Methodology for SIP Infrastructure Performance Testing

This paper deals with a testing method suitable for SIP infrastructure. The performance testing is an issue of research and no standardized methodology has been adopted yet. We present the main ideas of the methodology that allows for testing the keystone of SIP based infrastructure – the SIP Server – in both SIP Proxy and B2BUA (Back to Back User Agent) configurations. Our methodology has its foundations in the work of the IT Company Transnexus and these foundations have been enhanced with the ideas reflecting the nature of the SIP protocol. In addition, the entirely new methodology for benchmarking the SIP server in the B2BUA configuration has been introduced. This method utilizes one of the attributes of the B2BUA – the flow of media passing through the B2BUA – and measures the effectiveness of codec translation, which relates to the performance measured in cases without codec translation. Our approach offers the complex method for testing SIP infrastructure, which has been verified experimentally. The outcoming results are the part of this paper together with appropriate comments and conclusions. Key-Words: Asterisk; B2BUA; codec translation; Opensips; Performance testing; SIP Proxy