First off, I am not a network engineer so apologies if I get terminology messed up, i realize accuracy is important here.
Currently, we have a small(ish) network with around 40 devices and 20 IP phones all connected over the same LAN. For some reason the call quality on the VoIP system has tanked and we are getting a ton of "Jitter" and very occasionally a dropped call. That's the problem in essence, so after some research I have discovered.
- Ideally, the VoIP system should be on its own VLAN – to minimise broadcast traffic
- Some QoS should be setup on the switches
I have checked my switch (Netgear GS724T) and it supports VLAN.
I am pretty sure I could get this working if I plug the VoIP server into the VoIP VLAN but I don't see how this is achievable while also keeping it on the default VLAN so it can talk to the Domain controller.
Whats the best setup for this, remembering the overall goal that is removing the jitter and improving call quality
Should the VOIP server be off the domain and on the VLAN with the phones and just totally segregate it that way? Then, would they be better of on their own IP subnet also?
Whats more likely to be the issue, the fact that they share the LAN, or the lack of QoS. Should I do both?
I have no idea in my switch how to prioritize VoIP traffic. Do the "interfaces/ports" get prioritized? Do I need to care about QoS if the VoIP system eventually gets its own private network.
Are there any other options I can look into to help reduce the jitter?
Phew, thanks for any advice, I didn't set this network up, I have inherited so I realise there are probably other glaring issues here also….
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
I should note that currently the VOIP server is virtualised, so, do I have to move it to a physical box to plug it into the VoIP VLAN?
Best Answer
I would move VOIP server to separate box as the first step. This is a small environment, and my guess is that either VM Host network interface or too tiny VOIP VM is the culprit.