Deployment of VoIP, VoFR, VPN Environments
WESTFORD, Mass., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- NetScout Systems (Nasdaq: NTCT)
today announced the availability of NSP version 5.1 firmware, which includes
support for Voice-over-IP (VoIP), Voice-over-Frame-Relay (VoFR) and Virtual
Private Networking (VPN). With this release, support for IPSec, the Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard that defines IP-centric tunneling and
encryption, and Generic Routing Protocol (GRE) for VPN tunneling are also
being introduced. These enhancements are being delivered in anticipation of
the increased reliance that companies will place on integrating voice, video
and data communications in order to reduce costs and improve chances for
success in the new Internet economy.
"Real-time, continuous monitoring helps to raise the potential and extend
the life of deployed networks. Once armed with the broad, in-depth performance
information gathered by NetScout probes, network managers and architects are
better able to cope with the impact of changes such as converged voice and
data traffic," explained Michael Szabados, senior vice president of product
operations, NetScout Systems. "Many of our customers have indicated they look
forward to help in deploying and managing VoIP. It is through enhancements
such as these that we ensure growth in the demand for our products, as well as
continued, increased value in the investments customers have already made in
them."
In addition to adding voice and video monitoring, NSP v5.1 contains
expanded offerings for URL traffic monitoring, WAN and ATM environments. The
enhancements broaden the availability of functions for select probes and
increase scalability.
"The expanded support for fully-meshed ATM services allows us to extend
robust monitoring capabilities over the WAN," said Johnny Busby, Senior
Network Engineer, Getronics. "It also enables us - in the face of increasingly
higher capacity infrastructures - to scale those services dynamically to meet
end-user demand."
NSP v5.1 firmware includes the following major enhancements:
Voice-over-Internet Protocol
NSP v5.1 adds support for monitoring RTP/RTCP (Real-Time Transport
Protocol/RTP Control Protocol) VoIP traffic based on H.323 signaling (H.245,
H.225, Q931, etc.). It allows for analysis of the signaling and tracking of
the protocols to appropriately monitor each H.323 session. NSP v5.1 also
distinguishes between audio and video streams.
Voice-over-Frame Relay
NSP v5.1 enables optimization of voice traffic over a frame relay network
via monitoring of throughput and determination of the hosts that are
transmitting voice.
Virtual Private Network
NSP v5.1 introduces support for companies maximizing their infrastructure
investment through VPN. With this release, support for IPSec, the Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard that defines IP-centric tunneling and
encryption, and Generic Routing Protocol (GRE) for VPN tunneling are also
being introduced.
HTTP Content Response Time MIB
NSP v5.1 extends NetScout's new HTTP Content-Response Time (CRT) MIB to
additional probes. CRT MIB allows network managers to monitor the performance
of mission-critical Web applications and proactively correct Web site and
network conditions that could impede or interrupt service at the URL level.
Upgrades for content response time monitoring is extended to all ATM and
nGenius Probes(TM) in addition to series 74xx, 82xx, 84xx, 87xx, 88xx and 89xx
high-end probes.
WAN Enhancements
NSP v5.1 increases the number of Data Link Connection Identifiers (DLCIs)
from 256 to 440, nearly doubling the number of logical connections supported
in a frame relay network.
ATM Enhancements
NSP v5.1 increases the number of Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs) from 20
to 150, giving customers the ability to define more channels for alerting and
analysis by their nGenius(TM) software.
Support and Availability
The new firmware is available March 2, 2001. Customers with MasterCare
Services will automatically receive upgrades to NSP v.5.1, in accordance with
their service agreements. Customers without a MasterCare support contract may
order upgrades (one upgrade must be ordered per probe) through their sales
representative.
About NetScout Systems
NetScout Systems, Inc. is the leading provider of infrastructure
performance management solutions for leading companies and service providers
worldwide. NetScout serves approximately half of the Fortune 500 and counts
among its customers 3M Corporation, Amazon.com, AT&T Wireless, Bristol-Myers
Squibb, Cable & Wireless, Cisco Systems, Computer Sciences Corporation, Exenet
Technologies, Fidelity Investments, Intel Online, MCI, Reed Elsevier, Sprint,
Sun Microsystems and Webhire.
NetScout's nGenius (TM) Performance Management System is a market-leading
suite of monitoring and reporting applications that draw on rich, integrated
performance data generated by NetScout's application-aware probes, advanced
intelligent software agents, and network devices. NetScout's products help
organizations increase their return on infrastructure investments by
optimizing the performance of their network and its ability to deliver
applications and content to end-users. NetScout is headquartered in Westford,
Massachusetts and has approximately 350 employees, with offices in North
America, Europe and Asia. Further information on the company is available on
the World Wide Web at www.netscout.com
NetScout is a registered trademark, and the NetScout logo, nGenius,
nGenius Real-Time Monitor, nGenius Probe are trademarks of NetScout Systems,
Inc.
SOURCE NetScout Systems
Web site: http: //www.netscout.com
CONTACT: Peggy Flynn, 978-614-4162, flynnp@netscout.com, or Kristen Bala, 978-614-6037, balak@netscout.com, both of NetScout Systems; or Ed Daly, 617-351-4161, edaly@miller.shandwick.com, or Chris Penesis, 617-351-4119, cpenesis@miller.shandwick.com, both of Miller/Shandwick Technologies