asterisk users - Apr 2004 - Software to test a LAN for possible VoIP Install

Aloha,

Does anyone know of any opensource or inexpensive software that can test a
network for a possible VoIP installation?

I have seen Chariot by NetIQ, but it is very costly!

I am envisioning two or three "client" devices that talk to a server
device.
Each client could simulate 1-100 VoIP phone calls.  The server module would
monitor the QOS, jitter, etc., and provide some kind of score.

Aloha,
Matt

> Does anyone know of any opensource or inexpensive software that can test a
> network for a possible VoIP installation?
inexpensive is the key there appear to be a lot of expensive tools :)
you might try http://dast.nlanr.net/Projects/Iperf/
note when using this tool with the
--udp option you should use -l
and set the packet size based on the codec payload
and the control overhead if testing to simulate IAX2
I believe iax2 packet size is 12 bytes + codec payload
at gsm = 33 bytes, g723 = 27 bytes
http://dast.nlanr.net/Projects/Iperf/iperfdocs_1.7.0.html

> I have seen Chariot by NetIQ, but it is very costly!
>
> I am envisioning two or three "client" devices that talk to a
server
device.
> Each client could simulate 1-100 VoIP phone calls.  The server module
would
> monitor the QOS, jitter, etc., and provide some kind of score.

> > Does anyone know of any opensource or inexpensive software that can
test
a
> > network for a possible VoIP installation?
> inexpensive is the key there appear to be a lot of expensive tools :)
> you might try http://dast.nlanr.net/Projects/Iperf/

This looks very good!  It has all the options I was looking for; even runs
on Win32...good for all my old laptops sitting around.

Thanks,
Matt

> Does anyone know of any opensource or inexpensive software that can test a
> network for a possible VoIP installation?
> 
> I have seen Chariot by NetIQ, but it is very costly!
> 
> I am envisioning two or three "client" devices that talk to a
server device.
> Each client could simulate 1-100 VoIP phone calls.  The server module would
> monitor the QOS, jitter, etc., and provide some kind of score.
Matt,

One of the primary disruptions for VoIP (from any company) is discarded
and/or delayed packets. You don't need expensive test equipment to determine
if a customer's network is dropping packets. Just go do a full network
discovery and a baseline that includes the primary business hours, and
look at the stats.

On the other hand, my wife and I have been talking about another trip to
your area. Maybe I can help???

Rich