[asterisk-users] VLAN vs RealLan

[Drew Gibson]

Julian Lyndon-Smith wrote:
> Given a choice, and a green-field site, would you
>
> a) Have a separate network (switches etc) for your data and phone
> b) Use the same network, but use VLAN's ??
>
> What are the pro's and con's of each ?
>
> TIA
>
> Julian
> _______________________________________________
> --Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com --
>
> asterisk-users mailing list
> To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit:
>   http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
>
>
We use a hybrid approach. The two methods can live happily together by 
trunking the VLANs to all switches but allocating particular switches to 
voice and others to data. One VLAN is dedicated to VoIP.
The PoE capable switches are generally dedicated to VoIP devices but 
some ports are assigned to other VLANs to connect relatively low traffic 
devices that require PoE like wireless access points and security 
cameras. Occasionally a VoIP device may be connected to a data switch 
due to cabling or other issues.

Pro's:-
Reduced cost, greater flexibility, best of all worlds really.
Data traffic will not consume switching or wire bandwidth required for 
VoIP as the traffic is (mostly) on separate switches.
Data switches get basic UPS support (< 30 mins, like the servers). VoIP 
switches get full UPS support (>2 hrs). This minimizes the cost of 
battery backup while providing the expected duration for phones.
Fewer switches required than physically separate networks
We can connect devices to any switch if and when required.

Con's:-
More complexity to manage. You do need to understand ethernet and 
traffic issues. Mixed traffic trunks have to be carefully managed to 
preserve VoIP QoS.

regards,

Drew

-- 
Drew Gibson

Systems Administrator
OANDA Corporation
www.oanda.com