29 June 2006

Without the right tools, fixing one problem can mean causing another.

Network managers running voice applications across their IP networks know a thing or two about juggling.

Daily they must track the performance of IP phones, voice gateways, call managers and IP PBXs against that of such data network components as routers, switches, hubs, servers and client machines.

They must determine whether a staticky line is due to a physical problem such as a bad cable or overextended cord, or whether no phone service on a user's desktop means two IP phones were assigned the same IP address. With VOIP adoption growing, network managers' need for management tools has grown beyond monitoring device availability to fine-tuning voice application and service performance.