VoIP Availability Manager provides the framework for managing the availability of VoIP networks and VoIP applications. The installation of the following enablement packs extends this functionality to networks that include Avaya, Cisco, and Nortel devices:

  • VMware Smart Assurance Enablement Pack for Avaya (Avaya Enablement Pack)

  • VMware Smart Assurance Enablement Pack for Cisco (Cisco Enablement Pack)

  • VMware Smart Assurance Enablement Pack for Nortel (Nortel Enablement Pack)

    In this release, VoIP Availability Manager also monitors the performance of Avaya, Cisco, and Nortel VoIP networks and VoIP applications.

    The installation of the VMware Smart Assurance VoIP Integration Pack for VoIP Performance Manager (VoIP Performance Manager Integration Pack) and the VoIP Performance Manager extend this functionality to networks that include Avaya, Cisco, and Nortel devices.

    Working in conjunction with VMware Smart Assurance IP Availability Manager (IP Availability Manager), VoIP Availability Manager discovers and monitors devices and critical VoIP applications; diagnoses hardware and application failures; and reports the results of its analysis to the VMware Smart Assurance Service Assurance Manager (Global Manager). It correlates and analyzes the alarms generated as a result of a hardware or application failure, pinpoints the source of the failure, and identifies all managed applications affected by the failure. This functionality allows users of VoIP Availability Manager to address the failed hardware or software promptly and to dismiss all other alarms as symptoms.

    Working in conjunction with IP Availability Manager and VoIP Performance Manager (through the VoIP Performance Manager Integration Pack), VoIP Availability Manager also monitors the performance of VoIP networks and applications that deliver VoIP services, and automates the analysis of faults using performance thresholds. Faults can occur in logical components (VoIP clusters, IP phone groups, port networks) and in services (Call Managers, voice mail). When a performance threshold is exceeded, VoIP Availability Manager generates a performance exception notification.

    In addition, if Business Impact Manager Integration is enabled, VoIP Availability Manager associates VoIP objects with Business objects by using the BIM model. VoIP Availability Manager exports these objects to the Global Manager for subsequent impact analysis by Business Impact Manager. Business Impact Manager automatically determines how events affect business services and their customers, and reports the results of its analysis to the VMware Smart Assurance Service Assurance Manager.

    The Business objects and applicable VoIP vendors are described in “Identifying VoIP Objects and Their Failures” on page 43.

    Integration with Business Impact Manager is optional and is described in the VMware Smart Assurance VoIP Availability Manager Configuration Guide.

    The VMware Smart Assurance Business Impact Manager User Guide provides complete information about ServiceOffering and ServiceSubscriber classes, Business maps, customizations with Topology Builder, impact calculation, and weight assignment.