Enabling QoS for VoIP on Ubiquiti EdgeMax Routers

Quality of Service (QoS) on Ubiquiti EdgeMax routers can significantly enhance the performance of VoIP applications by prioritizing voice traffic over other types of network traffic. This guide will walk you through the steps to configure QoS for VoIP on an EdgeMax router.

Step 1: Determine Your Bandwidth Requirements

Before configuring QoS, accurately assess your bandwidth needs to ensure sufficient resources for VoIP communications:

Conduct a Speed Test

  • Use an online tool to measure your internet speed at different times to understand bandwidth fluctuations.

Calculate VoIP Bandwidth Needs

  • Allocate approximately 100Kbps per concurrent VoIP call. For example, if you expect up to 10 concurrent calls, reserve at least 1Mbps.

Step 2: Configuring QoS on EdgeMax Router

The EdgeMax router uses a smart queue management system to handle QoS, which simplifies the process of prioritizing VoIP traffic.

Access the EdgeRouter

  • Connect to your EdgeRouter via a web browser or SSH.
  • Log in with your administrative credentials.

Set Up Basic Smart Queue

  • Navigate to the QoS tab.
  • Select the Smart Queue option.
  • Add a new smart queue and configure it as follows:
    • Upload Bandwidth: Set based on the results from your speed test minus approximately 10-15% to account for overhead.
    • Download Bandwidth: Similarly, set this based on your speed test results minus overhead.

Advanced Configuration for VoIP

  • For more precise control, you might want to implement advanced QoS settings using the CLI (Command Line Interface):
    • Configure traffic policies to prioritize UDP traffic on ports typically used by SIP (5060) and RTP (10000-60000).
    • TCP traffic on ports SIP (5060)

Step 3: Monitor and Adjust QoS Settings

After applying your QoS configurations, monitoring their impact is crucial:

Monitor Traffic

  • Regularly review the performance and effectiveness of your QoS settings through the EdgeMax interface.
  • Check for packet loss or jitter that could affect VoIP quality.

Adjust as Needed

  • Based on ongoing monitoring, adjust your bandwidth allocations or QoS rules to optimize VoIP performance.

Conclusion

Setting up QoS for VoIP on your Ubiquiti EdgeMax router can dramatically improve the clarity and reliability of your voice communications. Regular monitoring and adjustments ensure that your network remains optimized for VoIP traffic.