Cisco Connection Analyzer (CCA): Quick Guide & Best Practices

CCA — Cisco Connection Analyzer: Features, Tips, and Use Cases### Introduction

Cisco Connection Analyzer (CCA) is a web-based diagnostic tool designed to help network administrators and support staff quickly identify and resolve connectivity problems related to Cisco collaboration services and devices. It automates many tests that would otherwise require manual steps, providing clear results and recommendations to improve service quality and shorten mean time to resolution (MTTR).

Key Features

• Automated test suite: CCA runs a series of pre-built diagnostic checks — from basic network reachability to deeper SIP, WebRTC, and device-specific validations — without requiring manual scripting.
• Device and service coverage: Supports a broad set of Cisco collaboration endpoints and services, including Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), Cisco Webex, SIP trunks, Jabber, and various IP phones.
• Client-side and server-side checks: Performs tests from both client and server perspectives (when possible), including NAT/firewall traversal, TLS/SRTP negotiation, and media path validation.
• Detailed logs and reports: Generates downloadable reports containing test outputs, logs, and suggested remediation steps that can be shared with Cisco TAC or internal teams.
• User-friendly UI: Web interface guides users through test selection and displays results with clear pass/fail indicators and prioritized recommendations.
• Session capture integration: Some CCA deployments can collect packet captures or session traces to assist with deeper analysis.
• Security-aware testing: Tests account for encrypted signaling and media (TLS, SRTP) and indicates where certificate or crypto mismatches occur.
• Config and topology checks: Validates common configuration pitfalls such as DNS misconfigurations, SIP domain mismatches, port blocking, and codec negotiation issues.

Typical Tests Performed

• DNS resolution checks for SIP and service SRV records
• TCP/UDP/TLS port connectivity tests (e.g., ⁄₅₀₆₁, 443, TURN/STUN ports)
• SIP OPTIONS and REGISTER reachability and authentication tests
• WebRTC signaling and ICE candidate checks (STUN/TURN)
• RTP media path verification and codec negotiation checks
• TLS certificate validation and cipher compatibility
• Latency, jitter, and packet loss measurements for media flows
• Device provisioning and firmware compatibility checks

How CCA Works (High-level)

1. The user selects the target service or device and supplies basic inputs (IP/hostname, ports, credentials if required).
2. CCA initiates a sequence of checks from the user’s browser or a designated test agent to the target endpoints.
3. Each test records success/failure, timing, and diagnostic details; failures include recommended next steps.
4. A consolidated report is produced, highlighting critical issues and suggested remediations, with options to export logs and packet captures.

Use Cases

• Troubleshooting call failures and one-way audio problems: CCA isolates whether signaling, NAT, firewall, or media routing is the root cause.
• Pre-deployment validation: Verify network readiness (ports, QoS, DNS) before rolling out Cisco voice/video solutions.
• Ongoing health checks: Periodic runs detect configuration drift, expired certificates, or regressed network paths.
• Support escalation: Produce a standardized report to attach to Cisco TAC cases, speeding diagnosis.
• Remote worker validation: Confirm VPN, NAT, or home-router issues affecting collaboration clients like Webex or Jabber.

Practical Tips for Effective Use

• Provide accurate input: Use correct SIP domains, FQDNs, and reachable IPs; incorrect targets lead to misleading results.
• Run tests from both inside and outside the corporate network when diagnosing remote connectivity issues.
• Capture packet traces when recommended; they often reveal NAT, translation, or codec payload problems that high-level tests miss.
• Pay attention to TLS certificate warnings — mismatched CN/SAN entries and expired certs are common causes of failures.
• Use CCA reports when opening TAC cases; include exported logs and PCAPs to shorten back-and-forth.
• Re-run tests after applying fixes to confirm resolution and document the before/after state.
• For WebRTC issues, verify STUN/TURN reachability and correct ICE candidate prioritization on clients and servers.
• Check QoS and DSCP markings on the network path if you see high jitter/latency or packet loss in media tests.

Limitations and Considerations

• Browser-based tests may be limited by the browser’s own networking stack and security model; some checks are more accurate from a dedicated test agent.
• Encrypted media/signaling can limit the depth of inspection; CCA reports the status but cannot always decrypt packet payloads.
• Tests reflect the point-in-time state of the network; transient issues may not be captured without repeated testing or continuous monitoring.
• Some enterprise environments restrict outbound testing or packet captures; coordinate with network/security teams before running intrusive tests.

Example Troubleshooting Scenarios

1. One-way audio on calls:

   • CCA detects RTP reachability only in one direction.
   • Common root causes: asymmetric routing, NAT without proper symmetric mappings, or firewall pinholes missing for RTP ports.
   • Remediation: Implement symmetric NAT, open correct RTP port ranges, or use media relays (Media Termination Points/TURN).

2. SIP registration failures:

   • CCA reports failed TCP/TLS connections to CUCM or SIP proxy.
   • Common root causes: certificate mismatch, port blocking, or DNS SRV misconfiguration.
   • Remediation: Fix DNS records, renew/import correct certificates, and verify firewall rules.

3. Webex client cannot establish media:

   • CCA flags STUN/TURN connectivity failures and ICE negotiation timeouts.
   • Common root causes: blocked TURN port ranges, restrictive NAT types, or missing TURN credentials.
   • Remediation: Allow TURN ports, enforce proper NAT traversal settings, and ensure TURN authentication is correct.

Integration with Other Tools

CCA complements other diagnostics (SNMP-based monitoring, synthetic call generators, and full packet capture solutions). Use CCA for rapid, user-facing diagnostics and hand off to packet capture or monitoring systems for continuous or deeper analysis.

Best Practices Summary

• Use CCA early in the troubleshooting workflow to quickly eliminate common causes.
• Combine browser-based and agent-based tests for a full view.
• Keep certificates, DNS, and firmware up to date.
• Document pre- and post-test reports when changing configurations.
• Share CCA output with Cisco TAC to accelerate support cases.

Conclusion

CCA — Cisco Connection Analyzer — is a practical, time-saving diagnostic tool for Cisco collaboration environments. It streamlines common connectivity tests, highlights configuration and network issues, and produces actionable reports that reduce MTTR. While not a replacement for deep packet analysis or continuous monitoring, CCA is an essential first step for troubleshooting and validating collaboration deployments.