Training:Site Survey

IPitomy Technical Training – Basic

Site Survey

The key to avoiding unexpected challenges when transitioning numbers and executing cutover is a thorough site evaluation. This process scrutinizes both the readiness of the telephony and network for a premise or cloud IP PBX.

Whenever an IP PBX installation is due, ensure to fill out the IPitomy Setup Guide. It assists in structuring the PBX deployment by helping collate the information required to configure and prime the site application. The guide also serves as a tangible backup for the database configuration.

Network & Telephony Readiness:

Service Type: SIP or Analog

• IPitomy recommends the use of IPitomy SIP trunks if reliable bandwidth is available
  • Advantages are:
    • High technical capabilities
    • Native Integration (Purchase Directly from IPitomy)
    • Reliable
    • Instant Scalability (Additional Trunks/Lines can be added by IPitomy SIP Support)
    • Mobility
    • No Hardware or Software Costs
    • Low Service & Maintenance Costs
    • Easy to configure
    • Guaranteed level of service from the provider

• Analog lines and PRI/T1 trunks at times are a necessary evil and should be used for fire alarms, elevators, security systems, etc. Check local state, city and county laws to determine if they are required. Build-in costs for additional testing and maintenance when you must use analog trunks. As part of the site survey you must know, for EACH Trunk circuit:
• Disadvantages of analog lines are:
  • Low technical capabilities
  • EOL
  • High Cost
  • Rarely an actual cable pair from CO to site
  • Impacted by elements such as magnetic, radio, and weather interference
  • No option for DID (Direct Inward Dial) feature
  • EOL Announcement: No longer being maintained, supported or

Phones & Extensions

• How many phones, what models and total extensions?
• Physically review each location where a telephone will be installed (Note: If there is an existing RJ45/Cat5 data drop/connection a phone may be used as a bridge connection to PC)
• Remote Employees will require additional programming, parts and service costs
• Analyze employees and their technical abilities; factor in training costs for users with little to no technical experience
• Prepare to train users – on-line training and documentation is available at IPitomy Documentation Repository.

Network Readiness

The network is the Backplane of the IP PBX. In old, obsolete telephony solutions (TDM, Switched Matrix) the backplane was designed and controlled by the PBX manufacturer – not so in IP Telephony. Networks must be setup and configured properly to allow for VoIP. Voice traffic should be given priority over all other network traffic types (QOS/COS). The benefits of voice on the network are numerous but voice traffic is not forgiving as is data traffic. RTP (Real Time Protocol) traffic (voice) cannot be interrupted without impacting voice connection performance. In rare cases where existing network performance is not up to VoIP standards (packet loss, latency, heavy load, etc), it may be beneficial to build out a second, physically separate voice network to protect and prevent voice quality from these issues.

Cabling & WiFi – Is the correct cable in place?

• Cat5e or Cat6 cable is required
• Each location where an extension is to be placed must have an individual cable run to the location from the Switch location.
• Test each cable and the associated hardware (wall jack, connectors, and Patch Cables. Essentially ALL parts of the cable that will be used to connect the telephone to the Switch.)
• Are there any unused cables that are connected to the network – disconnect all unused hardware as they represent unknown transients on the network.
• Test WiFi signal and speed to determine if a WiFi phone can be deployed (must be connected to power outlet)

WAN – ISP

• Who is the Internet Service Provider at the site?
• Should this change?
• Cost advantages can be offered in association with Internet Service Providers and IPitomy SIP Trunks.
• ISP Bandwidth & Performance (One VoIP Call uses ~90KBPS of bandwidth)
• Free Bandwidth and Speed Test
• Keep in mind that ISP bandwidth testers are momentary snap-shots of the performance of your WAN (Internet) connection.
• Several tests should be performed during the hours of operation at the site where the IP PBX will be installed.
• IPitomy offers a VoIP Qualification Test for both on premise and cloud systems.

Router

• What kind of Router is in use? Check Compatibility Guide
• Identify IP Address type:
  • Static or Dynamic
• Who is Network Admin?
  • If third party manages network, router, firewall, switches etc you will need their assistance and access to open & forward ports and enabling & disabling settings.

