Agilent, Ellacoya unveil control solution for IP networks

Agilent Technologies Inc. and IP service control provider Ellacoya networks Inc. have announced the availability of a joint solution for monitoring, managing and controlling broadband IP networks.

According to the press release, the solution combines Ellacoya's deep packet inspection (DPI) technology, which identifies and classifies service use and performance information at gigabit rates, with Agilent's deep packet analysis (DPA) technology, which monitors and manages key services, to optimize network planning, improve troubleshooting and deliver service assurance to multi-service IP networks.

The companies have entered into a worldwide agreement under which Agilent has become an OEM of Ellacoya's IP service control system. Agilent will integrate Ellacoya's system with its portfolio of IP solutions. The joint solution initially supports VoIP for wireline and wireless service providers, with support for video, gaming and IP data services in future releases. The integrated solution will enable the deployment of a single monitoring and control solution for all IP-based services, the companies said.

"Whether service providers want to offer their own branded services or partner with third-party content and application providers, the need for comprehensive service assurance is critical. The integrated solution from Agilent and Ellacoya provides the only single solution to efficiently deliver quality-assured VoIP today, and quadruple-play services in the future, based on any business model," said Gerald Wesel, chairman and CEO of Ellacoya Networks.

Ellacoya's DPI technology enables service providers to categorize all users and all services, all the time; it inspects all application traffic with patented methods and extracts a subset for further analysis. Agilent's DPA analyzes this information to report on application-specific features or traffic patterns for selected users and services. In-context drill-down into the signaling messages enables rapid troubleshooting. The integrated solution also enables the ability to control traffic based on DPI or DPA findings, so service providers can provide higher bandwidth and service levels to users of premium services.

"Ellacoya's proven and innovative IP service control solution has the class-leading performance and scalability necessary to capture and distill the vast service-quality data from IP networks," said Tom Walls, VP of Agilent's Assurance Solutions Division. "Using this rich data source, Agilent's assureME measured experience solutions provide unparalleled visibility into service usage and performance and enable rapid troubleshooting of service issues."