Hosted VoIP and IT Services: Why Your Business Needs a VLAN
Better Hosted VoIP Performance Starts with a VLAN
As more businesses adopt cloud-based VoIP phone solutions, ensuring the best call quality is always a priority. Cloud-based VoIP phone systems send all your voice calls over the internet, delivering greater flexibility and cost savings compared to traditional phone systems and their expensive dedicated copper lines.
However, without proper network optimization, VoIP call quality can suffer. One simple but powerful solution? Setting up a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN).
What Is a VLAN? (And Why It Matters for VoIP)
Imagine your business network as a busy highway. Without traffic lanes, everything, emails, video calls, downloads, and voice calls, is mixed. How costly it would be if that YouTube video you’re watching causes your phones not to ring? A VLAN is a private, dedicated lane for your VoIP traffic, preventing frustrating scenarios from occurring.
By separating voice data from other types of internet traffic, VLANs ensure smoother, clearer, and more reliable communications.
Top Benefits of VLANs for Hosted VoIP
1. Superior VoIP Call Quality
When your network becomes crowded, voice call quality always suffers. A VLAN for VoIP gives voice traffic priority, minimizing dropped calls, lag, echo, or choppy audio.
2. Enhanced VoIP Security
Separating voice data into its own VLAN helps protect sensitive call information. It becomes much harder for unauthorized users to intercept or disrupt your communications, boosting VoIP security best practices.
3. Simplified Troubleshooting
When issues arise, isolating VoIP traffic makes diagnosing problems faster and easier.
How Stratihost and UniVista Make It Easy
At Stratihost, providing reliable cloud-based VoIP services is just the beginning. To guarantee crystal-clear calls, Stratihost partners with its sister company, UniVista, to design and implement tailored VLAN configurations for businesses.
Our Services Include:
- Comprehensive network assessments
- Customized VLAN planning for VoIP optimization
- Seamless deployment and ongoing support
Whether you’re upgrading your current VoIP phone system or setting up a new one, Stratihost and UniVista ensure your network is secure, scalable, and ready for the future.
FAQs About VLANs and Hosted VoIP
Q: Do I really need a VLAN for hosted VoIP?
A: While it’s possible to run VoIP without a VLAN, setting one up dramatically improves call quality, security, and overall reliability.
Q: Will a VLAN fix all VoIP issues?
A: Possibly. A voice VLAN addresses traffic prioritization, but if your network has other issues, the only way to ensure all potential bottlenecks or risks are identified and corrected is through a full UniVista Network Assessment.
Q: Can I set up a VLAN myself?
A: While technically possible, professional configuration by IT experts like UniVista guarantees better long-term performance and fewer headaches.
Final Thoughts: Invest in Clearer, Safer Communications
Hosted VoIP offers advantages, but only when paired with the right network setup.
Adding a properly configured VLAN improves call quality, enhances security, and makes network management easier.
Ready to elevate your business communications?
Stratihost and UniVista are here to help you design a smart, future-proof VoIP network.
Contact us today at 512-551-5234 or online to learn more!