Bandwidth Management

Configure Bandwidth Management

Use the bandwidth management settings to define the maximum amount of bandwidth available on the outbound and inbound WAN communication links for the MBG server.

The system uses the settings to throttle traffic to 90 percent of the configured values, which prevents buffering by external network devices. In addition, to ensure quality of service for voice calls, the system gives precedence to traffic that is addressed to the MBG (i.e. voice and signaling traffic), placing it ahead of data traffic.

For example, if the maximum bandwidth is set to 1 MB, the available bandwidth is throttled down to 900 KB. Depending on the traffic mix, the 900 KB can be used as follows:

If there is only voice traffic (i.e. traffic addressed to the MBG), it can use 100% of the available bandwidth (900 KB)
If there is only data traffic, it can use 100% of the available bandwidth (900 KB)
If there is a mix of voice and data traffic, voice is guaranteed up to 90% of the available bandwidth (810 KB) while data is guaranteed up to 10% (90 KB). If voice does not use the full amount it has been allocated, the unused portion can be “borrowed” for data.

You can also use this feature to give SIP emergency calls priority over all other traffic.

Note:

To enable use of the bandwidth management features, the MSL server must be operating in “server-gateway” or “server-gateway with bridged interface” mode, with at least one interface connected to the WAN. MSL 9.2 or greater is required for “server-gateway with bridged interface” mode.
Bandwidth management is disabled by default, with zeroed values. Emergency call prioritization is enabled by default.
If your ISP cannot provide maximum bandwidth settings, use the default settings.
The system handles “over capacity” calls differently depending on the settings and the call type:
- If a regular SIP call is received when the outbound links are at capacity, the call is rejected.
- If a regular MiNET call is received when the outbound links are at capacity, the call is accepted but voice quality may be degraded.
- If a SIP emergency call is received when the links are at capacity, the call is accepted and, to ensure voice quality, an existing non-emergency call is dropped provided that the “Prioritize SIP emergency calls” option is enabled. If the option is disabled, no existing calls are dropped but voice quality may be degraded for all calls.
- If a MiNET emergency call is received when the links are at capacity, the call is accepted and but voice quality may be degraded.

To configure the bandwidth management settings:

On the MBG main page, click the Network tab and click Bandwidth Management.
To configure the Maximum inbound bandwidth:
1. Enter the maximum bandwidth amount.
2. Select a unit of measurement: kbps, Mbps, or Gbps.
To configure the Maximum outbound bandwidth:
1. Enter the maximum bandwidth amount.
2. Select a unit of measurement: kbps, Mbps, or Gbps.
Note:
- The maximum number of calls supported for each SIP codec is displayed next to the field.
- To disable bandwidth management, enter 0 (zero) in the maximum bandwidth amount fields.
To give SIP emergency calls priority over other traffic, select Prioritize SIP emergency calls.
Click Save.