By Charlene O'Hanlon

Apparent Networks has expanded its line of remote performance management solutions beyond Layer 3 with a cloud-based family of modules that test the capability and performance of Layer 4 traffic on the corporate network.

The first release in the AppView family is AppView Voice, a module that can test a networks ability to handle VoIP traffic by simulating hundreds of streams of calls simultaneously over the network. The module is designed for companies interested in VoIP but dont know whether their networks can handle the increased traffic, as well as companies that already have VoIP deployed and want to know how well their network is performing, said Jim Melvin, Apparent Networks CEO.

Before now all our technology was geared toward understanding how well the Layer 3 network is ready to meet the needs of the service. Now were bringing to the table the capability to send live voice packets on the network prior to deploying VoIP gear,” he said.

AppView Voice is part of the newly announced AppView line of application-specific preassessment modules for voice, video, Web traffic and storage backup to begin that generate and analyze application traffic on a companys network. The modules demonstrate the effect the application has on the network and vice versa, at both remote and local sites.

AppView is a complementary technology to Apparent Networks PathView Layer 3 preassessment solution, Melvin said, giving users a unique perspective on the performance of multiple network layers at once. We have always focused on a next-generation approach to understanding networking and application management, and we have continued to refine our offerings. PathView is a relatively new offering that has simplified the ability for channel partners to get started. There is no other solution in the market for preassessment, and thats where partners get the most value.”

MSPs, in particular, can derive value in the AppView solution, he said. If youre an MSP delivering voice to a company with multiple locations, chances are that company is trying to streamline costs by using VoIP, and all the apps are dependent on the underlying network,” Melvin said. This is an active approach to understanding actual network performance, which can help the MSP customers save money.”

And because it is an active technology, users can see how the network is affected immediately, in real time, and however the network is configured. We can tell you not only how Layer 3 is impacted, but now also the voice traffic.

Customers want to know how much traffic can go over their networks and how much is actually making it through,” he continued. This solution tells you that so you can determine whether you need to reconfigure your network. Thats the stuff customers see and say, I never knew I could get this type of information.”

AppView Voice is available for free for 90 days to current PathView users, Melvin said. Other modules in the AppView family are expected to be released by the end of the calendar year.