ActionPacked! LiveAction IP SLA

Overview:

LiveAction IP SLA is a software module that makes Cisco IOS IP service level agreement (SLA) operations easily accessible for generating synthetic network traffic to monitor latency, loss, jitter, and mean opinion core (MOS) for VoIP.

LiveAction SLA is part of the LiveAction software framework that enables IT engineers at all experience levels to perform advanced Cisco device operations quickly and easily on live networks. Its highly interactive graphical interface delivers the full functionality and flexibility of the device features without the need to learn and use Cisco device command lines

About Cisco IOS IP SLA

Cisco IOS IP SLA is a capability embedded in most devices that run Cisco IOS software. Its service-level assurance metrics and methodology allow users to increase network reliability by verifying service guarantees with precise service-level assurance measurements. IP SLA can validate network performance, proactively identify network issues, and simplify the deployment of new IP services.

Cisco IOS IP SLAs generate synthetic test traffic in a continuous, reliable, and predictable manner to enable accurate measurement of network performance. This traffic can be sent across the network to measure performance among multiple network locations or across multiple network paths. IP SLA uses timestamp information to facilitate the calculation of performance metrics such as jitter, latency, network, and server response times, packet loss, and mean opinion score.

LiveAction IP SLA chart showing graphical view of real-time test data as well as test properties in tabular format.

LiveAction automatically generates a live topology view showing data paths of IP SLA test traffic. The software displays routers as larger diameter circles and interfaces as smaller diameter circles.

Benefits:

• Ease of use—LiveAction makes Cisco IP SLA easy to use. An intuitive graphical interface replaces complicated command lines making on-the-fly test configuration and execution easy and understandable.
• Improved efficiency—Reduces time required for network deployment, maintenance and training while improving network availability.
• Built-In IP SLA expertise—LiveAction IP SLA is based on Cisco best practices and an extensive knowledgebase of the IP SLA features and functions of Cisco devices.
• Rich visualizations—LiveAction provides graphical views of latency, loss, jitter, and MOS over IP SLA. It also displays real-time topological views and test status as well as test results plotted historically on a timeline.
• Test traffic generation—Generates and sends synthetic test traffic from the router for measuring network performance. Enables detailed editing of test configurations to simulate complex traffic patterns.
• Interactive—Start, stop, and edit traffic tests in real time.
• Non-disruptive—LiveAction IP SLA is a software-based solution that requires no physical topology changes or service interruptions to install.
• Exceptional ROI—LiveAction QoS takes full advantage of existing features built into Cisco devices significantly reducing the need to purchase separate test networks and hardware-based test equipment including external traffic generators, far end-point probes, and analyzers.

Features:

• Latency, loss, jitter, and MOS performance measurements
• Test Types: HTTP, Jitter, Echo, UDP Echo
• Traffic type configuration
• Protocol type: over 10 protocol types
• DHCP: dest., source, circuit ID, remote ID, subnet mask
• Test frequency setting
• Jitter test parameters—VoIP CODEC simulation • (G.711 ulaw, G.711 alaw, G.729a)
  • Mode: active or passive
  • Packet priority: normal or high
  • Precision: in microseconds or milliseconds
• IP SLA topology view (real-time)
  • Multiple colors for visualization
  • Loss indicators
  • Normal and above-threshold indicators
  • Lists of running tests (indicating source, type, status)
• Quick and full test options
• Set up responder at destination
• Start/Stop traffic tests
• Edit, save, delete test configurations
• Export results to CSV file
• Historical reporting (live update averages over timeline)
  • Variable sampling rates: from 10 sec. to 5 min.
  • Latency: milliseconds over time, μs for jitter
  • Loss: number of dropped packets
  • VoIP MOS score range: 1-

ScreenShots:

Topology view of showing IP SLA traffic paths. Line colors: green=normal, amber=packet loss red=error

IP SLA tests are easy to set up whether you want detailed test parameters or to use the Quick Test option

IP SLA tests can be run manually or scheduled to run and repeat automatically.

Test status can be displayed in tabular form and also exported to a CSV file.

Technical Specifications:

Devices Supported

• Cisco series routers—800, 1800, 2600, 2600XM, 2800, 3600, 3700, 3800, 7200, 7600 (IOS 12.3, 12.4)
• Cisco Catalyst switches—3900, 4500, 6500 series

LiveAction Technology Module Options with Routing
The following are available for 10, 25, 50, or 100 devices

• Master suite: QoS, NetFlow, Routing, IP SLA

System Requirements

• Network connection
• Operating system: Windows (Server 2003, XP, or Vista)
• CPU: Pentium 4 class, 1 GHz minimum, 2-3 GHz dual- or quad-core recommended
• System RAM 1 GB minimum—2-4 GB recommended
• Disk space: 100 MB to install—20 GB recommended

Warranty and Support

• 90 day warranty and support including free upgrades
• Online technical support
• Annual software maintenance plans available

Documentation:

Download the ActionPacked LiveAction IP SLA Datasheet (PDF).