Leveraging the Cisco Collaboration Solutions Analyzer¶
Published: January 5, 2026
Read time: 5 minutes
The Cisco Collaboration Solutions Analyzer (CSA) is a robust suite of tools designed by the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to support administrators in diagnosing, validating, and resolving issues across Cisco collaboration environments.
These resources are particularly valuable for managing Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), Expressway, CUBE, and related deployments.
Log Analyzer¶
Automated Diagnostic Insights from Device Logs
The Log Analyzer enables users to upload logs from collaboration devices—such as CUCM traces, CUBE SIP debugs, or Expressway captures—for automated issue detection and resolution guidance. It generates ladder diagrams illustrating call flows, color-codes SIP messages (e.g., blue for INVITEs, green for 200 OK responses, red for BYEs), and cross-references findings against known defects.
Insight
For complex SIP-to-SIP call failures on CUBE, apply filters by dialed number or disconnect code to isolate problematic IP addresses, streamlining targeted remediation efforts. This tool supports multi-file uploads, ensuring comprehensive session analysis.
CollabEdge Validator¶
Streamlined Mobile and Remote Access Deployment
Focused on Mobile and Remote Access (MRA) for Jabber and similar clients, the CollabEdge Validator provides a guided, step-by-step simulation of the MRA handshake, from DNS resolution to token validation. It assesses configurations across Expressway-C/E and CUCM, identifying common discrepancies such as zone misconfigurations or certificate mismatches.
Insight
During deployment or troubleshooting, enter domain details and endpoint parameters to determine whether issues originate internally or externally, enabling efficient prioritization and correction.
SRV Checker¶
Efficient DNS Record Validation for Service Connectivity
This tool queries global DNS servers for collaboration-specific SRV records (e.g., _collab-edge._tls or _cisco-uds._tcp) associated with a public domain. It evaluates resolvability, port accessibility (e.g., TCP 8443 for MRA), and overall service readiness, highlighting potential connectivity barriers.
Insight
Use in conjunction with federation testing; if records resolve correctly but connectivity fails, investigate firewall rules. It serves as a foundational check for external access queries.
B2B Call Tester¶
Connectivity Assessment for Business-to-Business Federation
The B2B Call Tester supports inbound and outbound audio/video testing against Cisco's reference endpoint, delivering real-time call statistics and diagnostics. It is optimized for federation scenarios (Business-to-Business calls across organizations) and includes integrated SRV lookups.
Insight
Test each party's connectivity independently: successful media exchange with the tester indicates a functional endpoint, narrowing focus to inter-party issues such as codec incompatibilities. Recommended for use with Google Chrome; results can directly inform TAC escalations.
SIP Profile Tester (SPT)¶
Simulation and Validation of CUBE SIP Rules
Tailored for IOS XE Unified Border Element (CUBE) environments, the SIP Profile Tester simulates rule applications (e.g., header modifications, SDP alterations) on sample SIP messages like INVITEs. It visually denotes changes—blue for modifications, green for additions, red for removals—facilitating pre-production verification.
Insight
Input a representative SIP message and profile rules to validate behaviors, such as Diversion header manipulations, preventing discrepancies between lab and production environments.
Self-Service TAC Workflows¶
Guided Resolutions for Common Scenarios
These interactive workflows offer structured, step-by-step instructions for routine maintenance, empowering independent resolution without TAC intervention.
CUCM Certificate Planner Tool¶
Assists in planning and executing certificate renewals or regenerations for CUCM components (e.g., Tomcat, CallManager, CAPF). It generates Certificate Signing Requests (CSRs), validates templates, and supports ECDSA algorithms for secure communications.
Insight
Prior to upgrades, use this tool to audit expiring certificates and mitigate "secure communications failed" errors.
Ungraceful Shutdown Tool¶
Analyzes post-reboot logs from Virtualized Voice Operating System (VOS) nodes (e.g., CUCM, IM&P) following abrupt power cycles. It detects configuration or file system corruption, verifies service integrity, and recommends rebuilds if necessary, while suppressing non-critical alerts.
Insight
After an unplanned shutdown, upload the system-history.log for a rapid health assessment, confirming operational readiness or guiding recovery.
Access CSA at https://cway.cisco.com/csa-new/#/home (requires Cisco CCO login; Google Chrome recommended). Initiate TAC cases directly within the platform for automated log attachment. For detailed documentation or further inquiries, consult Cisco support channels.