Juniper StreamScope eRM Tool Improves Video Monitoring

Juniper Networks is unveiling StreamScope eRM, a tool that lets network administrators better monitor the quality of video streaming within the network.

Introduced April 1, the StreamScope eRM monitoring and analysis product will be integrated into Juniper's M and MX Series routers to improve the monitoring of video streaming by simplifying network design and operations through higher performance and better space efficiency over current offerings, all of which Juniper officials said improves performance and scale while lowering TCO.

The StreamScope eRM can be integrated with Juniper's M Series Multiservice Edge Router platform—which combines IP/MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) capabilities that integrate multiple networks into a single infrastructure—and MX Series router platform, which provides Ethernet switch capabilities. Include the JunOS Software, and the new product does away with the need for specific appliances for video monitoring, company officials said.

The StreamScope eRM lets users identify quality problems at multiple levels, including the network layer and MPEG layer.

The product comes at a time when the use of IP transport within video delivery networks makes quality assurance more difficult. For businesses built on providing high-quality video content, the need for better monitoring capabilities is growing.

"Video monitoring is an increasingly critical capability for cable operators and IPTV and wireless providers, as customer expectations for high-quality video entertainment continue to grow," Manoj Leelanivas, senior vice president and general manager of the Edge Aggregation Business Unit at Juniper, said in a statement.

Leelanivas said Juniper's StreamScope eRM improves scalability, performance and efficiency.

The product was built via Juniper's Partner Solution Development Platform. In the case of the StreamScope eRM offering, that partner was Triveni Digital, which offers digital signal monitoring and analysis products. Juniper will sell and support the product within its M and MX series platforms.

The StreamScope eRM can support 10 Gigabit Ethernet links, which means that it can scale 10 times better than other video monitoring devices, officials said.

The product will be an option with the M and MX Series devices in the second half of 2009. Juniper is demonstrating the StreamScope eRM at the Cable Show event in Washington April 1 to 3.