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FAQs covering :-

  • VoIP Simulation

 

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Toolbox and access information

 

 

 

-  used to measure QoS over network paths

This tool has two components. A Simulator Manager and a Sink System. The Tool requires a minimum of two Host Platforms. One for each end of the path.

 

Part of

Facilities accessible via autoVoIP Simulator tree branch

 

 

 

 

 

 
Diagram showing the components in VoIP Simulation tool and deployment information

Video Tutorial information

These Tutorials can be used to answer questions:-

  • How to Start Post Deployment QoS Measurement

  • How to deploy Codima Toolbox

  • Reports Manager - Overview and Applications

  • How to use Reports Manager

  • How to use Codima Toolbox Alarm System

Click here to access Tutorial Sign up access point

 
Fast access to key information

Network and Deployment Information

 Remote Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
For use on all types of VoIP networks

A minimum of two Host Platforms are required, they should be deployed at each end of the path being monitored. The Platform at the far end of the path is known as the Sink System.

  • Sink System = Host Platform with Toolbox software and Sink License

For deployment information, see the VoIP Simulation tool section of the Codima Toolbox Deployment Guide

 

 The Remote Manager tool is included in all the Codima Toolboxes, it is used to view and in some cases control Remote systems. These remote systems can be other toolboxes.

The autoVoIP Simulator tree branch is NOT available for remote viewing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAQs covering Benefits

 

 

 

FAQs covering Installation, Licensing and Deployment

Installation :-

How much memory do I need to install?

How much disk space do I need?

Licensing :-

For more information on the license process see :-

Deployment :-

 

 

FAQs covering Scalability
 

 

 

FAQs covering Software Delivery, Software Updates and Software Release Contents

Software delivery and updates :-

Software Release content and schedule :-

  • How do I find out what is included in the latest software releases?
  • How do I find out what is included in older releases?
  • How do I get the latest software version?
  • How do I get a copy of the Codima Toolbox software?
  • How do I check the version number of the software I have installed?

See  FAQs covering Software Releases

 

 

FAQs covering Troubleshooting and Check lists

Troubleshooting:-

Check Lists:-

For more on Check lists/Reference Material and Evidence requirements - see FAQ - Troubleshooting Codima Toolbox

 

 

FAQs covering Tools
 

autoVoIP Simulator  tree branch provides access to functions

Area / Question
Tutorials:-
 

 
Getting Started :-
 

 
Applications/Scope/Operations :-
 Applications:-

 Scope:-

Operations :-

- Using simulations

 

Applications

Scope/Operations : - Alarm facilities :-

 

Applications:-

Scope - Statistics Reports :-

 

 

 FAQs on miscellaneous/linked subjects
Area / Questions

VoIP Technology :-

 

 

Probes :-

 
Microsoft® Patch level :-

 

 

 

 

FAQs and answers

Tutorials

Are there any tutorials to help me get started?

Yes - there is a tutorial to assist you in learning how to use the facilities available via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch. It is accessible from the Help facility and from the Codima Website.

Click here to access the sign in page for the Tutorials:-

The tutorial is titled :-

  • How to start Post Deployment QoS measurement

 

 

Installation

 

Can I use Host Platforms with 64bit Operating Systems?

What Operating Systems can I use on the Host Platforms?

 

The Codima Toolbox will operate on platforms running the following Operating Systems

  • Microsoft® Windows Vista, XP, Server 2003, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7 with 2GHz CPU (minimum)

 

Toolbox includes WinPCap drivers (used for frame capture) that support 64bit Operating systems.

 

 

What are the Host Platform requirements for Toolbox - when using functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch?

 A minimum of two Host Platforms are needed to use the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch:-
  • §One to run the Simulator (Simulator Manager Host Platform)
  • §One to respond to the traffic, i.e., send back RTCP reports (Sink System Host Platform).

 

The information provided covers the Platform requirements for both Host Platforms. It will include answers to the following questions :-

 

  • How much memory do I need to install?
  • How much disk space do I need?

 

Click here to access information on the Platform requirements for the Codima Toolboxes

 

 

 

What configuration is required to monitor VoIP traffic?

 

If you wish to monitor the frames being sent and received by the Toolbox, you will need to use an independent system, i.e., you can not use the Passive analysis functions accessible via the autoAnalyzer tree branch on the same Host Platform that is generating the simulator traffic. You can either use a separate Platform with the Toolbox installed or you can use other protocol analysis tools such as Wireshark®.

