VoIP over 802.11a, g, n (or maybe b)
VoIP, VoIP over wireless, WISP
I am in the process of starting my own venture as a WISP. I currently work for a WISP and we have constantly had problems pushing the VoIP across our network. Our network is a mix of 802.11a, b and g. Some of our point-to-multipoint APs are 2.4GHz b and g and others are 5GHz a. Our backbone is primarily 5.3GHz. We constantly struggle with QoS issues regarding VoIP. Some of our problems (of course) is our carrier and the number of hops our traffic takes before it reaches their switches on the other side of the country. But, when we've tested other carriers with switches closer to hoe and other configurations that would seem to put them ahead in keeping our QoS acceptable after it leaves our network, we get almost the same results. Thereby, coming, over and over again, to looking at what we can do on our network to mitigate the problems.We have tried numerous solutions- current bandwidth management protocols/applications, smart routing within our own network to try to give the traffic an edge before it hits the public Internet, different QoS applications/overlays/devices. We have looked at almost everything short of ripping out our whole network and re-engineering it from the head end to the end-user.
Now, here I am, getting into it myself. I have done a lot of research and think I have a good overview of IP/packet-based communications, RF networking (at least in microwave) and VoIP in particular as a marketable comodity.
Does anyone out there know of site, person or company that can help optimize VoIP over 802.11 cost-effectively? I could solve all my problems with a licenced 802.16 solution but do not have that kind of capital and, in theory, 802.11 should do everything I want/need. No more, usually, than 100 nodes off of any one access point. APs 2-4 miles apart. Throughput 6-10 megs at any on AP, 17-20 megs across the backbone.
You get the idea. I'm not looking for the holy grail. Maybe someone has different configuration sets mapped out for specific devices and how they would integrate/interoperate with various other devices and applications to most optimally push VoIP over a WLAN with many nodes. Meshing is tough here because of LOS issues.
Any help here would be appreciated and would be returned professionally.
