• VoIP monitoring tools help you determine if your VoIP session is healthy.conference image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.com
  
  Voice over Internet protocol is the method of communicating by voice, text or fax over networks that use the Internet protocol. Each time that you communicate over VoIP, a new session is started, and these sessions are managed by control protocols. Monitoring your VoIP network allows you to keep track of the overall health of your session. These programs are for industry professionals.
  
  

PRTG

• PRTG allows you to monitor your network traffic to determine whether there are any issues with your VoIP connection, and it helps you figure out if user datagram protocol (UDP) packages are being delivered as they should be. PRTG basically allows you to find potential issues before they cause your VoIP session to crash, and it also helps you determine the quality of the service being offered on your network. There are two editions of this software program. The freeware edition offers you some basic VoIP tools. Freeware means that you can use and share this program without paying a licensing. The commercial edition of this software program starts at $400 in 2010.
  
  

PacketTrap IT

• The Quest PacketTrap IT allows you to monitor all of your network traffic, including your VoIP session, and you can set up this system to alert you if a problem does arise. You receive real-time monitoring of your network, which means that you can obtain information about your network as it happens. Quest PacketTrap IT allows you to add as many people to your system as you need to, and this system uses a graphical user interface, which allows you to easily learn the system. GUIs use check boxes and radio buttons to run commands as opposed to writing code or programs. Other features of this system include autodiscovery of any hardware or operating system that you add to the system. You can try this program free for a limited time. You must purchase it after the free trial download expires, and the program starts at $1,995 per year in 2010.
  
  

VQManager

• VQManager is strictly for monitoring your VoIP network, and you can obtain information in real-time. You can receive alerts when there is a problem, including email alerts, and you can view user history to determine whether your network can handle the capacity. VQManager also helps you figure out what's wrong with your VoIP session if you are getting interference or dropped calls, and you can review raw packet information. This tool is compatible with both Windows and Linux operating systems, and a free trial download is available. As of 2010, this tool starts at $1,025.