I am using Trixbox with xlite and ibeam sip phones.
I have 20mbps down and 2mbps up dedicated to only trixbox.
computer is an Intel 1.6 C2D with 2 gb of ram
I am experiencing poor sound quality.
I have about 15 phone ext but only 3 in use the majority of the time.
I also have a que that always has 4 calls in it.
What is the best thing to get good stable sound quality?
and how do I implement it.
Thanks
Gordon
1) Your internet connection seems sufficient, but you havent described your phone call connectivity. I will assume is VOIP
2) Your trixbos server hardware seems fine, but that doesnt guarantee that you have set up the system correctly.
3) Are you using the SIP phones on the SAME network as the Trixbox? Are the users using headsets? Are they using the speakerphones
And now the most important: Whats your network setup???
You could have a gigabit ethernet with a fiber optic internet, but the wrong equipment or the right equipment setup incorrectly can ruin everything.
Please explain your setup a bit more and then we can start to see whats screwing things up.
It could be that the system is hiccuping, but a core 2 duo 1.6 w/2gb ram should handle 3 simultaneous calls at once without any issue.
All calls are sip, voip through voicepulse
Sip phones are on another network, running old dells with xp pro.
running these headsets http://www.voipsupply.com/audio-350
Trixbox is live on the network, no firewall, no router, no switch.
Trixbox has a new gigabyte nic in it.
I have never seen the Trixbox machine running at more then a 3% cpu load.
The sip phones are on another 20mbps comcast line. They are behind a very complex firewall and several switches.
I never thought it was an issue with your speed, but it seems to be an issue with your setup, firewalls, and possibly (But i doubt it) the computers that are running hte softphones.
I will respond in more detail later today
Post the output of the following......
From commandline on your PBX...
mtr -rc 27 nyc.voicepulse.com
If you are using another sip proxy then substitute it for nyc.voicepulse.com. This will give you more of an idea of the routes taken and latency between hops on a full trip to your SIP provider.
Also looking at the above screenshot... If you are in Denver CO why are you not using Vitelity? You could try using IAX in this case to see if it was better. The reason I mention IAX is because sometimes Comcast is not very SIP friendly (lower priority on RTP traffic).
Also are you using a card for timing or ztdummy?
What does your "zttest" look like?
When posting output such as mtr please, please use the [code]tags[/code]
mtr is not installed by default, you will have to 'yum install mtr'
Scott
aka "Skyking"
[infomedia.voicefish.com ~]# sudo yum install mtr Loading "installonlyn" plugin Setting up Install Process Setting up repositories addons 100% |=========================| 951 B 00:00 trixbox 100% |=========================| 1.1 kB 00:00 base 100% |=========================| 1.1 kB 00:00 trixboxaddons 100% |=========================| 951 B 00:00 updates 100% |=========================| 951 B 00:00 extras 100% |=========================| 1.1 kB 00:00 Reading repository metadata in from local files Excluding Packages from CentOS-5 - Addons Finished Excluding Packages from CentOS-5 - Base Finished Excluding Packages from CentOS-5 - Updates Finished Excluding Packages from CentOS-5 - Extras Finished Parsing package install arguments Resolving Dependencies --> Populating transaction set with selected packages. Please wait. ---> Downloading header for mtr to pack into transaction set. mtr-0.72-1.el5.rf.i386.rp 100% |=========================| 4.1 kB 00:01 ---> Package mtr.i386 2:0.72-1.el5.rf set to be updated --> Running transaction check Dependencies Resolved ============================================================================= Package Arch Version Repository Size ============================================================================= Installing: mtr i386 2:0.72-1.el5.rf trixbox 79 k Transaction Summary ============================================================================= Install 1 Package(s) Update 0 Package(s) Remove 0 Package(s) Total download size: 79 k Is this ok [y/N]: y Downloading Packages: (1/1): mtr-0.72-1.el5.rf. 100% |=========================| 79 kB 00:06 Running Transaction Test warning: mtr-0.72-1.el5.rf: Header V3 DSA signature: NOKEY, key ID 6b8d79e6 Finished Transaction Test Transaction Test Succeeded Running Transaction Installing: mtr ######################### [1/1] Installed: mtr.i386 2:0.72-1.el5.rf Complete! [infomedia.voicefish.com ~]# sudo mtr -rc 27 nyc.voicepulse.com sudo: mtr: command not found [infomedia.voicefish.com ~]# mtr start -bash: mtr: command not found [infomedia.voicefish.com ~]# mtr -rc 27 nyc.voicepulse.com -bash: mtr: command not found [infomedia.voicefish.com ~]#
I told you how to install mrt - the other poster asked you to run a mtr trace to your provider.
