Enabling QoS for VoIP on MikroTik Routers
Enabling QoS for VoIP on MikroTik Routers
Section titled “Enabling QoS for VoIP on MikroTik Routers”Configuring Quality of Service (QoS) on a MikroTik router ensures VoIP traffic is prioritized over general internet traffic, preventing call quality degradation during periods of high network use.
Step 1: Determine Bandwidth Requirements
Section titled “Step 1: Determine Bandwidth Requirements”Before configuring QoS, assess your available bandwidth and expected VoIP usage.
Run a Speed Test
Section titled “Run a Speed Test”Use a tool such as speedtest.net to measure your upload and download speeds. Test at different times to capture peak and off-peak conditions.
Estimate VoIP Bandwidth
Section titled “Estimate VoIP Bandwidth”Allocate approximately 100 Kbps per concurrent call.
| Concurrent Calls | Recommended Allocation |
|---|---|
| 5 | 500 Kbps |
| 10 | 1 Mbps |
| 25 | 2.5 Mbps |
| 50 | 5 Mbps |
Step 2: Configure QoS on the MikroTik Router
Section titled “Step 2: Configure QoS on the MikroTik Router”Log In
Section titled “Log In”Open a browser, enter your MikroTik router’s IP address, and log in with your admin credentials (or use Winbox).
Create Mangle Rules
Section titled “Create Mangle Rules”Navigate to IP → Firewall → Mangle and create two rules:
SIP Signaling rule:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Chain | prerouting |
| Protocol | tcp and udp |
| Dst. Port | 5060 |
| Action | mark connection |
| New Connection Mark | sip_conn |
RTP Media rule:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Chain | prerouting |
| Protocol | udp |
| Dst. Port | 10000–60000 |
| Action | mark connection |
| New Connection Mark | rtp_conn |
Create a Simple Queue for VoIP
Section titled “Create a Simple Queue for VoIP”Navigate to Queue → Simple Queue and create a new queue:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Target | Your local network range (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24) |
| Max Limit | Your allocated VoIP bandwidth |
| Priority | Higher priority than general traffic (lower number = higher priority) |
Step 3: Monitor and Adjust
Section titled “Step 3: Monitor and Adjust”After applying the configuration, monitor VoIP performance under the Queue section of the MikroTik interface. Look for packet drops or jitter that indicate the queue limits need adjustment.
Periodically review settings as your call volume or internet service changes.