 

However if you just want to view other network traffic, you can configure and deploy the Toolbox for passive and active options. See :-

The Host Platforms Network Adapter(s) must be correctly configured and connected to the network to monitor and transmit traffic.

Configuration - autoVoIP  Simulator tree branch

The functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch have the following configuration capabilities,  they fall into two categories :-

  • User - Used to configure "user requirements", i.e., issue that are specific to the network being monitored.
  • System - Used to configure the Toolbox system itself.

These configuration features are for use by expert users who have detailed knowledge of the network being monitored. Detailed information is provided in the Codima Toolbox help file.

Example showing interface used to configure SLA used by the VoIP Simulation tool.

 

Components

What components do I need to install to use the VoIP Simulation tool?

There are two components associated with VoIP Simulation tool, they are the Simulator Manager Host Platform and the Sink System.

You need to install Codima software on two distinct Host Platforms. One Platform sited at each end of the path being monitored. One acts as the Simulator Manager Host Platform and the other acts as the Sink System Host Platform.

Simulator Manager Host Platform - What is it used for?

The VoIP Simulation tool requires a minimum of two Platforms to operate, one sited at each end of the path being monitored. The Simulator Manager Host Platform is used to configured and control the Simulators. It is sited at one end of the path and a Sink system is sited at the other end.

Deployment examples showing Simulator Manager Host Platform and Sink Platforms.

 

 

Sink system - What is it used for?

 

When using the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch, the Toolbox needs to send traffic to different destination IP addresses on the network.

  • The destination for the Simulator traffic is the Sink Platforms IP address

 

The Sink system is the Remote end, used to respond,  i.e., send back RTCP reports to the Simulator Manager Host Platform, and send out RTP frames to the Simulator Manager Host Platform.
The Sink is licensed to operate on any suitable Host Platform, with no local functionality, its sole task being to issue RTP/RTCP frames.

 

The Host Platform used by the Sink system can be portable, allowing it to be moved to different points on the network.

 

 

Downloading Sink Software

 

The installation instructions provided in the license delivery email provide you with the url to use to obtain a copy of this software.

 

For more information, see FAQ entry titled:-

 

Licensing

How is Toolbox licensed?

See below for the licenses information in respect of each of the components used by the VoIP Simulation tool.

  1. Simulator Manager Host Platform

This is the system used to configure the VoIP Simulation tool, it also provides a console to view the results. It will require a machine lock license, the license files cover the following :-

Toolbox License (File name = LICENSE.TXT)

The Toolbox License controls the following:- 

  • Toolbox structure, e.g., provides access to autoVoIP Simulator tree branch

  • Expiry date

  • MAC Address used to machine lock the software

  • Software Release Version, e.g., 6.40

  1. Sink System Host Platform

This is the Remote end, used to respond,  i.e., send back RTCP reports to the Simulator Manager Host Platform, and send out RTP frames to the Simulator Manager Host Platform.
The Sink is licensed to operate on any suitable Host Platform, with no local functionality, its sole task being to issue RTP/RTCP frames.

So the user just needs a machine locked license for the Simulator Manager Host Platform, which is used in conjunction with a number of free Sink Systems.

 

 

How do I find the MAC Address of the Platform I wish to install on? - required to machine lock license

 

The license files used by the tools in the Codima Toolbox are linked to the MAC Address of the Platform you install the software on. To obtain the MAC Address of a Host Platform you should type  ipconfig/all from a DOS window.

 

The MAC Address is a 12 digit hex number, e.g., 00-07-E9-5A-77-DB

 

To get to a DOS window, click Start, then Run, then type cmd in the text box.

If Host Platform has multiple MAC Addresses, you need only to supply one for the license link.

 

DOS Window example:-

 

Alternatively you can make use of the automated facility to request a license upgrade, this facility automatically finds your MAC address.

 

Display showing interface used to request license upgrades:-

  

 

 

 

Deployment

The VoIP Simulation tool can be used prior to the VoIP phone deployment to measure the QoS over time and also after deployment allowing you to continue to monitor QoS in situations where the phones may not be in use or where the phones are not capable of providing QoS information (i.e., when they do not send out relevant RTCP frames).

For full information, see

 

Scalability

How many parallel Simulations can a single VoIP Simulation tool run?

How many network paths can be monitored in parallel?

The license controls the number of parallel Simulations that can be configured on the Simulator Manager Host Platform. For each Simulation, you will need to install a Sink System at the remote end of the path being monitored.

Display showing how a Simulator Manager Host Platform and multiple Sink System Host Platforms can be deployed to enable simulations to be run in parallel - in this example the license allows for 5 parallel simulations

The Simulation results provide you with long term Quality of Service information for the each of the paths being monitored.

