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5 Tips for a Successful VOIP Deployment

  1. Measure
    VOIP is a voice network coming into the data network rather than the merging of the two networks. The VOIP traffic will require extra bandwidth and it is important to ensure that the data network can handle additional VOIP traffic. Anticipating the size of VOIP traffic can be determined by two things:
    • Codecs
      Compression ratio of the VOIP reduces the data size and re-adapts voice quality Good Codecs are G.711, G.729 and G.723
    • Expected Concurrent Calls
      Expect concurrent calls are typically measured by the number of telephone lines being utilized by the existing telephone system
  2. Bandwidth
    VOIP quality is as good as your internet bandwidth (speed). If your business internet bandwidth is too slow, the VOIP quality will be reduced.
    VOIP traffic requires consistent upload and download speed. In a situation where the upload and download speed are inconsistent for say, 1.5M/256K (download/upload) speed; the staff can hear the caller very clearly (1.5M download) but the caller will not be able to experience the same quality (256K upload).
  3. Management
    The introduction of VOIP into the data network means that the voice traffic will contend with current data traffic such as emails, internet downloads and other application traffic.
    To ensure that VOIP quality is achieved, the appropriate priority must be given to the voice traffic using QoS (Quality of Service) controls which is provided by many firewalls.
  4. Security
    Choose the right firewall with these key features:
    • VOIP aware firewall with stateful inspections
    • IPSEC, secure RTP, VPN to prevent eavesdropping
    • QOS
  5. Contingency
    Make sure your business can make phone calls if your data network fails