If you’re considering an IP Telephony solution, but are not sure whether your current network infrastructure can support your requirements, NEC can help.
Don't spend $1000’s on a consultant to tell you that your network isn’t up to scratch, when you can access this service from NEC at no charge.
Across your local area network or even a wide area network, NEC’s remote IP Telephony Readiness Assessment will help you understand the current state of your network, and its ability to support a converged IP telephony (IPT) environment.
The IPT readiness assessment provides an invaluable way for you to evaluate your existing network infrastructure and applications to verify that you’re ready for an IP telephony solution which aligns appropriately with your business and network requirements.
NOTE: Initial service is supplied at no charge; any subsequent or additional services may attract an additional fee. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions.
An invaluable way for you to evaluate your existing network infrastructure
Minimum requirements
The Agent Host Machine should meet the following minimum specifications:
- Operating System:
+ Windows: XP SP1 and up; Server 2003; 2000 SP4 and up.
+ Linux: Red Hat 9.0; Red Hat WS 3 / ES3.
- Processor: Pentium 3 800 MHz and up or Pentium M processor
- Memory: 256Mb RAM
- Disk Space: 200Mb (Agent Installation files ~ 70Mb)
- Web browser and the installation of Java plug-in version 1.4.1 or later. It is recommended to use version 1.4.2_03.
Network IP Port 4445 must be open for each Agent Host Machine IP Address on the customer site back to the NEC Proxy, in addition to standard internet (http / https) access
Customers should leave the Agent (called NetRegard) running until advised the Evaluation is complete by NEC, or NEC stops it remotely. Therefore it is important that the host machine running the agent is not restarted during this time.
If there is a Windows firewall or other software firewall (eg Zone Alarm, Norton Personal Firewall etc) installed on the host machine may effect the ability to download or execute the test, please refer to the instructions below
Software firewalls
The Windows firewall will block traffic to the NetRegard agent once the VoIP Evaluation Sessions has begun asking if you want to allow traffic (over port 4445). An Alert pops up and there are two options presented:
1) Keep blocking the traffic
2) Unblock
You must allow the traffic to pass through for the test to be successful.
Security
The username and password supplied to the customer to access and initialise agents, can only be utilised once for the test. Subsequent tests will require a new password.
Agent download time
Agent download may take in excess of five minutes. The Agent window may look unresponsive. Please note that this is a normal occurrence.
NEC’s Terms and Conditions of testing
1) NEC will conduct the evaluation at no charge to the Customer
2) The Customer acknowledges and agrees:
a) That the results obtained from the testing and evaluation are only considered as a guide to a networks ability to support VoIP;
b) Adverse conditions, environmental impacts and other network events that may not be present during the testing can affect the actual performance of the network;
c) That NEC utilises software to conduct the testing and evaluation of the Customer’s network. Usage of the software does not guarantee the accuracy of information provided and NEC accepts no responsibility or liability for any consequences arising from the use of such software;
d) The Network Evaluation report only provides indicative results , and further investigation and assessment of the network needs to be conducted for a true IP readiness assessment. Hence, the report should not be used as the sole decision making criteria in VoIP deployment.
3) NEC will only provide testing for one (1) network link at no charge. If the Customer requires additional tests or a comprehensive network analysis to be conducted, NEC will charge the Customer for conducting such an analysis at NEC’s then standard rates
4) The Customer acknowledges and agrees that conducting the test during business hours may result in the introduction of additional network traffic into the end users network environment. NEC will not be held liable for any adverse affects upon the customer’s network from conducting the test during business hours.