 

Software Delivery and Software Updates

How do I get a copy of the Toolbox software need to operate the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch?

URLs to download software for all the components used by the VoIP Simulation tool are provided in the installation instructions attached to the license delivery email.

Should you need to obtain more copies of the free Sink software  you can use the url below:-

SOFTWARE FOR SINK SYSTEM 

 

This free software is part of the VoIP Simulation tool and can only operate if you have a machine locked license for the Simulator Manager Host Platform.

When installing and operating this tool you should refer to the Troubleshooting Guide and Check list - for autoVoIP Simulator tree branch:-

 

 

How do I get the latest software version?

 

You should set up your Host platform so that it is able to access to the Web. Then you can use the Automatic Installation Update facility. This will automatically tell you if there is an update to the system available. You will also need to be authorized to receive updates.

 

You can also use the Help Menu, where the option Check for Updates will open a Web page listing the available updates, which you can select to download.

 

For more information see Help entry titled:-

  • How to upgrade Software

 

Getting Started

Is there any guidance available to help me get started when using the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch ?

Yes there is, use the following reference documents:-

 

There is also the following check lists:-

 

Applications, Scope and Operations

Can I run multiple simulations in parallel?

Yes, you can run simulations over multiple paths in parallel and you can run multiple simulations over the same path using different codecs and/or different priority settings.

Display showing how Simulator Manager Host Platforms and Sink System Host Platforms can be deployed to enable multiple simulations to be run in parallel:-

Display showing deployment when multiple simulations are applied, each with a different codec setting :-

 

 

Can I run the Simulations continuously 24/7? 

Yes, this tool runs continuously to provide long term history statistics. It measures QoS at different points on the network.

 

Can I use the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch post VoIP deployment to measure long term QoS?

 

Yes - it can be used post deployment, see deployment diagram.

 

Can I use the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch on any VoIP network? - H323, SIP etc

The functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch operate solely using RTP/RTCP packets and as such can be used on any VoIP network to test QOS.

 

 

How are the results of running the simulations displayed?

 

The results of running specific simulations are shown in Simulator Manager display, see example below.

 

Result of running Simulation

 

Display showing the actions needed to access the Simulator Manager view and the Drill Down points:-

   

This tool can be used on all types of VoIP networks, as the Simulation function uses RTP and RTCP frames.

 

 

When would I use the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch?

What is the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch used for?

What does the VoIP Simulation tool do?

The VoIP Simulation tool uses the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch, it can be used for

 

Long term QoS measuring

The functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch are used to measure the QoS long term for different points on the network by simulating synthetic phone traffic.  

  • They provide a true VoIP simulator using real RTP frames, Toolbox uses identical frames and sends them consistently at same frame rate.

  • They operate in full duplex enabling the Toolbox to measure QoS upstream and downstream.

  • They are designed for continual operation, to provide History charts/HTML Reports covering QoS, % of lost frames, jitter and fine resolution delay.

 

The functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch can be used to measure QoS over time before and after VoIP phone deployment, allowing you to continue to monitor QoS in situations where the VoIP phones may not be in use or where the Phones are not capable of providing QoS information using RTCP.

 

Parallel QoS measuring 

  • Parallel Simulations to multiple locations to monitor QoS for the different paths on the network

The functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch can be used to measure the QoS achievable over time at different points on the network. This is done using multiple Sink systems.

  • Parallel Simulations to same location

The functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch can run different types of Simulators at the same time to the same location, enabling QoS to be measured when different Codecs and different Priority settings are used.

For more information on running Parallel Simulations, see FAQ titled:-

 

What are the Benefits of using the VoIP Simulation tool?

  • Measures QoS over network paths 24/7.

    • Can identify what the actual QoS is between different points on the network (flexible deployment options).

    • Can track the QoS continually, to allow for time specific variations in the network traffic over the course of a day/a week/a month.

    • Can measure QoS for both the upstream and downstream paths (Full Duplex).

  • Measures the impact on QoS when using different Codec and priority settings.

    • Can provide the information you need to ensure you are using the most suitable Codec for your network - used to achieve an acceptable QoS (Bandwidth v resilience to packet loss and minimum QoS level).

  • Evidence at your finger tips.

    • Reports covering the QOS on the paths can be automatically produced or produced on demand for selected time periods.

  • You can be proactive : QoS deterioration can be reported automatically via the Global Alarm System. Which uses multiple alarm reporting methods (SNMP traps, emails, SMS text messages) and has an embedded email client that is independent of the Networks own email facilities.