Scott
aka "Skyking"
I told you how to install mrt - the other poster asked you to run a mtr trace to your provider.
Scott
aka "Skyking"
I did, I posted the results of the install
but when I tried to run mrt it said command not found.
I figured you would see the results of the install then see the results saying command not found and realize the I dont know what command to run to start the process.
I have never heard of Vitelity
First.... run a
updatedb
Then
locate mtr
You should hopefully see it in the
/usr/sbin/mtr
try to run it again with the full path
/usr/sbin/mtr -rc 27 nyc.voicepulse.com
You should do some searches on vitelity (look around forum or google). Geographically they are much closer to you and are well established, but hey that's just my opinion..... I'm sure voicepulse is good as well but you need to run the mtr command again on both voicepulse and vitelity sip servers to see which one is closer and has less latency with your comcast internet connection.
I dont think this is correct, but...
[infomedia.voicefish.com /]# /usr/sbin/mtr -rc nyc.voicepulse.com HOST: infomedia.voicefish.com Loss% Snt Last Avg Best Wrst StDev [infomedia.voicefish.com /]#
Do you have ICMP blocked in the firewall?
What type of firewall are you using? You need to supply more information on your network topology.
Scott
aka "Skyking"
Trixbox is not behind a firewall.
The other computers are behind a pfsense custom built firewall. It is a dell box that has three Wans and one Lan. I set each firewall rule as needed. Port 5060 is not blocked, ICMP is not blocked. I ran the mtr from inside trixbox as stated earlier there is not a firewall associated with trixbox. Trixbox is plugged directly into a cable modem. No router, switch or firewall.
I have some new information about the quality issues.
Two computer located upstairs on the same network are running vista. There sound quality is perfect.
Three sales computers downstairs are running xp pro. They are older computers. I added a usb adapter for the head phones and the sound quaility is better bet no great. I tried moving one of the vista machines downstairs but the issues reamains the same. The downstairs computer are connect to an 8 port lynxes switch, then a 24 pot netgear switch,then another 24port netgear switch, then firewall.
The upstairs computers are connected to the two netgear switchs then firewall.
All switches are 10/100, Is there a possibility that the multiple switchs are having issues handling the up traffic. I dont see why, the switch can handle a lot more then required?
You can't seriously expect us to have a concept on the network you described.
Part of your problem is the firewall between the trix and the phones.
Take the trix off the Internet before someone hacks you.
In my professional opinion your network is a mess. If you put together a Visio drawing I could make some constructive suggestions.
Scott
aka "Skyking"
I have over 75 computer and a three story building, my network is not a mess it is a very profession business network.
Sorry, but I am not a home user.
Since when is trixbox that insecure. I though it was a professionally built linux system. I can move it behind a firewall but do not feel any linux server needs to be. If you are good at building servers you can secure linux machines. Im just not any good with centOS.
Oh jesus.
Since when is trixbox that insecure. I though it was a professionally built linux system.
Of course "professionally built" software is never insecure. I mean, Microsoft has never been compromised, right? A number of the hacks recently have not been issues with the OS itself, but have exploited SIP servers on the net with weak extension secrets that were brute forced. Once the bot finds an account it can compromise, it starts making calls with the purpose of stealing identities.
I can move it behind a firewall but do not feel any linux server needs to be.
I can only hope you're not serious. Every Internet facing system that you care about had better damn well be behind a firewall. You will get compromised or at minimum you may leak information about your systems that you wouldn't want exposed.
In frankness, I can only agree with Scott. It's a mess over there and you're endangering your 75 computers and whatever business you do.
Josh
I walked away for a day and bam i see that not much progress has been made.
Detailed network setup is really needed.
I posted my network information and everyone went crazy. I said trixbox isnt behind a firewall. All other computers are. If trixbox is compromised it will not affect my other computer since you can not get from one to the other.
When trixbox is working correctly outside a firewall I will move it behind one. However I am sick of having hundreds of people tell me how to configure my firewall. Therefor, When asking for help I always move my servers outside of the firewall.
What specifically would you jcuby like to know. I appreciate your help.
