Server Side Options

VisualRoute Server  

Fig 1

1. Test a Connection - Allows the user to identify poor connection quality and performance a connection across the Internet or Intranet. More Info.

2. Plot Connectivity Quality - Allows the user to continuously plot a connections performance and quality over time to solve persistent and intermittent problems. More Info.

3. Database Reports - Launches the search feature that allows you to search through the Trace database to locate past trace results for analysis. More Info.

4. Manage NTAs - The Manage NTA (Network testing Agent) option provides a quick and convenient method to add, change or delete any NTA that has been created. More Info.

5. OnDemand NTA - This Network test Agent is a small easy to use agent that enables you to perform 'On Demand' quality and performance connectivity tests from one or more remote locations. This provides quick visibility to last mile connection problems encountered by a customer or remote office. Once an NTA is created, it can be published for easy activation by any remote customer using a simple virtual URL download without the need to place files on a web server. Other convenient methods of delivery such as email are also available. More Info.

6. AutoTime NTA - This Network test Agent is a small easy to use agent that is designed to automatically perform connectivity tests from remote locations such as a remote office or customer on a continuous persistent basis by collecting connectivity data at predefined intervals. The AutoTime NTA can also perform on-demand tests (similar to the OnDemand NTA) using Test a Connection option above. More Info.

7. Publish NTA - The Publish option automatically creates a virtual web URL, providing a quick and easy method for remote users to download an NTA you have created for testing their connection without the need to place files on a web server. The user simply selects ‘run’ from the download request to quickly install and activate the NTA. More Info.

8. Control Panel - Provides quick links to the main server side GUI (as shown above), NTA administration (where you can manage your NTAs) and the main VisualRoute connection testing application. More Info.

9. Help and Links - A list of links that provide help for running and using the VisualRoute Server.

NOTE: The NTA options are only available with administration rights, see below

Fig 2

If there is no default password set, the user will be taken to the "change password" page to set one. No access to administrative features is permitted until a password is set.

Fig 3

Test a Connection  

Fig 4

The 'Trace a Connection' page will look like the image above.

Before tracing you have to choose where you would like to trace from. Simply click the 'Trace From' drop down menu and select either 'This Server' or 'My computer'. The drop down menu will also list any NTA's running at the time. Once this has been done enter the Host/URL you wish to trace into the address box in the applet. Click the Start trace button to begin the trace. If you have chosen to trace from My Computer then when Start trace is clicked the applet will ask you do download an NTA. More Info.

At any point during the trace you can click the Stop button.

When the trace has completed it will look like the image below:

Fig 5

The initial view is the summary tab. This shows a mini map, and analysis section (the green and red bullet points make it easy to identify good and bad parts of the trace) and a performance graph.

The performance graph is a great way to quickly identify where along the route the problem is occurring as each hop is plotted by its round trip time. To view the table for the trace route simply click the table tab (see below). The other tabs display the information currently shown in the summary view, separately.

When viewing the Performance Graph tab the graph becomes interactive. Running the mouse cursor over each hop will pop up a dialog box containing information such as packet loss and domain information. By clicking on the domain link the server will perform a whois look up on that domain.

When viewing the Map tab this also becomes interactive. The map can be zoomed and maneuvered.

When viewing the Table tab the node name and network columns can also be clicked in order to provide whois information.

Fig 6

To start another trace simply enter another host/URL and click the Start Trace button again.

Tracing from 'My Computer' using an NTA

If you have chosen to trace from My Computer and clicked start you will see a request for you to start NTA process appear as shown below:

Fig 7

When you select the 'Click here' link the download security dialog will appear. As instructed IE users can just click 'run' to start the testing process. Firefox user must click 'save' first then 'run'

Fig 8

When this dialog appear click the 'Save' button and save the NTA to your hard disk. Once downloaded, double click the icon to start the NTA. It will look like the image below when running:

Fig 9

When the VisualRoute NTA starts processing the requested connection test that initiated the OnDemand NTA tm will automatically start and you will see the connection test results reported in the VisualRoute Test window as shown in the example below. Note, the VisualRoute NTA will remain running for further tests however after a period of idle time it will terminate and close the connection. Further connection tests will require a new NTA to be started.

Fig 10

At any time you can uninstall the NTA by simply clicking the 'Uninstall...' button as shown above. If you choose just to close the NTA then the NTA will minimize to the sys tray area.

Plot Connection Quality  

Plot Connectivity Quality is designed to help resolve persistent or intermittent connection problems that occur over a period of time which can be days or even weeks. The ability to plot the latency of a connection over time consistently quickly identifies time correlation problems that occur based on time-zone anomalies etc. For example a remote office starting work at 9am GMT may cause a problem in the USA West Coast office at 3am when no person may be available to monitor the connection. By seeing a continual latency correlation to 3am provides the clue to help resolve the connectivity issue quickly.

