VoIP Service over Broadband Public Internet
With the popularity of VoIP, there is a growing demand to provide reliable VoIP service over stock consumer-grade Broadband public Internet connections such as ADSL. Frequently this Internet connection is not dedicated to VoIP only, but also carries other traffic. In a corporate environment this can be VPN traffic. Whereas most Internet traffic is not very sensitive to jitter and packet loss, VoIP is different and even a slight amount will result in poor perceived call quality, dropped calls or intermittent service.
The stock routers employed by most small / medium businesses and home (office) users do not have the tools to do much about this. This leads to frustration for service porvider and end user alike. Frequently the only practical solution has been to use a dedicated Internet connection for VoIP. So, some business have had a phone company provided ADSL connection dedicated to VoIP and a Cable Modem connection for data traffic. Although this generally solves the problem of poor call quality, it does represent an extra cost - both initial and recurring.
The ViPR54 solves this dilemma by effectively implementing the required Traffic Shaping to avoid buffer issues at the ISP and provide absolute Priority Treatment of traffic coming from or going to the VoIP devices on the LAN.
Introducing the ViPR54
The ViPR54 (pronounced "viper fifty-four") is a VoIP Priority Router based on the popular and ubiquitous Linkys WRT54GL hardware. Externally therefore, the ViPR54 looks rather like the Linksys. The same interfaces are available: five switched ethernet ports (10/100Mbs) and wireless 802.11b / 802.11g connectivity. The firmware, however, is based on Linux and other Open Source projects.
Who Needs the ViPR54
The main application for the ViPR54 is to provide Priority Routing for VoIP service. In addition, the ViPR54 implements a Network Address Translating (NAT) firewall, DHCP and DNS (caching) service for devices on the LAN, Secure Wireless Access Point functionality and more.
Initially the ViPR54 is geared for the technically competent user. VoIP service providers, consultants and corporate IT departments are typical users of this device.
Features & Availability
The ViPR54 is available for immediate purchase. In its basic configuration it supports
- PPPoE or Subnet access to the internet
- Traffic Shaping on the WAN (Internet) interface
- LAN service through NAT. Wired and Wireless
- Wireless WEP access security. MAC address filtering
- Absolute Traffic Priority Control for VoIP devices on the LAN
- Web Based Configuration
- Included 2 hours of phone support
- Unlimited email support
- Firmware upgrades for the life of the product