• Requirements
• Port Forwarding
• NAT (Network Address Translation)
• Disabling SIP ALG (Application Layer Gateway)
• ALG’s often contribute to one-way audio issues.
*ALG’s often inhibit Remote Phone operation
• Can DD-WRT be loaded onto the router on site?
  • We have found that the DD-WRT Linux-based router software generally NAT’s well.
  • http://www.dd-wrt.com, then go to “Router Database” and search for the router using brand and model number informat
• Is a Sonicwall® present? If so, significant programming will be required to assure that no voice traffic (BOTH LAN and WAN traffic) is impeded.
• If using a Sonicwall® router/firewall;
  • Add cost to cover troubleshooting erratic telephone performance.
  • Consider installing a second Router in Gateway mode with its own Public IP to avoid Sonicwall® voice traffic issues.
  • Sonicwall® firewalls and routers with Sonicwall® firewalls add packet-evaluation algorithms that can “flag” voice traffic as offensive-behavior traffic and therefore impede voice connections.
  • Visit Router Info: Sonicwall for IPitomy recommended programming information

  Switch

  The Switch is critical to network performance and quality voice connections. Patch cables connected to the switch must be of high quality and tested (as part of cabling) for each port of the Switch. We recommend use of Managed Switches with QOS capabilities.

  Each time an IP PBX is to be deployed you should answer the following questions about the Switch(es) in place on site:

  • Are they managed (programmable)?
  • Are there enough ports to accommodate the number of telephones that will be installed?
  • Are the Switch ports POE (Power Over Ethernet)?
    • POE is desired for the “cleanest” installation since no power supply is required at each telephone location when using POE
    • POE is also desirable because it provides one point of backup (UPS on Switch supports telephones connected – they stay functional during power outage).

    Functions of a Switch

    • Analyze arriving packets
    • Direct packet traffic to ports of the switch known to be connected to the packet-identified destination
    • Apply traffic-rules to all traffic as specified in the managed table programming (QOS/COS)
    • Can provide POE to power telephones from a central point

    Preliminary Verification

    VOIP is a packet-based technology as such it uses the network to deliver advanced communications services. The network will be shared with all network devices including the PBX and telephones. Assuring the voice packets have priority over data packets is essential to success. In some instances issues may arise that can cause network performance issues that can affect the proper delivery of communications services. Verifying that no problems exist on the network that would have a negative effect on voice communications is essential.

    
    

    Options:

    • Fully integrate into existing network
      
      IP Phones [IP330 shown] and IP PBX installed onto existing LAN with existing devices (printer, Laptop, PC, PC)
    
    • Install separate Cat 5 cable plan for phones
      
      IP Phones (IP330 shown) and IP PBX installed using a separate network infrastructure; separate cable and separate data switch, the link between these two topologies is at the router.
    
    • Separate network (voice / data) (separate router)
      
      IP Phones and IP PBX installed on a completely isolated network.
      
      Local traffic (LAN) between the networks are coupled using Router Bridge functions
    

    
    

    Aids/tools:

    • Network Analysis
      • MicroConvergent (Third-party network analysis company) MC can help you pinpoint issues that elude you.
      • SIP Trunk – many SIP providers provide SIP trunks for verification purposes.
      • Perform a network analysis using available third-party tools or internally developed process.
    • Obtain a SIP trunk from a recognized provider . Install this test SIP trunk onto your IPitomy demo system. Test the site using your demo IP PBX and IP Telephone and SIP trunk. This will give you a small window of the anticipated performance you may expect on site.

    Checklist

    Check off each of the above items for each site where an IPitomy IP PBX is to be installed. Seek to identify issues before cutover rather than after. The checklist will also help you to identify areas of concern that are not known network qualities… this is important if something goes wrong. A customer sign-off may be appropriate when a customer chooses not to follow recommendations.

    Notes on Checklists:

    • Never assume that a network is performing at its highest efficiency
    • Always allow for corrective action to be taken if network performance does not sustain adequate voice traffic.
      • Be ready to bill your customer for corrective actions required that could not be known prior to the IP PBX application being installed.
      • SIP trunks and VoIP are internet-based and are therefore a non-guaranteed voice connection service due to fluctuations in bandwidth and WAN network performance.

      Common Sense Disclosure

      It is important to understand that the network performance is the responsibility of the customer. Any undisclosed issues that arise during installation that are network related must be resolved and may result in additional costs. This should be discussed in advance clearly stating who bears the responsibility for expenses related to optimizing network performance for VOIP.

      Any changes made to the network should be disclosed prior to and after installation to avoid unnecessary service calls caused as a result of performance issues. For instance if a user plugs in a laptop with a fixed IP Address that is in conflict with any other network device (static or DHCP assigned) this device will cause network performance issues.