Fig 11

To begin monitoring a connection simply enter the IP address or domain name into the address box provided and click the Start button (see above)

The ping test monitors the specified connection at 5 second intervals and records round trip latency and packet loss. To view the results at any particular time point simply click on the graph at the point of interest this a value-scope tool to report the actual measure

To zoom in to specific time periods on the graph simply click the + and - buttons in the top right hand corner. To stop monitoring the connection just click the stop button located to the right of the address box.

Fig 12

The ping test monitors the host at 5 second intervals and plots a graph accordingly. To view the data at any particular point simply click on the graph at the point on interest. By doing this a box will pop up (as shown above) displaying the date, time, latency and % packets loss at that particular point.

To zoom in and out of the graph simply click the + and - buttons in the top right hand corner of the applet. To stop the ping test just click the stop button to the right of the applet address box.

Database Reports  

Click to enlarge

Fig 13

By default selecting the database reports icon will automatically show all traces conducted by all uses for the last 24 hours. The most recent traces are shown first in time descending order. To quickly navigate through the report pages select the desired 'go to page numbers' located at the top of the report detail. Click on the image above for a larger view.

The reporting database is designed to allow the user to customize the reports based of search criteria.  The search parameters consist of the start-end time period and any additional selection filters for the data. For example "IP=216.134* and endms>400" would only list tests to 216.134 IP addresses with latency results greater than 400 milliseconds. More example listed below.

Fig 14

The expressions that can be used to search are as follows:

endip               - the final IP address in the trace
endname         - the final node name in the trace
endms             - latency to the destination for the connection test
maxms            - the maximum latency in milliseconds in the connection test
endloss            - the packet loss for the destination
maxloss           - the maximum packet loss the connection test
numhops         - the number of hops in the connection test

The expressions can be combined using 'and' 'or' statements eg:

(endip=205.234.111.205 or endname=*.visualware.com) and endms>100

To review a specific connection test detail select the date/time link (left column) for the database record required to open the detail report window. See example below

Fig 15

Manage NTAs  

Network Test Agents (NTAs) test network connections for quality and performance from remote locations such as an office or a customer.  There are two types of NTA available. OnDemand NTA tm which is designed for short connections tests on a demand basis. AutoTime NTA tm which is designed for automated continuous connection testing. All NTAs are centrally managed from the VisualRoute Server Control Panel using the Manage NTA option.

The Manage NTA option provides a quick and convenient method to add, change or delete any NTA that has been deployed.

A powerful feature of the Manage NTA facility is the ability to make changes to any or all AutoTime NTA tm deployed, For example adding a new connection test or changing an existing connection test can be automatically applied to all deployed NTAs selected. If you had an AutoTime NTA tm running in a 100 remote offices, you could for example uninstall or update all 100 NTAs with a single click request.

Fig 16

The image above shows the Manage NTAs page as it will look without data. By clicking the Create a new... links you will be able to create an NTA. When an NTA has been created it will appear in the appropriate list along with its status and other options as shown below:

Fig 17

Selecting the "Manage NTA" icon displays a list of all OnDemand NTAs and AutoTime NTAs that are created or deployed. AutoTime NTAs are only available in the VisualRoute Server NOC Edition whereas OnDemand NTA's are available in VisualRoute Professional and NOC Editions.

The available 'change' options for each NTA listed is reported as a clickable keyword link. Clicking the required link selects the change request. For example clicking the 'Modify' link displays the change options for the selected NTA where as select 'delete' remove the NTA from the list.

Note: Only deployed OnDemand NTAs are reported whereas all AutoTime NTAs that have been created even if they are not deployed are reported. This allows any AutoTime NTA to be configured before it is deployed.

It is important to note the difference in usage between AutoTime and OnDemand NTAs.

An AutoTime NTA (NOC Editions) can be pre configured to test one or more connections before it is deployed to a remote location. This is because AutoTime NTAs are designed to be autonomous and will conduct the defined connection tests automatically. Once deployed in the network an AutoTime NTA can be modified centrally from the VisualRoute Server to add/change/delete connection tests. An AutoTime NTA can also be requested to do additional one-off tests if required.

An OnDemand NTA (Professional and NOC Editions) cannot be pre-configured and can only be instructed to test a connection when it has been deployed. This is why the Ondemand NTA listed in the image above does not show a 'Modify' or a 'Delete' link. Instead, as the OnDemand NTA section only lists NTAs that are already deployed, the only option available is 'shut down'. Clicking 'shut down' terminates the remote NTA.

