The following is a brief overview of the general site network requirements to ensure a successful activation of your services. Following this guide will ensure you have an environment capable of supporting high quality voice services.

LAN Wiring

  • Category 5e (Cat5e) or higher rated network cable must be used anywhere that voice services will be provided. 
  • Category 3, or anything other then Category 5e or higher cabling is not supported and will need to be replaced to support IP communications.

Network Switches

  • Layer 2 network switch(es) with sufficient quantity of 100mbps or 1000mbps ethernet ports to accommodate one port per phone or ATA that will be connected to UniVoIP services.
  • Layer 2 VLANs - UniVoIP requires customers to maintain a separate VLAN for IP Phones in environments with more than 10 phones. This can allow for traffic isolation and VLAN based traffic prioritization.
  • Layer 2 switching functions and Layer 3 routing functions may be combined in the same device, or may be separate devices.

Routing and Services

  • Layer 3 device such as a firewall or router configured for outbound NAT. Device is to allow the phone and ATA devices to communicate with UniVoIP's Service Edge Networks.
  • IPv4 Public IP Address - Your IPv4 public IP address can be verified at http://whatismyipaddress.com/ds-check. A statically allocated IPv4 address is highly recommended. Please verify with your ISP if the address is statically assigned or dynamically allocated.
  • DNS - The phones require a functional DNS server in place to connect to UniVoIP's provisioning and signaling services. The DNS server address is usually supplied via DHCP option 6, but can be manually configured in a phone if necessary. Manual configuration is not recommended.
  • DHCP - The phones require an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server to fully boot and connect to UniVoIP services. These addresses are normally provided by a local DHCP service. If a local DHCP service is not available, it is possible to statically configure these values into each phone. Statically configured values are not recommended.
  • NAT - Outbound source NAT from the internal phone LAN is required. This is the default configuration of most SMB firewall devices. Phones will initiate all communication outbound to our services. There is no requirement for public inbound destination NAT rules. 
  • Ensure the network has been configured to allow communication to UniVoIP's Service Edge.
  • Ensure the network has been configured to prioritize the voice communication.

Power

  • IEEE 802.3af standards based PoE must be supplied to each IP phone. PoE may be supplied by 802.3af compatible network switches or by PoE adapters. Network switches with built in 802.3af support are recommended.
  • While not required, it is highly recommend that all physical network equipment including network switches, firewalls, routers, and ISP modems are supplied power via a UPS battery backup that can supply power and surge protection in the event of utility power failure.
  • Without a functional and properly sized UPS battery backup in place, when the utility power fails, inbound or outbound calling will not be possible until utility power is restored. For this reason it is recommend to ensure a functional UPS battery backup is in place and is tested regularly and PoE is provided by the network switch(es).
  • If PoE is provided by adapters for bricks, a UPS is required per phone or group of near by phones that will be required to stay functional in the event of a utility power failure.