Cloud-based collaboration tools are one of the best options for increased productivity. The suite for Webex comprises Webex Meetings, Webex Teams, and Webex Devices. All these services were rebranded in April 2018 to form the Cisco Online Collaboration Portfolio. What are the Network and bandwidth requirements do these services need? We will find the details in finer detail. Let’s get started with the Cisco Webex Bandwidth Requirements in the following paragraphs.
Webex Products – An Overview
The Cisco Webex products come with core collaboration functionalities. The services include video meetings, team messaging and file sharing requirements. No matter whether you are looking for unified communication needs towards the small group collaborations and enterprise level collaborations, the services offered are quite excellent in its own right.
The service integrates well with Microsoft Teams and Slack. The Cisco Webex Platform is part of a wide range of facilities spread across multiple collaboration tools. The high end and seamless integration with all the services would make it an excellent option in every right.
Now that we are aware of what Cisco Webex offers you let us check out the network requirements you may need to have for each of the Webex components.
Cisco Webex Bandwidth Requirements:
Webex makes use of the following ports for communication whether inbound or outbound –
Protocol | Port Numbers | Access Type |
TCP | 80 or 443 | Outbound – Webex Client Access Port |
TCP/UDP | 53 | Outbound – DNS |
ODP | 9000 | Outbound – Webex Client Media |
TCP/UDP | OS Specific | Inbound – Return Traffic from Webex |
The ports for Video Collaboration include the following –
Protocol | Port Numbers | Access Type |
TCP /UDP | 5060 – 5070 | Outbound – SIP signaling |
TCP | 5060, 5061 and 5065 | Inbound – SIP signaling |
TCP /UDP | 1719, 1720, 15000 to 19999 | Inbound and outbound – H.323 LS |
TCP/UDP | Ephemeral Ports | Inbound and outbound – media ports |
You would need to whitelist the following domains for an uninterrupted functionality –
- *.localytics.com
- *.rackcdn.com
- *.clouddrive.com
- *.crashlytics.com
- *js-agent.newrelic.com
- *bam.nr-data.net
- *.wbx2.com
The Webex hosted services are typically posted through AS13445. All the traffic from AS13445 needs to be allowed.
Network Requirements for Cisco Webex Jabber
The ports and protocols required for Cisco Webex Jabber include the following –
Configuration:
Port | Application Layer Protocol | Transport Layer Protocol |
6970 | HTTS | TCP |
6972 | HTTPS | TCP |
53 | DNS | UDP |
3804 | CAPF | TCP |
8443 | HTTPS | |
8191 | SOAP | TCP |
Directory Integration
Port | Application Layer Protocol | Transport Layer Protocol |
389 | LDAP | TCP |
3268 | LDAP | TCP |
636 | LDAPS | TCP |
3269 | LDAPS | TCP |
Instant messaging
Port | Application Layer Protocol | Transport Layer Protocol |
443 | XMPP | TCP |
5222 | XMPP | TCP |
37200 | SOCKS5 | TCP |
7336 | HTTPS | TCP |
Cisco Webex Meetings
Port | Application Layer Protocol | Transport Layer Protocol |
80 | HTTP | TCP |
443 | HTTPS | TCP |
8443 | HTTPS | TCP |
Make sure that the following folder locations are whitelisted –
- C:Users<User>AppDataLocalCiscoUnified CommunicationsJabber
- C:Users<User>AppDataRoamingCiscoUnified CommunicationsJabber
- C:ProgramDataCisco SystemsCisco Jabber
Third party Requirements
Applications | Requirement |
Microsoft Internet Explorer | Internet Explorer 9 |
Microsoft Office: | Microsoft Office: 2016, Windows Desktop OS Version, 32 & 64 bit
Microsoft Office: 2013, 32 & 64 bit Microsoft Office 2010, 32 & 64 bit |
Microsoft 365: | Microsoft Office 2016 Desktop OS Version, 32 and 64 bit
Microsoft Office 2013 Microsoft Office 2010 |
Calendars: | Microsoft Outlook 2016, 32 & 64 bit
Microsoft Outlook 2013, 32 & 64 bit Microsoft Outlook 2010, 32 & 64 bit IBM Lotus Notes 9 – 32 bit IBM Lotus Notes 8.5.3 – 32 bit IBM Lotus Notes 8.5.2 – 32 bit IBM Lotus Notes 8.5.1 – 32 bit Google Calendar |
Bandwidth Requirements for Cisco Webex
Now, we are going to list out bandwidth consumption for Webex under various use cases. See below.
Here are the CPU and Memory requirements for Web Video –
Extreme Encoded Resolution | Extreme Decoded Resolution | Minimum CPU | Memory requirement |
720p | 720p | Quad-core (sending only in a meeting with three or more participants)
Dual-core 2.8 GHz or dual-core 2.4 GHz with Intel HT (send with a maximum of two participants; receiving with three or more participants) |
2 GB |
360p | 720p | Dual Core | 2 GB |
360p | 360p | Dual Core | 1 GB |
180p | 360p | Single Core 2.4 GHz | 1 GB |
180p | 180p | Single core with less than 2.4 GHz or Intel Celeron | None |
Video bandwidth Consumption
Max Bit Rate for Sending | Max Bit rate for receiving | ||
High Definition | 720p (1280 x720) | 3.00 Mbps | 2.5 Mbps |
High Quality | 360p (640 x 360) | 1.5 Mbps | 1.0 Mbps |
Standard Quality | 180p (320 x180) | 0.5 Mbps | 0.5 Mbps |
Six Thumbnails | 90p | 0.5 Mbps | |
One Thumbnail | 90p | 50 Kbps |
Bandwidth Requirements for WebEx Client in CMR
Main Video as seen in Webex Client | Data Sharing as on Webex Client | Bit rate per Webex Client | Remarks |
720p HD | 1080p | 3.00 Mbps | CMR Hybrid |
720p HD | 720p | 2.5 Mbps | Highest CMR Cloud |
720p HD | XGA | 2.0 Mbps | |
360p – | XGA | 1.5 Mbps | |
180p – | XGA | 1.2 Mbps | Lowest level for Webex client |
None | XGA | 0.5 Mbps |
Data Consumption over 3G/4G
Data Type | Consumption in an hour |
Audio using the Internet (VoIP) | 23 MB |
Video (at 90p) | 43 MB |
ViewscContent | 250 MB |
Total Per Hour | 316 MB |
The Concluding Thoughts
Well, those are a few network and bandwidth requirements you would need to work effortlessly with Webex systems. However, Webex is optimized to reduce the amount of data transmitted over the network. The Webex client will be transmitting the data only when the data is requested. For instance, when you are attending a meeting where the content is almost static most of the time, and Webex will not transmit any data. This will help keep the traffic to a minimum. Whenever there is an activity like loading a presentation, sharing an application or any other similar action – the data transfer will on only for a few seconds and only those parts of the screen will change which depends upon the exact changes.
Please note that we have not outlined all the network and bandwidth requirements while compiling this information. We have only focussed on the essentials elements alone. For more information, you may get in touch with the official Webex support.