The firewall is in between the phones and the trixbox and you are complaining about QoS issues.
Put the trix in the same network as the phones so you have a fighting chance.
Scott
aka "Skyking"
Well you can put it back behind the firewall. I agree with everyone else that there is no need for it to be in front.
If your TB gets compromised, the hacker is probably not trying to use it to get access to your network, but most likely will try and make as many calls as he can as fast as he can to whatever 900 or international numbers he wants... making your phone bill huge. After that he might try to get onto your network...
So your current setup is from my understanding:
Internet -> Trixbox -> Firewall -> Network ?
Network: What type of switches, cables, etc -> Computers, Where softphones are running on "Old Dells"
-Whats running on these computers? Are their resources all tied up?
Are your computers virus free? Are any running bittorent??
At a company I worked for once a user had bittorent and another p2p program running. All the computers in her area were reporting slower LAN connection speeds as her computer took up the router's resources and produced a large volume of traffic.
Some low level routers cant handle many computers as well.
I would also like to see the results of the mtr test.
And PS: Vitelity.com is a great service provider that I use, and many other people on this and other forums use because theyre cheap, quick, reliable, and have great sound quality.
Voicepulse has gotten good reviews too though.
I am going to move trixbox behind the firewall after hours today.
I found a computer that had Vuze running. It was creating havoc on my network. Turns out it was the Presidents computer.
I disabled Vuze and uninstalled it from his computer. Plus I put a bandwidth cap on his computer. For some reason it was flooding my switches and slowing everything down.
I found a computer that had Vuze running. It was creating havoc on my network. Turns out it was the Presidents computer.
I disabled Vuze and uninstalled it from his computer. Plus I put a bandwidth cap on his computer. For some reason it was flooding my switches and slowing everything down
You should have the phopnes in a seperate VLAN as well as a proper QOS setup. You didn't specify the model of switches but If they are managed they should be able to do VLANS and at least basic QOS. In a properly configured network this would have not been an issue.
He should also compensate everyone for the time they wasted on him while he defended his "professional" network.
Scott
aka "Skyking"
He should also compensate everyone for the time they wasted on him while he defended his "professional" network.
I agree with that....
However one comment about the vlans statement (two up). The poster will most likely not be able to utilize vlans as he is using softphones. About the best that they can do is hope for some type of DSCP QoS (expedited forwarding) but this is dependent on the options available on the softphones......
The poster will most likely not be able to utilize vlans as he is using softphones.
I missed that. Sometimes I read through these things too fast.
I have several items for you:
1. I've always been told that you cannot have three levels to a network. For example, the main switch, a second switch then computers. If you have a third switch in the mix then you will get data corruption or packet issues. Therefore try moving one of the bad Dell XP machines to either the main switch or to a second tier switch and see what happens.
2. Cable modems and cable internet sucks. Here's a good example. At my house I use to have both DSL from AT&T with speeds of 3000/512 and Time Warner Cable Modem with speeds of 6000/1000. When I connected my vonage box to the DSL modem the sounds was great and we had no issues at all. IF we simply unplugged the DSL and connected the cable modem, suddently the vonage lines sounded horrible, dropped packets and even dropped calls. The reason is that a Cable Modem connection is not a straight shot to the internet. Instead it has to go through hoops after hoops after hoops past neighborhood by neighborhood until it gets to the main office. However the DSL connection is a straight shot to the CO, then a straight shot to the internet.
3. Also keep in mind that both DSL and Cable Modems are half-duplex devices. They can either send or receive data within one cycle of the CPU. However a T1 or T3 line is a full duplex device meaning it can send AND receive data within the same cycle.
Bottom line is you need to bring in a T1 line from your local T1 providor (we recommend and sell cBeyond) and run your Trixbox behind the T1 circuit. You'll be much happier in the end.
Dean
Anaheim, CA
Dean -
A record, wrong on every count.
1 - Spanning tree protocol can support topologies with as many as 40 bridges. Besides this point is moot with VLAN's as they isolate traffic from a layer 2 perspective
2 - You can't make a blanket statement like this, some DSL is poor as is some cable. You claim the path is CO to the Internet. Well the backbone of DSL is typically ATM, the ATM network is oversubscribed to the DSLAM which is also oversubscribed. There is usually only one DSLAM per LATA.
