asked on Need help with Mitel IP Phone having Insufficient Bandwidth Alarm's
Mitel IP Phone getting Insufficient Bandwidth Alarms. This just started happening quite frequently within the last month. Not sure why now? When the phones get the error they will drop the call. All of our switches are Dell Managed N2048P (main) several X-1000 Series throughout. We have 2 buildings right next to each other Building A(main) & Building B(shop). Buildings are connected with Cat5e cables. All Servers and Main Switch are in Building A. Building B phones are having the Insufficient Bandwidth Alarms, Building A is not. I have seen post about setting up QoS on switches but unfortunately I have no clue how to do this? Anyone have any experience or can help with this?
Dell* mitelVoice Over IP
Last Comment
Michael McGuire
I'd start with looking at the bandwidth usage through your switches in Building A. QoS is useful if you are pushing the bandwidth limits and want to prioritize phones, but I'd want to identify why you're running into those limits first.
Since bandwidth requirements for IP phones are not extremely high, an alarm probably means there really is something wrong going on.
On site B, a PC running any internet bandwidth test, should show you significantly lower numbers than the same test done on site A.
If that is so, you only need to focus on the connection from site A to B.
- What's the distance
- Any abnormal form of cabling (under the ground, through a pipe?)
- Correct speed on both sites (see network port LED, are both sites reporting the same speed?)
On site B, a PC running any internet bandwidth test, should show you significantly lower numbers than the same test done on site A.
If that is so, you only need to focus on the connection from site A to B.
- What's the distance
- Any abnormal form of cabling (under the ground, through a pipe?)
- Correct speed on both sites (see network port LED, are both sites reporting the same speed?)
ASKER
There is 2(qty) Ethernet Cables running under ground through a pipe. They are Lagged from switch to switch. They are probably about 100ft long.
Running an internet Speed test from each building provides the same results.
I am currently experimenting with the Voice VLAN switch settings, just with the ports that have the IP phones connected to them. Dell sent me some suggestions. Here is what I have done to these ports so far:
Running an internet Speed test from each building provides the same results.
I am currently experimenting with the Voice VLAN switch settings, just with the ports that have the IP phones connected to them. Dell sent me some suggestions. Here is what I have done to these ports so far:
- STP Port Settings: Enabled Fast Link
- Added MED Network Policy for Voice
- Added Mitel's OUI
- Enabled Voice VLAN and defined Class of Service
I would agree with Kimputer that "there really is something wrong". I don't think it's a simple configuration issue.
I'd start with confirming how much bandwidth is really being used (monitor that in your switches) and then tracking down who is tying up the link.
I'd start with confirming how much bandwidth is really being used (monitor that in your switches) and then tracking down who is tying up the link.
ASKER
With Dell switches I can go into Statistics -> Utilization Summary. The port are all showing numbers from 0.02 - 0.18 under % Interface Utilization. I have tried several of the switches in Building B. What % number would be considered high? Is there anything else I should be looking at besides % Interface Utilization?
ASKER
Here is a Screenshot at what I am looking at. This is one of 4 switches in Building B
The key is to monitor this when the phones are reporting the bandwidth problems. Assuming that "0.09" is 0.09% and not 9%, none of your numbers look to be of concern. Is there any way to find out from the phone vendor what is actually being measured to give an "Insufficient Bandwidth Alarm"?
ASKER
This is the response from Mitel on the Alarm:
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ASKER
Sorry I am still trying to trouble shoot this issue. I have gotten Dell involved with some switch configuration using QoS, but I am still having issues. Has anyone ever used Wireshark to diagnose VOIP traffic? Any suggestion on how and if I could possible use that?
ASKER
Still troubleshooting with Dell. They are looking at some pause frames one the network. We are trying some experiments with Flow control.
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