Bicom Systems SIP Monitoring (sipMON)

Overview

Bicom Systems SIP Monitoring (sipMON) is a Linux, self-hosted SIP and RTP monitoring tool built for IT service providers and designed to work with PBXware. It is best suited to teams that need detailed call-quality diagnostics, packet capture and recording in one system; its beta status for real-time call monitoring is an important caveat.

Key features

sipMON evaluates jitter, delay variation and packet loss, then predicts call quality on the MOS scale. That gives VoIP operations teams more to investigate than a basic call log: call records can include duration, codec, caller details, SIP agent, last SIP response, RTP source addresses, MOS and delay and loss distributions. A configurable alert system is intended to help teams respond quickly when call quality deteriorates.

For deeper troubleshooting, sipMON saves SIP signaling and RTP packets as individual PCAP files for analysis or export. It also stores call detail records in a database that supports ODBC, a useful option for organizations that need to work with call data outside the monitoring interface. The product is described as a C++ program designed to handle thousands of simultaneous calls, though that capacity claim does not replace checking whether its dedicated-host requirement fits a particular deployment.

Call recording adds another layer of diagnosis: PBXware calls can be recorded, decoded and played in the sipMON GUI, or saved as WAV files. G.711 alaw and ulaw are listed; G.729a, G.723, iLBC, Speex and GSM require commercial plugins. Teams relying on those codecs should account for the additional plugin requirement.

Ongoing calls can be monitored in real time only with the latest sipMON, with the TCP manager port enabled, and that capability is marked beta. Teams that need a mature live-monitoring workflow should weigh that limitation carefully.

Pricing

sipMON is paid software with custom pricing. There are no published plan tiers, seat counts, quotas, trial terms or renewal terms to compare, so prospective buyers should request a quote and clarify the deployment and codec-plugin costs that apply to their needs. The brochure calls for a dedicated host server, which is a resource consideration alongside the software price.

Platforms

sipMON runs on Linux and is self-hosted. That suits ITSPs that want to operate monitoring within their own environment, but it is not a fit for teams seeking a web-hosted service or a choice of desktop and mobile platforms.

Who it's for

sipMON is aimed squarely at IT service providers, particularly those using PBXware and needing call-level VoIP troubleshooting. Its combination of MOS scoring, alerts, CDRs, PCAP capture and recordings can support technical investigations that require both call metrics and underlying packet or audio evidence. Its Linux deployment, dedicated-host requirement and beta live-call monitoring make it a more specialized choice than a lightweight, broadly accessible monitoring service.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Detailed call diagnostics: MOS, jitter, loss and delay data appear alongside SIP and RTP details in call records.
• Useful investigation artifacts: Individual PCAP files and WAV recordings give technical teams material to inspect or export.
• Flexible record storage: ODBC-supported database storage can work with existing data workflows.
• Designed for high concurrency: The maker describes the C++ program as handling thousands of simultaneous calls.

Cons

• Real-time monitoring is beta: It requires the latest version and an enabled TCP manager port, so teams should not assume it is a finished live-monitoring feature.
• Self-hosting has infrastructure demands: Linux deployment and a dedicated host server may be burdensome for teams without suitable operations capacity.
• Some codecs need commercial plugins: G.729a, G.723, iLBC, Speex and GSM are not included in the listed G.711 support.
• Custom pricing reduces upfront clarity: Buyers need a quote to assess cost against their call volume and requirements.

Alternatives

Compare VoIP monitoring software if you want to review the category more broadly. Choose Obkio if you want a freemium option with a 14-day trial that includes premium features, up to 10 agents and no credit card requirement. Dotcom-Monitor is worth considering if its free plan's limits of 25 targets, five-minute monitoring frequency and two locations suit your monitoring needs.

For an open-source, self-hosted VoIP monitoring option, consider HOMER, which offers a free open-source plan with commercial support available by quote. sip-exporter is another free Linux, self-hosted option, with commercial use subject to AGPL-3.0 conditions. Choose MultiDSLA if you need a controller with one or more node devices and control of 100 or more nodes.

CallMeter is a paid alternative with Starter and Professional plans billed monthly or annually and a free trial. Nectar Diagnostics is another paid option, available on web. ServicePilot VoIP Monitoring offers a freemium model and an Object Monitoring plan priced at 0.50 USD per month per object, with decreasing rates based on quantity.

Verdict

Choose sipMON if you are an ITSP using PBXware and need call-quality scoring backed by packet captures, records and recordings. Its depth is compelling for technical troubleshooting, but the dedicated Linux host, custom pricing, codec plugins and beta real-time monitoring make it a less suitable choice for teams seeking a turnkey or fully mature live-monitoring service.