Fluke Networks today announced the availability of NetAlly VoIP Assessment and Troubleshooting Software, version 7.0. This new software package helps eliminate risk associated with deploying or expanding VoIP services by assessing the current state of the network and previewing the service before it is deployed on that network. Assessing the network, a requirement of many leading IP PBX manufacturers, makes VoIP deployments faster, more successful and less costly by reducing post-deployment troubleshooting.

As stated in the Gartner Research Report Ignore IP Telephony Network Assessments at Your Own Risk, “The introduction of Internet Protocol (IP) telephony impacts the enterprise data network; however, despite numerous discussions of this, some enterprises and integrators still do not perform proper predeployment assessments of the enterprise network. This often leads to unplanned additional costs or deployment delays. Properly performed network assessments are mandatory to reduce this risk.”¹

NetAlly software can shorten installation time periods by performing proper network assessments, detecting deficiencies in the network and pinpointing where corrective actions and fine-tuning need to take place. NetAlly offers users an accurate preview of the VoIP service as it will be delivered over a production IP network. Unlike network simulation software, NetAlly generates traffic over the actual network and provides responses based on real-world measurements.

IT professionals can use NetAlly to determine if there is sufficient network capacity to support a proposed VoIP project. NetAlly will discover the network devices and verify that QoS is enabled. The software will also calculate how many simultaneous VoIP calls can be supported and determine expected MOS quality at various levels of usage. Service levels by location and by time of day can be collected and documented. The user can then adjust device settings and/or QoS configurations to reach the expected level of service.

The NetAlly Test Center user interface runs on Fluke Networks’ OptiView Integrated Network Analyzer. This gives the user the ability to define tests, change test parameters and view results from anywhere on the network, combined with OptiView’s enterprise-wide vision and VoIP-specific diagnostics. The new version of NetAlly will also run independently on a stand-alone server. NetAlly version 7.0 is the result of Fluke Networks’ acquisition of key technology from Viola Networks, announced in August 2008.

Product Availability

NetAlly VoIP Assessment and Troubleshooting Software version 7.0 is available for immediate delivery through Fluke Networks’ sales channels worldwide.

About Fluke Networks

Fluke Networks provides innovative solutions for the installation and certification, testing, monitoring and analysis of copper, fiber and wireless networks used by enterprises and telecommunications carriers. The company's comprehensive line of Network SuperVision™ Solutions provide network installers, owners, and maintainers with superior vision, combining speed, accuracy and ease of use to optimize network performance. Headquartered in Everett, Washington, the company distributes its products in more than 50 countries. More information can be found by visiting Fluke Networks’ Web site at www.flukenetworks.com or by calling (800) 283-5853.

¹ Gartner, Inc. “Ignore IP Telephony Network Assessments at Your Own Risk" by Bjarne Munch (March 10, 2009, 164490)