In a typical small office environment, there are several computers connected to an Ethernet switch, sometimes integrated into a router. A router handles the connection between two or more IP networks. Routers look at the destination IP addresses of the packets passing through and rout them accordingly. In a network that shares data and voice, it is critical that the voice traffic has priority over the data packets. Some routers support Quality of Service (QoS) functionality for this purpose. These routers are identified as devices that support QoS, VoIP or prioritization.

5.2.3 Connecting to a LAN and IP network

Ensure the TalkSwitch or gateway is connected to a Local Area Network (LAN), equipped with an Ethernet switch and router or to a router with an integrated switch. A PC and the router/switch should be connected to the LAN for configuring the TalkSwitch unit.

Figure 124: LAN

ROUTER with integrated SWITCH

Hub/Switch

Router/NAT

Modem

TalkSwitch

 

Internet or

 

 

Private IP

 

 

Network

xDSL

LANCable Satellite etc.

To share voice and data properly, your network requires an Ethernet switch. A switch isolates the Ethernet ports from each other and only allows traffic intended for the device connected to that port. This ensures that data traffic doesn’t compete with voice traffic. The most successful way to separate voice and data traffic is to install a router using different subnets for voice and data.

5.2.3.1 Confirm sufficient network capacity for VoIP

Ensure that the LAN in each location has a reliable high-speed broadband connection to the Internet. The quality of VoIP calls, especially on mixed voice and data networks, depends on high data-transfer rates across the

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Talkswitch 48-CA/CVA, 24-CA manual Connecting to a LAN and IP network, Confirm sufficient network capacity for VoIP