 

For more information review the Features and Benefits Video Tutorial for the VoIP Monitoring and Troubleshooting Toolbox:-

Click here to access the sign in page for the Tutorials:-

 

What Codec support is provided?

When using the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch, the Simulations you create can apply to a number of Codecs and additional Codecs can be added to the system easily. We just need to know the parameters used in the R or MOS value formula.

The support includes:-

See below for more information on Voice Codecs

Voice Codec

Codec is a piece of computer hardware or software used for the compression and/or decompression of digital media (most usually audio or video). QoS may be modeled mathematically from the Codec.

Here is a list of some of the voice codecs standards:-

Codec Algorithm Bit rate (K bits per second) Notes
G.711 PCM 64, 56 A ITU (International Telecommunications Union) standard for a narrow-band audio codec that encodes speech into a stream of 8 bit samples (or less frequently 7 bit samples) at 8khz. This creates a data stream at either 64kbps or 56kbps. G.711 uses a logarithmic mapping that emphasizes the parts of the signal that the human ear is most sensitive to. Uses pulse code modulation

There are two variants of G.711-

  • uLaw - Used with T1 and J1 connections
  • aLaw - used with E1 connections (Europe and Australia)

High quality, high bandwidth
G.723.1 ACELP 5.3 A ITU standard for a narrow-band audio codec that encodes speech into a stream of data frames that each represents 30ms (240 samples) of speech data. Each frame can be either 24 or 20 bytes long, which makes the data stream either 6.4kbps or 5.3kbps.

License fee to use this Codec commercially. 

Lower quality and < 10% of bandwidth used by G.711

(Less bandwidth = more delay)

Uses MP-MLQ (Multi-Pulse Maximum Likelihood Quantization)
G.723.1 MP-MLQ 6.3
G.726 ADPCM 40, 32, 24, 16 A ITU standard for a narrow-band audio codec that encodes speech into a stream of 2, 3, 4, or 5 bit samples - data stream = 16kbps, 24kbps, 32kbps, or 40kbps. 

Uses ADPCM (Adaptive differential pulse code modulation.
G.728 LD-CELP 16 A ITU standard for a narrow-band audio codec that encodes speech into a stream of 10 bit frames that each represent 5 samples - data stream  = 16kbps. License fee to use this Codec commercially. 

Uses LD-CELP ( Low-delay code excited linear prediction)
G.729 CS-ACELP 8 A ITU standard for a narrow-band audio codec that encodes speech into a stream of data frames that each represent 10ms (80 samples) of speech data. Each frame is 10 bytes - data stream = 8kbps. License fee to use this Codec commercially. 

Uses CS-ACELP (Conjugate-structure algebraic-code-excited linear prediction speech coder)
GSM 06.10 PCM 13.2

A narrow-band audio codec that encodes speech into a stream of data frames that each represent 20ms (160 samples) of speech data. Each frame is 264 bits, giving a data stream of 13.2kbps.

  

 

 

 

What is a Simulator?

A Simulator is used in VoIP Simulation. It is a user defined configuration covering the traffic to be simulated.

Display showing Simulator configuration:-

 

What type of simulation can I do?

 

The VoIP Simulation tool can run different types of Simulators at the same time to the same location, enabling QoS to be measured when different Codecs and different Priority settings are used.

 

This can be done prior to deploying your VoIP system and also post deployment to provide a means of maintaining long term history on the QoS achieved.

 

What type of Traffic is sent out on to the network when using the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch?

RTP (the voice payload) or RTCP (Reports covering QoS).

 

 

 

- Reports :-

 

What are the benefits of using the Reports Manager? - when using the VoIP Simulation tool

 

The key benefit is it that this tool provides you with evidence at your finger tips. Producing a wide range of Reports that can be used to show both network trends and isolate problems. The VoIP Simulation tool includes:-

 

For more on the Reports Manager tool - see FAQs - Reports Manager

 

 

What kind of reports are available to show results of the running the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch?

 

HTML Reports created using information in History Charts

Pre defined Statistical Reports - accessible via the Reports Manager tree branch, these reports can be produced as HTML Reports or scheduled as daily, weekly, monthly Word reports.

 

For additional information, see FAQ - Reports Manager 

 

- Alarm Reporting/Trap issue :-

 

What are the Benefits of using the Global Alarm System?

 

 

Can I have alarm reports automatically emailed to me?

Can I set SNMP Traps?

Can I set threshold alarms?