3 - Right on half duplex wrong on cycles, it has nothing to do with cycles. The RX in the modem squelches and turns around from a directional standpoint. It does not occur every cyly, just every baud. This becomes complicated with multi-phased modulation. Since there is no full duplex technology (even the Passive Optical networks such as FiOS are half duplex) for SOHO it also is a moot point.
Scott
aka "Skyking"
In my location I can not get a decent t1 or t3. I currently have a t1 that cost me $700 a month. There inst enough bandwidth for all the phones and the quality is terrible. I was told that for about 30k I could get fiber run to my building. I spent 6 months talking to every company in the region. I even placed an add on Craigslist offering $100 to anyone who could come up with a solution for getting me a true t3. Over thirty comanies tried and all said I was out luck.
My comcast is a direct shot to the CO because of my location. I had the primary node installed and I am the only account on the node. It was a very large ordeal to get any internet at all, but I am certain I am the only one on this node.
Do to some of the first suggestions I went back to basics and started testing multiple headsets, phones and computers. The issue was caused by the sound cards in the old dell. I added a usb adapter to the old dells and the sound quality improved 100%.
As for the multiple switches I agree, However the company wont spend the money to redo the switches at this time. They just dont see a reason since there internet access is incredible.
Thanks
Well I am glad you investigated and found out what was wrong with your network (Other than the many people pointing out Setup issues, Vlan, etc).
People often forget that END USERS are probably the cause 90% of problems.
-My phone is broken -> Well did you unplug it, because when I come to your desk you took the ethernet plug out of it and put it into your laptop... = A way to say I need another ethernet cable but didnt want to ask.
-My computer isnt working, I cant login = I forgot my password, Caps Lock is On, I am over some limit on my capacity
If suddenly your network slows down, but the hardware seems fine -> CHECK THE USERS. Someones most likely doing something theyre not supposed to.
Goodluck with your setup, hopefully now youll either implement some QoS/VLan/Seperate Network or at least see some quality increases as the network is less congested from bittorent
Thank You JChuby for you assistance.
I have isolated the phones to there own comcast line.
I have blocked all torrent protocols.
I have added bandwidth caps all most all users.
I have a unique situation. My system has three Comcast WAN, that are then loadbalanced for LAN traffic. It works wonderfully for traditional internet traffic. However, there are often issues with phones and such.
As for all the switches, there are only about 3 computer behind a third switch and they are not running phones.
I am very new to this industry and have been given an opportunity to grow with a company.
I still have a lot to learn and do not even pretend to know enough, Without the help of
professionals such as yourself I would be nowhere.
Thanks
This is what the forums are for...
You post, some people might tell you that your setup is wrong, might even seem mean - but its all in the interest of helping out.
Goodluck!
Scott:
Thanks for correcting me. That's why I like this forum so much!
1. Like I said, "I've been told..." that you can only have two switches in line but from what you stated I guess I was told wrong. The strange part is that I've been told this several times and I've read it several times which is why I've always stuck to that rule.
2. I've dealt with customers around the US with several internet issues and most of the problems usually come from a cable connection. We had one case where we setup a VPN between the main office on a DSL line (3000/768) and the remote client was on a cable connection that was twice the DSL speed. But once we got the VPN routers configured the transfer speed was horrible. After many many tests the company paid to get DSL installed at the remote user's house. Wala, the speed of the VPN improved drastically and even though their DSL was slower than their cable the actual throughput through the VPN was faster. And don't get me started on how cable companies and now some phone companies are doing bandwidth shaping... So my rule of thumb has been and always will be that a thrid-party DSL is better than Cable or the phone company's DSL service.
3. Hmm, interesting. I've been to several technical classes on high-speed internet and the instructor told me that asynchronous is when the data transfer is not tied to a clock and happens in half duplex meaning it can only send or recieve but can't do both at the same time. Syncronous systems, such as T1 lines, are tied to a clock cycle and can send and receive data at the same time. But after reading your reply it sounds like I was taught wrong. Is that correct?
You can have async and duplex, a good example is Ethernet or ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode).
To be truly full duplex you need discrete forward and return paths.
However technology gets around everything, if you have a half duplex link you can deliver signal and recover timing if your bearer speed is 1/2 your line speed plus squelch turn around time. This is how the phone companies deliver tariff grade T1's over SDSL lines.
DOCSIS 2.0 bearer cap is around 30MB so the speed is not the issue.
