does not affect operation of the terminal equipment. Testing begins when the MR-1 is "contacted by the NQMS. Consultronics TX-1 The TX-1 is a 2-wire automatic remote transponder. It is capable of VF and 400 khz wideband uni-directional testing. When idle, the TX-1 is transparent to the line and does not affect operation of the terminal equipment. Testing begins when the TX-1 is "contacted" by the NQMS.

7 Rackmount Computer Ruggedized Portable Computer Computer NQMS Services = Consultronics is Here to Help Consultronics has been servicing hundreds of customers around the world for over a quarter of a century. From our regional service centers, we offer a wide range of NQMS related services including, QoS requirement consultations, on-site installation, and different levels of operator and system administrator training. NQMS turnkey solutions typically comprise of various proprietary and third party hardware and software elements, which will be provided fully installed, integrated and operational at our customers' sites. Post installation offers different support options ranging from telephone to full on-site support. In order to help customers take advantage of the full potential of their NQMS solution for the purpose of optimizing network quality, Consultronics provides optional customized consultation and training for any system in service.

8 Find out more about EXFO's extensive line of high-performance portable instruments by visiting our website at Rugged Handheld Solutions OPTICAL COPPER ACCESS OLTSs Power meters Light sources Talk sets ADSL/ADSL2+, SHDSL, VDSL test sets VoIP and IPTV test sets Ethernet test sets POTS test sets Platform-Based Solutions OPTICAL FIBER DWDM Test Systems Optical Fiber OTDRs OSAs OLTSs PMD analyzers ORL meters Chromatic dispersion Variable attenuators analyzer Transport/Datacom SONET/DSn (DS0 to OC-192) testers SDH/PDH (64 kb/s to STM-64) testers T1/T3 testers E1 testers 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet testers Fibre Channel testers 10 Gigabit Ethernet testers EXFO Corporate Headquarters > 400 Godin Avenue, Quebec (Quebec) G1M 2K2 CANADA Tel.: Fax: info@exfo.com Toll-free: (USA and Canada) EXFO Montreal 2650 Marie-Curie St-Laurent (Quebec) H4S 2C3 CANADA Tel.: Fax: EXFO Toronto 160 Drumlin Circle Concord (Ontario) L4K 3E5 CANADA Tel.: Fax: EXFO America 3701 Plano Parkway, Suite 160 Plano, TX USA Tel.: Fax: EXFO Europe Le Dynasteur, 10/12 rue Andras Beck Meudon la Forêt Cedex FRANCE Tel.: Fax: EXFO Asia 151 Chin Swee Road, #03-29 Manhattan House SINGAPORE Tel.: Fax: EXFO China No.88 Fuhua, First Road Shenzhen , CHINA Tel.: +86 (755) Fax: +86 (755) Central Tower, Room 801, Futian District Beijing New Century Hotel Office Tower, Room Beijing P. R. CHINA Tel.: +86 (10) Fax: +86 (10) No. 6 Southern Capital Gym Road EXFO is certified ISO 9001 and attests to the quality of these products. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. EXFO has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this specification sheet is accurate. All of EXFO s manufactured products are compliant with the European Union s WEEE directive. For more information, please visit However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions, and we reserve the right to modify design, characteristics and products at any time without obligation. Units of measurement in this document conform to SI standards and practices. Contact EXFO for prices and availability or to obtain the phone number of your local EXFO distributor. For the most recent version of this spec sheet, please go to the EXFO website at In case of discrepancy, the Web version takes precedence over any printed literature. SPNQMS.1AN 2006 EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada 06/03