Click for more information on managing AutoTime NTAs ( NOC Edition Only ).

OnDemand NTAs  

The OnDemand NTA tm is specifically designed to help resolve network connectivity problems that occur at locations such as a remote office or customer. The OnDemand NTA can be run at one or more remote network locations permanently or on-request, enabling network testing from that location. Placing permanent NTAs at important network locations provides a powerful method to quickly test every important network segment on demand.

Once activated, the OnDemand NTA will appear in the Trace from box of the VisualRoute Server connection test window. To run a connection test from a remote location,

1. Select the desired OnDemand NTA in the Trace From box,

2. Enter the connection test destination domain name or IP address in the ‘To' box

3. Click Start . For deployment

Fig 18

To create an OnDemand NTA simply enter a name for the OnDemand NTA in the 'Name' text box shown above. Click the ' Download OnDemand NTA ' button to start the download process. This will display the standard download run/save dialog box. If you want to run the NTA now click the 'run' option otherwise click the 'save' option to place the NTA on your hard drive. Note : A name is required to ensure you can identify an OnDemand NTA when several NTAs are deployed and in use at the same time.

The OnDemand NTA can also be made available for download to remote users using the publish option, which provides quick and easy method for a remote user to download an OnDemand NTA.  

Fig 19

When the OnDemand NTA is started a small Windows panel will open to show the current status of the OnDemand NTA. The panel shows the current network routes monitored (AutoTime NTA only), the connection tests performed and the last date/time that the NTA contacted the VisualRoute Server. The NTA date/time is provided as a visible means to ensure that the NTA is still operating correctly. The NTA can be run in the background by clicking the 'close' button. This will minimize the NTA to the Windows SysTray, located in the bottom right hand corner of your start bar. To stop the NTA right click the VisualRoute NTA icon in the systray and select 'Exit' as shown below:

Fig 20

With the NTA running you will be able to test a connection from the remote location of the OnDemand NTA. To do this select the OnDemand NTA in the 'Trace From' box using (See example below) the VisualRoute Test Connection application as explained above.

Fig 21

Once the OnDemand NTA you want has been selected from the list simply follow the normal procedure of entering the connection test destination domain name or IP address in the 'To' box and click 'Start'.

AutoTime NTAs  

The purpose of the AutoTime NTA (tm) is to test a connection continually over time and providing the connection test data in the reporting database for analysis. The AutoTime NTA (tm) is a small easy to use agent that automatically performs continuous connectivity tests from remote locations such as a remote office or customer, collecting connectivity performance and quality data at predefined intervals. Although AutoTime NTAs are designed for continuous interval testing of one or more connections the AutoTime NTA can also perform on-demand tests if required using the Test a Connection application as documented above.

The process of creating an AutoTime NTA involves -

1. Allocating a suitable name for identification purposes

2. Configuring the connections to be tested at the interval required

3. Running the NTA at the remote location or Locations.

Once an AutoTime NTA is created, it can be published via a simple web download for easy activation by a remote customer using the Publish NTA facility provided, or delivered by other convenient methods such as email. The AutoTime NTA will auto-install as a Windows service without user interaction, and AutoTime NTAs can be modified or uninstalled centrally through the Manage NTAs option provided in the VisualRoute Server Control Panel.

Fig 22

The first step in creating an AutoTime NTA is to give it a name. This is necessary to ensue that the AutoTime NTA is easily identifiable when several are in use. Enter your chosen name into the text box and click the 'Create NTA' button. This will bring up the modify AutoTime NTA option window as shown in the example below:

Note AutoTime NTA names must be unique.

Fig 23

1. If you wish to choose a different NTA to modify then click this link to choose another. This will take you to the Manage NTAs screen where you can choose 'Modify' on another AutoTime NTA.

2. Change the AutoTime NTA name - If you wish to change the name of the NTA you are modifying then enter the new name in the text box provided and click the 'Update' button.

3. Tests performed by this NTA - Lists the current connection tests being done by the AutoTime NTA. To add another connection test for the AutoTime NTA to monitor click the ' Add a new connection test to this NTA ' link to bring up the Modify AutoTime NTA window as shown below:

Fig 24

The Modify Test allows the user to define the connection destination to be tested and the interval at which the test will be run. Note the ‘interval' defines the time that must elapse after the connection test completes. Therefore if the connection test takes 30 seconds and the interval is 300 seconds (5 minutes) the test will run approximately every five and a half minutes. To add a test simply enter the target, for example 216.55.183.48 or www.visualware.com, then enter the delay in seconds and click the submit button.

