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Telcoms Focus
Northwestern University Turns to Service Assurance: A Case Study
How network administrators verify and measure quality and performance of NU's next-generation IP network and services
9/12/2007
As we ready buildings for IP telephony services, we install a Brix Verifier at the location to test and monitor performance and network quality to the building. This testing is an important qualification measure to prove quality and performance will meet expectations.
BrixWorx collects the information generated from this continual testing into reports that show a Mean Opinion Score (MOS), which represents a level of call quality. By measuring key performance indicators (KPIs) and MOS thresholds, the application notifies our IT operations group when the network is outside specifications. With integration of the application into our network management system, the operations group receives alerts to quickly identify issues and take the necessary corrective course of action.
We've recently finished the initial phase of the VoIP deployment project during which we qualified the network to support IP telephony services. The network is now being used to provide traditional phone services to targeted users, and we'll soon begin rolling out IP phones to all users in manageable phases.
In the next phase of the project, we will begin installing SIP-enabled phones throughout the university to those members of the community who want to use advanced features. Northwestern has chosen to standardize on SIP for its communications services to offer more advanced IP-enabled services, such as video conferencing and presence capabilities.
As we continue to upgrade our network and roll out new IP-based services, it is imperative we constantly provide a quality user experience to our students, faculty, and staff. By adopting a strategic service assurance approach that is pervasive, continuous, and comprehensive, we now have an effective means to measure, monitor, and assure the quality and performance of our converged services.
David Carr is director of telecommunications and network services at Northwestern University.
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