How do I set up a second subnet?

[edmicman]

We're having some issues with a new VOIP system, and the provider suggests we should have it on a different subnet than our company LAN. We're running Win2003 Server, and clients connect via DHCP. They are assigned addresses in the 192.168.0.x range, with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. Our VOIP server is also within this network hardcoded to 192.168.0.200 with the same mask.

I'm primarily a developer at this small company, and while I've got pretty extensive experience in home LANs and simple business setups, I'm not the one who set up the Win2003 AD network, and I can't say I'm familiar with managing more than one "network" within the setup.

I *thought* it had something to do with just setting things up on something like 192.168.1.x and it would be good, or maybe it has something to do with the subnet mask? I'm not really sure where to start here.

Any pointers, tips, or suggestions? Thanks for any info!

 

[spidey07]

You definately should run the phone on a separate subnet. You should also have quality of service on the LAN to ensure voice works well.

It might be best if you find a professional that can help with this because it's not something that should be done willy-nilly. You need to know and understand your network and you'll also need some kind of router or preferably a layer3 switch and lan switches that support QoS and multiple virtual lans (VLANS).

 

[edmicman]

Thanks for the reply. Everything one the LAN is run through a Sonicwall TZ170, which supposedly has support for multiple subnets. QoS is definitely an issue, and is what is driving this; the phones work, but we're experiencing intermittent dropping of our side of the conversation at times. Our WAN switch is managed by the T1 people, and they want $$$ to enable their QoS. But maybe getting the network stuff set up correctly would be a good first step.

Are there any tech articles or books with more info about this type of stuff? Like, I don't think I even fully understand what a VLAN is. Or maybe I do, I just don't know the specifics? Thanks!