IP Office and MPLS vs IPSEC

[milehighip]

Anyone utilized a managed VPN from an MPLS provider to network IPOs. We have deployed several SCNs via IPSEC VPN and experience some call quality issues. We are toying with the idea of Managed VPN service from an MPLS provider, but don't know much about it due to the fact that we have always been a voice company forced into data because of cost diferences. Just curious if anyone had any experience/info on the matter.

 

[intrigrant]

Ususally if you have VoIP quality over secure VPN links there can be two reasons:
1. The conversion of regular IP packets onto encrypted packets will take a amount of time, if the total time of encrypting, sending and decrypting takes too long you will have problems with VoIP audio quality.
2. QoS. IP Office will set the TOS bits on each VoIP UDP packet when it sends one. A good configuren VPN server will add the same settings to the encrypted IP packets in order to ensure that routers treat those packets with priority.
If you have no QoS on the network connections then you cannot solve your VoIP audio problems.

 

[dontworx]

I was just getting a bid from Sprint on their MPLS. It is an excellent option for voice and data. It supports QOS or class of service accross the entire MPLS network. It also comes with performance quarantees. What you wan't to do since you are a voice company being forced into data is hire a good data company to aid you in setting up the routers and any voice you may be doing on the LAN. I work for a true Data company that brought me on to do voip and traditional voice along with are senoir network engineer who has voice experience. You need a strong data side at your company or partner with someone.