Network performance specialist WildPackets announced the addition of new voice features to its Avaya-compliant, OmniPeek Distributed Analysis Suite. Features include VOIP extensions that have recently been certified as compliant by Avaya as well as additional support for 802.11n networks, which WildPackets said makes OmniPeek ideal for monitoring and troubleshooting voice over Wi-Fi.
OmniPeek blends the abilities to monitor and analyze network traffic with specific analysis of VOIP calls, allowing users to determine when different types of traffic adversely affect each other. OmniPeek is the only network analyzer offering Ethernet, wireless, 10GbE, Gigabit, WAN, and voice and video over IP diagnostics in real time, the company claimed.
“Network administrators often tell us that everyone in their company immediately turns to them if they experience any problems while speaking on the phone,” said WildPackets’ vice president of marketing, Tony Barbagallo. “The voice capabilities of OmniPeek Enterprise help those network administrators resolve any problems that may arise quickly and easily.”
OmniPeek can monitor and analyze open calls without requiring any expensive voice processing hardware. The solution allows network engineers to quickly see the voice and/or video quality for each stream being transmitted, and can be notified when performance drops below a certain level.
Craig Mathias, a principal with the advisory firm Farpoint Group, said VOIP-both wired and wireless-is clearly the right direction for the industry and users alike. “But challenges including jitter, latency and packet loss can result in poor quality and are often maddeningly difficult to diagnose and repair,” he noted. “That’s why it’s great to see the latest release of OmniPeek, adding essential monitoring and diagnostic capabilities that will accelerate the adoption of VOIP for any network and in any venue.”
Earlier this year the company announced Version 6 of its OmniPeek Distributed Analysis Suite, which included updates such as the OmniPeek network analyzer, OmniEngine software and Omnipliance Network Recorders, advanced analysis cards, and a host of extensions that enhance functionality across areas of wireless, Gigabit, 10 Gigabit and wide area networks.
OmniPeek products also add wireless analysis that dissects roaming occurrences, providing detailed measurements from several perspectives, including end-user and device manufacturer, as well as summary data for roaming from each AP (access point) or client. Also available is WildPackets OmniRFGrabber, with integrated support for 802.11a/b/g and 802.11n. Used in conjunction with the OmniPeek Distributed Analysis Suite, the OmniRFGrabber allows network administrators to monitor and analyze wireless voice, video and data traffic at remote locations without leaving the desk.