The way DOCSIS handles multiple sessions can cause many issues. This is why I do not recommend SIP over DOCSIS only IAX. If you have one IAX stream and one VPN stream you can get excellent performance.
Scott
aka "Skyking"
You are above my level, but I will explain my system in the hopes that it helps you.
My company is located at the edge of town and we have very limited options. The only companies that can provide service in this area are Qwest and Comcast. Qwest wants over 3K a month for 3 T1 lines. They cannot get a true T3 line to run through the main node for this building. Even if I wanted to pay that kind of money I don't feel it would work. I currently have one of there T1 lines. We had to cap the bandwidth back to 756k because of packet loss do to signal strength issues. If Qwest cannot provide an adequate T1 why could the provide 3 T1's ?
So, for a total of $300 a month I was able to get three Comcast business lines installed. Currently they are running at 16down and 2up. However by the end of the year I will have all three running at 50down and 10up. That gives me a total of 150 down and 30 up.
Comcast doesn't regulate bandwidth on the business accounts. I had the node installed so at this time I am the only customer on the node. My signal doesn't run through a neighborhood.
I have then taken the 3 Comcast lines and tied them into a pfSense box that I built to allow for a round robin distribution. TrixBox and Viop packets are restricted to one cable modem. All other traffic goes to the other two cable modems. If one modem fails traffic can fall over to the Trixbox modem just to keep everything running until I can fix the problem.
I have ordered a Dell Gigabyte switch to replace the current 24 port Netgear 10/100. When the new switch comes in I will eliminate the third tear switch.
I replaced the head sets on the old XP machines with a $50 pair of USB headsets. My agents love the new headsets and say the quality is perfect. I have had 5 agents on the phone and 8 calls on hold with the current setup and no quality issues. At the moment two of the XP machines are behind three switch. However they seem to be working great. First level is a netgear 24 port 10/100, second level is also a netgear 24 port 10/100 and the third level is a linksys 16 port 10/100. The only computer on the third switch are two of the old XP dells. The first level switch has all 12-14 ports in use. The second level switch has 10 - 15 ports in use. Then there is also a wireless modem tied in to the first switch. The primary switch is not meant to handle this amount of data transfer. Therefore the new Dell Gigabyte 48 port 10/100/1000.
I have not taken any classes on networking, therefore no one told me I couldn't do this. After running the numbers I have found that my system can overload the switch.
Thanks
First, on the t1. T1's are tariff offerings. If the cable plant is insufficient they must install the necessary repeaters and outside plant to meet specification. Reducing bandwidth does not help, T1's are clocked at 1.5. There is no such thing as a 768k t1. A fractional t1 uses less than all channels on the t1 however the carrier still contains Q 24 64k DS0 circuits. Data applications join these channels together.
My comments on cable don't apply to you. The Biz class service is DOCSIS 3.0 which uses RF channel bonding and other mechanisms to achieve the bandwidth.
The majority of your traffic is outgoing I assume?
Is your SIP carrier 'on network' with Comcast? You still have the variability of the Internet. At your level I would find a local SIP carrier that is capable of delivering a dedicated layer 2 connection to your premise. Qwest won't deliver Optiman to your building?
Scott
aka "Skyking"
Is your SIP carrier 'on network' with Comcast? You still have the variability of the Internet. At your level I would find a local SIP carrier that is capable of delivering a dedicated layer 2 connection to your premise. Qwest won't deliver Optiman to your building?
- The only network provider i can get in this building is Comcast. It wouldnt matter if I wanted to spend 100k no one has the ability to get bandwidth to this area. I posted an add on Craigslist offing $100 cash to anyone who could find a company that was willing to provide me with a T3 or better connection. After a few hundred calls and 30 or more companies coming out to inspect my location it was concluded that i was out of luck. I only got comcast with an offer of $10k to cover installation costs.
T1's are clocked at 1.5. There is no such thing as a 768k t1. A fractional t1 uses less than all channels on the t1 however the carrier still contains Q 24 64k DS0 circuits. Data applications join these channels together.
- No idea, i know that when I test the bandwidth it is only 756k. I also know that quest said they had to cap the bandwidth do to signal issues. I didnt research this as to it was done before I started working here.
The majority of your traffic is outgoing I assume?
- no, but the import stuff is. We are an internet marketing firm and broadcast live streams to utube, ustream and several other locations. Plus we are always uploading websites.
Member Since:
2008-10-13