Note: Modifying a connection test will immediately update all AutoTime NTAs that are deployed and running.

Every test added will be detailed in the 'Tests performed by this NTA' section as shown below:

Fig 25

Simply click the modify link to change the definition of an existing connection test or click delete to remove it.

Note: Modifying a connection test will immediately update all AutoTime NTAs that are deployed and running.

4. AutoTime NTAs(tm) currently running - When you are setting up an AutoTime NTA for the first time this section will be empty. When an AutoTime NTA is deployed and running it will show in the AutoTime NTA currently running list as shown in the example below. To ensure you have the latest AutoTime NTA information listed you should click ‘Refresh' the image below:

Fig 26

The only option available is to uninstall the NTA. Clicking the 'uninstall' link will remove uninstall and remove the AutoTime NTA when the next connection test is requested. To remove the list entry and not wait for the next connection click the 'Force delete now' option which will remove the AutoTime NTA immediately.

5. Create a copy of this AutoTime NTA(tm) - This section is the same as the OnDemand NTA(tm). The name field will already be filled with the name you have given the NTA at the start. Click the download button and select 'run' or 'save'. If save is selected, once the download has finished double click the saved file to start the AutoTime NTA.

Publish NTA  

The purpose of the Publish NTA option is to provide convenient method of making VisualRoute Server NTAs available to remote locations such as remote offices and/or remote customers having difficulties The Publish NTA option automatically creates a virtual web URL, providing a quick and easy method for remote users to download an available NTA. The user simply has to select Run from the download request to activate the NTA. The user can also save the NTA to the hard drive if required. Because VisualRoute Server uses virtual web URLs the actual URL published does not exist physically, instead VisualRoute Server Professional and VisualRoute Server NOC manages the published URLs as an automated publishing feature. This means there are now directories or published files to housekeep and maintain on a daily basis.

Once the NTA is running and connected, the NTA will appear as a user selection in the ' Trace From' box of the VisualRoute Server Test a Connection application ( Professional & NOC Editions only ).

Fig 28

To publish an NTA select the Publish NTA option in the VisualRoute Server Control panel as shown in the example above. This will display the default Select AutoTime NTA publishing window as shown below. OnDemand NTAs can also be published by selecting the Publish OnDemand link provided.

Fig 29

To select the AutoTime NTA click the AutoTime NTA name required for publication from the list provided. This will display the Publish NTA details window as shown in the example below.

Fig 30

1. A name for the NTA is required. This allows easy identification of the NTA when several are connected to the VisualRoute server. The user may choose to define a fixed name for the NTA by selecting the "Enter a fixed name" or the user may allow the remote user to define a name prior to running the NTA by selecting the "ask a user" option. The purpose of this latter option is useful when resolving customer connection problems directly with the customer as it allows the customer to enter something to identify who they are. This can be a real name, an alias name or even the business name.

2. A download name is required to provide the definition of the download URL. This name can be anything that is logical and does not have to be associated with NTA name in any way. For example if you called the NTA Paris Office as above and chose the publish name to be webtests a remote user would use the URL of http://visualroute.visuaware.com/publish/webtests however when the NTA connects it will be identified as Paris Office .

When complete click the 'Publish NTA' button which will display the NTA Published form as shown in the example below:

Fig 31

This page verifies that the NTA has been published and confirms the download link of the NTA. When a remote user selects the published URL using the browser one of two selections will appear. If the NTA was given a 'fixed' name then the 'start connection test' link is automatically provided for user selection along with a brief description as shown in the example below.

Fig 32

If the NTA was published using the "ask user name" option then the user will re requested to enter an identifying name and click the 'start connection test' button.

Fig 33

Selecting the published download link allows the remote user to 'run' or 'save' the published NTA as required. Choosing 'run' will immediately start the NTA connection test, selecting 'save' will save the NTA on the designated hard drive for starting later as required.

Once the NTA starts the connection tests defined will automatically be initiated unless the NTA was published with the "ask user name" option. Each completed test will be logged and will show in the database reports section for you to view.

Publishing OnDemand tm NTA

As OnDemand NTAs do not exist until published i.e. they are not preconfigured to test specific connections but only accept connection tests once running. The process of publishing an OnDemand NTA uses the same process as publishing the AutoTime NTA without the need to select the NTA from a list. Selecting the 'publish a new OnDemand NTA' link located in the Publish AutoTime NTA Form. Clicking this takes you straight to the Publish NTA form as shown in figure 30 above.

Control Panel  

Fig 34

The Control Panel is simply a quick links window that allows you to quickly skip between a new connection test, the database reports window and the NTA administration window. The Control Panel Home link takes you back to the main server window.