Abstract: A system visualizes and generates reports from stored data, concerning various measured parameters related to a network carrying call traffic. The network is displayed in an easily recognized arrangement, with various parameters being indicated by different shapes and colors for each device on the network. The parameters are changed to indicate the status of the network at different times. More detailed information about a parameter, a device or a path between devices may be obtained simply using a mouse or keystrokes. A variety of different types of detailed displays allows the operator to troubleshoot problems in the network.

Abstract: A system discovers the topology of devices in a network, such as all of the layer-2 and layer-3 devices, including routers and switches. The devices are mapped, as well as the links that join them. The devices are polled using SNMP requests. Route tables are derived from each router to determine addresses of the devices. A spanning tree process is used to discover layer-2 devices. Connections between layers are then discovered. Where information is incomplete, an undiscovered router cloud is recognized.

Abstract: A call processing system, which may include multiple distributed call center sites, utilizes a local back-off approach to endpoint registration. The call processing system comprises a plurality of endpoints and at least a first server, wherein the endpoints register with the first server in order to send and receive calls in the call processing system. Responsive to an end-to-end connectivity failure or other designated event, a registration process is initiated in the call processing system for a given one of the endpoints. The issuance of at least one message of the sequence for the given endpoint is controlled so as to provide a local random back-off or other local back-off of the controlled message at that endpoint. For example, a second server implemented as an aggregation server may be operative to control the issuance of messages by the endpoints so as to provide a local random back-off for each of the plurality of endpoints by staggering the delivery of failure notifications to the endpoints.

Abstract: A new method is provided for establishing real-time services that can coexist with NAT and firewalls, even when the signaling protocol uses cryptography. A communication channel between the call server and the middlebox passes information between them about the bearer channels associated with each signaling session.

Abstract: A system for monitoring traffic on a network first discovers the network so as to map the various devices and links in the network. Statistics are then gathered from various points in the network relating to quality of service, and especially loads on the network devices. Synthetic calls are generated at selected points of the network while monitoring the network. This data is then stored and displayed in a manner that is easy for the operator to analyze, with more detailed displays being available through the use of a mouse or keystrokes.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improved monitoring and analysis of VoIP communications, multimedia communications or other types of network traffic in a network-based communication system. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an endpoint device of the system includes an integrated call synthesis capability. More particularly, the endpoint device is configurable into at least a first mode of operation in which the device responds to one or more commands from a testing server of the system directing the device to participate in a synthetic call or other test communication within the system, and a second mode of operation in which the device is utilizable by a system user to establish an actual communication. Other aspects of the invention relating to kernel timestamping and timestamp post-processing provide improved accuracy for measurements such as jitter, loss and delay.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improved monitoring and analysis of VoIP communications, multimedia communications or other types of network traffic in a network-based communication system. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an endpoint device of the system includes an integrated call synthesis capability. More particularly, the endpoint device is configurable into at least a first mode of operation in which the device responds to one or more commands from a testing server of the system directing the device to participate in a synthetic call or other test communication within the system, and a second mode of operation in which the device is utilizable by a system user to establish an actual communication. Other aspects of the invention relating to kernel timestamping and timestamp post-processing provide improved accuracy for measurements such as jitter, loss and delay.

Abstract: A system discovers the topology of devices in a network, such as all of the layer-2 and layer-3 devices, including routers and switches. The devices are mapped, as well as the links that join them. The devices are polled using SNMP requests. Route tables are derived from each router to determine addresses of the devices. A spanning tree process is used to discover layer-2 devices. Connections between layers are then discovered. Where information is incomplete, an undiscovered router cloud is recognized.

Abstract: A system visualizes and generates reports from stored data, concerning various measured parameters related to a network carrying call traffic. The network is displayed in an easily recognized arrangement, with various parameters being indicated by different shapes and colors for each device on the network. The parameters are changed to indicate the status of the network at different times. More detailed information about a parameter, a device or a path between devices may be obtained simply using a mouse or keystrokes. A variety of different types of detailed displays allows the operator to troubleshoot problems in the network.

Abstract: A system for monitoring traffic on a network first discovers the network so as to map the various devices and links in the network. Statistics are then gathered from various points in the network relating to quality of service, and especially loads on the network devices. Synthetic calls are generated at selected points of the network while monitoring the network. This data is then stored and displayed in a manner that is easy for the operator to analyze, with more detailed displays being available through the use of a mouse or keystrokes.