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When to implement QoS inside the LAN network
We are a partnering with a carrier to ready networks for implementing VoIP. I understand the carrier implements QoS on their Router at the demarcation point at client site. That is where they stop and we begin. We are planning on implementing a VLAN for phone traffic. My question is this: At what point is it necessary to implement QoS INSIDE the network architechture (other than the router going out to the world)? We are working with small to medium businesses, 30-175 users.
It was recommended that this would be of little benefit to the customer considering the time and cost to implement QoS. I just want to confirm this from a professional.
It was recommended that this would be of little benefit to the customer considering the time and cost to implement QoS. I just want to confirm this from a professional.
ASKER
This is an outsourced softPBX solution and this is hosted at the carriers site outside the client site. Typically they're connect with a 1.5 - 2Mbps link. We are thinking the bottleneck will be this link vs. inside the network. From a cost benefit perspective does the additional investment in QoS capable switches represent a significant enough increase in quality to justify the cost?
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Thanks for the points. Good luck with the project.
The number of users is immaterial, QoS should be introduced if there is any type of traffic requiring priority handling, especially when there is contention.
While this is usually the case with slower router links, it also should also apply to links between switches, especially those connecting to the desktop.
The simplest example is a fast ethernet switch port carrying both data and voice to an IP handset with a workstation connecting to the handset switch port. A sustained file transfer to the workstation will easily use all the bandwidth of 100 mb. The problem here is that as part of the normal data stream, the voice packets to the handset will be delayed and the resulting audio will occassionally break up - very undesirable and believe me, users will get very annoyed when this persists.
So, QoS should be part of the packakge used to implement VoIP.