 

Yes. This tool uses a Global Alarm System to log and report Threshold alarms. The Global Alarm System can be set up to apply one or more of the following actions

• Log the alarm report
• Send out an SNMP Trap when a threshold value is breached (goes above threshold setting) or when a value drops (goes below threshold setting).
• Send a notification email when a threshold value is breached (goes above threshold setting) or when a value drops (goes below threshold setting).
 

For detailed information on this facility, see Help entries titled

 

 

- Probes

Can I use Probes as Sink Systems?

The use of Codima Toolbox Probes as Sink Systems is not recommended.

For information on the Sink Systems, see:-

For information on Remote Management and Probes, see

 

 

 

- VoIP Technology :-

What are MOS and R values?§

MOS (mean opinion score : standard - P80) is a Metric intended to convey User Experience of Phone Conversation in a single number

§R-value (standard – G107) is an objective measurement calculated directly from measurements of packet loss, jitter and delay. It also has a strong correlation with the MOS value.

What is meant by QoS?

This term applies to a system used to provide different prioritization levels for different types of traffic over a network. Protocols used to achieve the required quality of service, including the RSVP, VLAN Priority, IP DiffServ.

For example, VoIP or streaming Video should have a higher priority than Mail traffic, as the consequences of interrupting Voice traffic or streaming Video are more obvious than slowing down Mail traffic.

Four Key parameters to determine QoS are:-

 

QoS is subjective as measured by experimentation with human listeners - SUBJECTIVE QoS

QoS may be modeled mathematically from Codec, %loss/delay to predict - OBJECTIVE QoS

These two should be similar –That is the challenge of the Mathematical Model to predict subjective QoS accurately.
 
Codecs cope with Jitter by using a Time Delay Q called a Jitter Buffer. This imposes a delay but allows Jitter up to this maximum to be ironed out. Packets outside the delay are counted as LOST - Long QoS. Jitter buffers eat into the delay budget but are more robust to jitter (and subsequent packet loss). So recently Dynamic Jitter buffers are being used to auto adjust to actual Jitter and minimize delay.
 
Delay comes from the Codec, it is substantial for compressing Codecs like 723 (not 711) and serialising Voice Samples into a RTP Packet. Network Queues in routers (usually at Edge Router), Distance due to speed of Light/Electricity in cables.
 
So lots of interdependent things eat into the Delay Budget. Using a High Compression Codecs saves HUGE bandwidth but makes system more fragile and Network QoS dependent.
§

 

Support/Troubleshooting

Can I have a check list to cover what is needed to successfully operate the functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch?

 

Yes, click below to obtain Check list/Troubleshooting Guide:- 

 

 

How will the Toolbox handle Firewalls?

Host Platforms and network firewalls need to be unblocked to allow the applications to run correctly, you will need to:-

  • Ensure that Firewalls between Simulator Manager Host Platform and  Sink System is configured to pass the type of traffic being generated by the VoIP Simulation tool.

See check list

If I have problems when using functions accessible via the autoVoIP Simulator tree branch what evidence do I need to supply?

Click below to obtain a hard copy of the evidence requirements for the Toolbox.

 

How do I check that the Toolbox Host Platform is correctly configured to enable me to monitor traffic?

If you wish to monitor the frames being sent and received by the Toolbox, you will need to use an independent system, i.e., you can not use the functions accessible via the autoAnalyzer tree branch on the same Host Platform that is generating the blaster traffic. You can either use a separate Host Platform with the Toolbox installed or you can use other protocol analysis tools such as Wireshark®.

 

However if you just want to view other network traffic, you can configure and deploy the Toolbox for passive and active options. See :-

The Host Platforms Network Adapter(s) must be correctly configured and connected to the network to monitor and transmit traffic.

 

Microsoft® Patch level

What is the latest Microsoft® Patch level that the Codima Toolbox software been tested with?

The process of testing with Microsoft® patches is an ongoing one, latest level tested is as follows :-

  • Windows XP Service Pack 3

  • Windows 2003 Server SP 2

  • Windows Vista SP1

  • Window Server 2008 SP1

  • Windows 7

    •

 

 

 

Copyright/Disclaimer

Copyright ©2011 Codima Inc. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior consent of Codima Inc.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Codima Inc. Codima Inc. reserves the right to revise or change this document without obligation of Codima Inc. to notify any person of the revision or changes. Information in this document is believed to be accurate at the time of publication but no liability whatsoever can be accepted by Codima Inc. arising out of the use of this information. Also, this document could include typographical errors or technical inaccuracies.
Any trademarks or trade names owned or registered by any other company and used in this document are the property of their respective companies