Parallel-Dialer
      Back to home
      1. Knowledge Base
      2. Engage Tab
      3. Parallel-Dialer

      FlashInfo Dialer Network Requirements

      Configure your device and network through this article to get the best FlashInfo Dialer experience.

      To ensure the highest quality calls possible using FlashInfo Dialer, there are several factors to consider, including the performance of your computer, what type of headset is being used, and network configuration.

      Please note that if you do not ensure your setup is configured properly you may run into issues including, but not limited to:

      • Dropped calls
      • Calls with high delay
      • Robotic-sounding audio
      • One-way audio

      Network Requirements

      Following these recommended configurations will ensure optimal network connectivity and performance for FlashInfo Dialer.

      Minimum Hardware Requirements

      • Computer Hardware
      • A minimum of 8GB of RAM
      • An i5 CPU or better is recommended to ensure a consistently high performance
      • Minimum requirements to run the FlashInfo Dialer include the use of the Chrome Browser (the most recent version running on Windows or Mac OS X).

      If you are experiencing audio quality issues, CPU spikes from other apps will cause call quality issues. Please be sure to check your activity monitor (Mac) or task manager (windows) for any applications that are taking up CPU.

      Headset

      As the default microphone in most computers can pick up a lot of background noise, we strongly recommend that you use a high-quality headset for your calls. 


      A USB headset is preferable as it ensures you have a solid connection to your computer. 
      Bluetooth or other wireless headsets can work but are significantly more susceptible to attenuation and cause poor audio quality, so we recommend they be used cautiously. 
      Symptoms of a poor wireless connection can include audio that skips, stutters, cuts off, or has static or buzzing. You may also notice that your headset doesn't connect or stay connected. We recommend changing to a wired headset if you experience any of these issues. 

      FlashInfo Dialer recommends connecting the USB device directly to the system instead of a USB hub or computer dock. Devices not connected directly to computers may experience audio issues. 

      Browser

      Ensure you are on the latest version of Google Chrome. To help maintain the highest voice quality, our voice app tags packets with a DSCP of 46. DSCP, or Differentiated Services Code Point, allows packets to be tagged to prioritize them on the network. 

      Browsers that support DSCP, like Chrome, are capable of tagging call media packets. This can then be used in coordination with your network equipment to ensure these packets are prioritized properly as they progress through your local network. 

      Connection Type and Quality

      We strongly recommend that your computer is connected via Ethernet instead of WiFi as this helps to ensure the best possible connection to your network. 

      While calling is possible over WiFi, additional setup is recommended. If you wish to use WiFi, please be sure to follow the requirements in our WiFi section below. 

       

      To make high-quality voice calls, there are several network qualities that must be considered:

      • Latency: How long a packet takes to make it from your computer to our media servers.
      • Packet Loss: When a packet does not make it from point A to point B.
      • Jitter: The variation in delivery time between packets.
      • Bandwidth: The data transfer rate.
      Network Metric Threshold
      Latency Less than 150 ms
      Packet Loss Less than 1%
      Jitter Less than 30 ms
      Bandwidth At least 100 kbps per concurrent call.Example: If you have 8 calls occurring simultaneously, you would need to have 800 kbps available on your connection.

      Bandwidth Calculations

      As the number of calls occurring at any given time may vary, we suggest adding at least a 20% overhead to calculations to ensure that you have enough bandwidth during a high calling period. 

      For instance, if you have 15 reps and estimate that during a busy period, and 10 of them would be on the phone, we recommend ensuring at least 1000 kbps is available although it is good to err on the side of caution and reserve even more if possible. 

      Please note that if your team is growing, we recommend including any additional new users that may be added later into calculations even if they are not yet active. 

      WIFI

      While calling over WiFi is possible, we strongly recommend against it and suggest you use ethernet where possible. 

      However, if you still wish to use make calls over WiFi, we recommend the following steps to ensure optimal call quality:

      1. Prefer 5G connections over 2.4G
      2. Use 802.11AC or WiFi 6 where possible
      3. Apply traffic shaping policies to ensure Outreach voice traffic is prioritized over other wifi traffic
      4. Compare the number of connected devices per wireless access point against your manufacturer's documentation. If too many devices are connected, you may experience call quality issues
      5. If you are still experiencing issues, we suggest performing a wireless site survey. This will help ensure the highest quality connections across the entirety of your environment

      Network Tests

      Click here to test your network

      Once your network has been configured, we recommend running this network test to ensure that your connection is stable and that voice traffic can pass through your network. 


      However, please note that while a network test is a good snapshot of your network, it is possible to pass a test and still have call quality problems if traffic is not properly prioritized.