Microsoft Teams is the coolest new chat-based application. It's a Microsoft app, so it is even more powerful due to its integration with Office 365, Azure and the Microsoft ecosystem. However, many organizations' networks are not ready to deploy Microsoft Teams.

Here are 6 steps you can take to prepare your network for the best Microsoft Teams call quality.

For starters, you should understand the different forms of traffic. Microsoft Teams classifies the three forms of traffic as:

• Data traffic between Office 365 and the Microsoft Team client
• Peer to peer real time traffic on audio, video and desktop sharing
• Conferencing real time traffic on audio, video and desktop sharing

To ensure optimal traffic flow, traffic must be allowed to flow both between the internal network segments (for example between sites over the WAN) as well as between the network sites and Office 365. Not opening the correct ports or actively blocking specific ports will lead to a degraded experience. Now that you have optimal traffic flow you want to meet the bandwidth requirements, implement QoS, resolve DNS, optimize your computer, browser and devices.

1. Bandwidth requirements

The minimum bandwidth Microsoft recommends is an upload and download speed of 0.1 Mb. Ideally, your organization should allocate 8 Mb upload and download for Microsoft Teams. An 8 Mb dedicated speed will ensure you can have 5 participants or more in a single meeting.

2. Implement Quality of Service (QoS) policies

QoS is deployed on managed external WANs, internal LANs, and wireless networks in order to ensure that Microsoft Teams call traffic is being prioritized across the managed networks. Without QoS your Microsoft Teams call traffic will most likely be the lowest priority and poorest quality.

3. External DNS query

Ensure that all the organization's computers running a Microsoft Teams client can resolve external DNS queries to discover the services provided by Office 365.

4. Malware and memory

Make sure your computer is free of malware and your device is running at maximum speed. Check that your computer has sufficient memory. Memory is the simplest and most effective way to improve performance on your device.

5. Optimize your browser

If you are using the Microsoft Teams online client, your browser can impact the performance of your calls. The best practice is to disable browser add-ons, increase cache size, and keep your browser window open throughout the day.

6. Use specific phones and devices

Media devices such as headsets, web cams and IP phones have a great impact on the overall audio and video quality. Look for certified or good quality devices with the correct drivers that help with echo cancellation, noise filter and reduce latency.