Enabling QoS for VoIP on MikroTik Routers

Quality of Service (QoS) is crucial for ensuring that voice over IP (VoIP) communications are clear and uninterrupted. In a MikroTik router, you can configure QoS to prioritize VoIP traffic, which is essential for maintaining call quality in a business environment. This guide will walk you through the steps to allocate bandwidth specifically for VoIP use, with recommendations based on the size of your business and expected concurrent calls.

Step 1: Determining Bandwidth Requirements

Before configuring QoS, it’s important to understand your current bandwidth and how much you need to allocate for VoIP:

  1. Conduct a Speed Test:
    • Use an online speed test tool (such as https://www.speedtest.net/) to determine your current internet upload and download speeds.
    • Perform the test at different times to account for peak and off-peak usage variations.
  2. Estimate VoIP Bandwidth:
    • Allocate 1Mbps to 10Mbps for VoIP. The exact amount depends on your business size and call volume.
    • A rough guide: Allocate about 100Kbps per concurrent call. For example, if you expect 10 concurrent calls, allocate 1Mbps.

Step 2: Configuring QoS on MikroTik Router

Access your MikroTik router interface to start setting up QoS:

  1. Login to MikroTik Router:
    • Open your browser and enter your MikroTik IP address.
    • Login using your credentials.
  2. Create Mangle Rules:
    • Go to IP > Firewall > Mangle.
    • Create two new rules to mark packets for SIP signaling and RTP media:
      • SIP Signaling:
        • Chain: prerouting
        • Protocol: tcp and udp
        • Dst. Port: 5060
        • Action: mark connection
        • New Connection Mark: sip_conn
      • RTP Media:
        • Chain: prerouting
        • Protocol: udp
        • Dst. Port: 10000-60000
        • Action: mark connection
        • New Connection Mark: rtp_conn
  3. Queue Setup:
    • Navigate to Queue > Simple Queue.
    • Create a new queue for VoIP:
      • Target: Enter your local network range, e.g., 192.168.1.0/24.
      • Max Limit: Set the maximum bandwidth (up to your allocated VoIP bandwidth).
      • Priority: Set a higher priority for VoIP traffic.
  4. Apply Traffic Prioritization:
    • Ensure that the VoIP traffic has higher priority over other types of traffic.
    • This setting helps maintain call quality even during high network usage.

Step 3: Monitoring and Adjustments

  • Monitor VoIP Traffic:
    • Regularly check the QoS settings’ effectiveness in the Queue section.
    • Look for any packet drops or quality issues.
  • Adjust as Necessary:
    • Depending on your observations, you might need to adjust the bandwidth allocation.
    • Consider the impact of other applications and adjust their bandwidth allocation if necessary.

Conclusion

By prioritizing VoIP traffic on your MikroTik router, you can significantly improve call quality and ensure smoother communication. Remember, network conditions can change, so it’s important to periodically review and adjust your QoS settings as needed.

If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact your network administrator or MikroTik’s support for more guidance.