{"id":21412,"date":"2010-07-22T09:38:09","date_gmt":"2010-07-22T13:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.voipsupply.com\/?p=21412"},"modified":"2016-06-28T14:23:53","modified_gmt":"2016-06-28T18:23:53","slug":"designing-a-wireless-voip-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voipsupply.com\/blog\/voip-insider\/designing-a-wireless-voip-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Designing a Wireless VoIP System"},"content":{"rendered":"

In my last post I discussed the benefits of utilizing wireless VoIP in both a WiFi environment and a cordless DECT environment.<\/p>\n

Both types provide users the freedom of mobility while still being able to have constant access to their telephone.\u00a0 Now we will look at how to go about designing and setting up a wireless VoIP system. \u00a0\u00a0Since the cordless DECT phones have a base station that is directly connected to the network with CAT5 cabling<\/a>, this post will focus on setting up a wireless network for WiFi phones.<\/p>\n

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Wireless LAN<\/h2>\n

In order to use wireless VoIP<\/a> in your home or business, you must have a wireless LAN (local area network) set up so the WiFi phones can get internet connection.\u00a0\u00a0 The WiFi VoIP phones can use the same LAN that is also used for computers and other wireless devices.\u00a0 To effectively make and receive VoIP calls the first necessity is to have a broadband internet connection with adequate bandwidth.<\/p>\n

Routers and Access Points<\/h2>\n

Secondly, you must have a wireless broadband router, or a wireless access point connected to a broadband modem, in order to transmit the signal to the WiFi phone.\u00a0 A wireless access point (WAP or AP) is a device that \u201cconnects\u201d wireless communication devices together to create a wireless network.\u00a0 The size of the area that needs to be included in the network, as well as the number of users, will determine how many wireless access points are required.\u00a0\u00a0 Placement of the access points is critical as well.\u00a0 The obvious goal is to maximize the AP\u2019s wireless range.<\/p>\n

A usual range is a maximum of 300 feet, but walls and other environmental factors can produce interference that will decrease that range.\u00a0 A distance of about 150 feet between AP\u2019s is a safe number in order to have continuous coverage throughout the area.<\/p>\n

Doing a site survey and strategically placing the AP\u2019s throughout the entire area included in the network is encouraged as well.<\/p>\n

Quality of Service<\/h2>\n

Another important factor to consider when setting up a wireless VoIP network is QoS, or Quality of Service.\u00a0 QoS is the differentiation between types of traffic on a network so they can be treated differently and prioritized.\u00a0 In a network where VoIP is used for communication, you will want to give the ultimate priority to the voice traffic over the data traffic.<\/p>\n

This will help to alleviate some of the issues experienced with VoIP, such as packet loss, latency, jitter and echo.\u00a0 The use of WiFi phones can increase the likelihood of experiencing those voice quality issues if QoS is not taken into account, which makes it very important to integrate routers that have QoS capabilities when setting up your network.<\/p>\n

Security<\/h2>\n

The last point to touch on in this post is security of your wireless network.\u00a0 Wireless communications are transmitted through the air, which makes it easy for hackers to intercept information if the network is not secure.\u00a0 There are many wireless specific security solutions that you can implement including a few basic options listed here:<\/p>\n