NETWORK READINESS

NETWORK READINESS

GET YOUR NETWORK VOIP-READY!

Intulse strives to provide you with reliable VoIP service – with high call quality. Your local network is a vital component to providing you that high quality. Because your system is in the cloud, the majority of what you need is located outside of your office.

The only things you need are:

• Stable high speed internet access
• The right configuration for your network components
• Reliable network equipment
• Good cabling to your phones

YOUR NETWORK COMPONENTS

In order to implement Intulse successfully, it is paramount to have your network set up correctly.

Internet Connection

If you’re making the switch to Intulse from a traditional phone system, you’ll need to make sure your Internet connection has the additional bandwidth and stability needed to support a real-time application like VoIP for the increased load for voice.

• Bandwidth: You’ll need roughly 100kbps for each concurrent call, both upload and download. For example, 10 phone calls would require a dedicated 1000kbps up/down.
• Latency: The average time it takes packets (audio) to travel from Point A (phone) to Point B (Intulse Cloud) and back. To avoid issues with call delay and call quality, it is recommended that latency does not exceed 100ms on average.
• Jitter: The standard deviation for latency. Real-time applications like VoIP have to discard packets that arrive late or out of order. A realistic expectation for Jitter would be less than 10ms; anything higher would be problematic.
• Packet Loss: Packets lost in transit would equate to lost audio and signalling. Packet loss should be less than 0.5%; anything higher would be problematic.

How to test your connection: Intulse can help you do this! We have an internet connection tool on our Internet Connection Requirements page.

For those who like a more hands-on approach, you can test for these metrics by using sites like speedtest.net. Test to a location near to get an idea of what your connection looks like during peak hours. (ThreePBX will host your services in a cloud location near you! Learn more)

Learn more about your Internet Connection Requirements.

Modem Configuration

If you’re using a modem/router combination device connected directly to your computer, you’ll need to check with your ISP to set that device to pass-through or bridge mode. You’ll also need to add a router to your local network.

Router Configuration

You’ll need a business or enterprise-grade router that provides common networking protocols like DHCP, NAT, DNS, and QoS. If you are a smaller business, Intulse can provide a router or recommend other routers that are very cost effective. Our technicians can let you know if the device you have is capable of working with Intulse, or if you need to replace it with equipment that will. If you require having a firewall, whether built-in or as a separate device, you may need additional help with setup and configuration for Intulse to pass through to the phones.

Learn more about VoIP QoS.

Switches

Switches that have VoIP specific settings or managed switches (Layer 3) may need additional configurations to work with Intulse:

• VLAN Assignment
  • Most phones support static VLAN ID tagging for trunking.
  • Most phones support LLDP-MED for auxiliary or voice VLAN configurations.
  • These settings can be found in the Administrator Guide for your phone model. Please contact Intulse for any assistance to get your device setup properly.
• Power over Ethernet (POE)switches need to be able to provide sufficient power for the number of phones you plan on running on that switch. You’ll need to check the power output of the POE switch, and the power consumption for each phone you plan on having on the switch (this info can be found in the Administrator Guide for your phone), and making sure that the POE power output is greater than the power consumed by the phones on the switch. Depending on how many phones you have, you may need to add POE switches to your network to power all of your phones adequately.
  • Example: The max power consumption for a GXP2170 is: 5.4W(without GXP2200EXT) or 9.2W(with 4 cascaded GXP2200EXTs). 10 phones x 5.4W = a PoE switch that has at least 54W.
  • Max power consumption for any phone would be 15.4W, which can be used as a safe upper limit if you can’t find specific power consumption information for your phone model.

Cables

For optimal speed and reliability, your network should be connected using cat 5 or better Ethernet cables, throughout the entire network. Old cables, or cables in disrepair should be replaced, and any cables you have doubts about should be either tested or replaced.

Phones

Once your network is setup and configured properly, you can begin connecting your phones using the LAN port on the back of the phone. Some phones support daisy-chain connections from a switch port on the back of the phone to a workstation. This port is usually labeled PC or COMP.

GETTING HELP WITH NETWORK ISSUES

If you begin to experience any call quality issues with your Intulse service, gathering certain information can really help speed up and pinpoint the troubleshooting process:

What problems are you experiencing?

• Choppy sound
• Dropped calls
• Static
• One way audio or no audio

When did it happen?

• Date and time of the call
• All phone numbers and extensions associated with the call