What is the connection test?
The Connection Test is a diagnostic tool in Aloware Talk that checks all components needed for successful voice calling. It examines your network connectivity, browser compatibility, and system permissions to identify potential issues before they affect your calls. Think of it as a health check for your calling system—similar to how you might run diagnostics on your car before a road trip.
Accessing the connection test
The Connection Test is available to all Aloware users and can be accessed in two ways:
Quick access - look for the red ? icon in the header of any Aloware Talk page. Clicking this icon takes you to the Connection Test screen.
Menu navigation - in Aloware Talk, navigate to Settings > Connection Test through the main menu.
Once at the Connection Test screen, click the "Start Test" button to begin. The system will run through a series of checks to evaluate your connection status.
Understanding test results
The Connection Test provides detailed information across several key categories:
Network status
Twilio Connection
This test verifies that your system can successfully connect to Aloware's voice service provider. A successful connection is essential for making and receiving calls through the platform.
Twilio voice test
Beyond basic connectivity, this test evaluates whether your system can properly handle voice transmission. It ensures that call audio will function correctly when needed.
WebRTC support
This check confirms whether your browser fully supports WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication), the technology that enables voice calls directly through your browser without additional plugins.
ICE connection
The Interactive Connectivity Establishment (ICE) test verifies that your network can establish peer-to-peer connections, which are essential for optimal call quality.
TURN required
This test determines if your network environment requires TURN (Traversal Using Relays around NAT) servers to facilitate connections. Some network configurations need these relay servers to bypass restrictive firewalls.
Signaling time
This metric measures how quickly your connection can establish the initial handshake required for call setup. Lower signaling times generally indicate better call setup experiences.
Backend connection
Backend API
This check verifies that your system can successfully connect to Aloware's backend services, which are required for core platform functionality.
API response time
This metric measures how quickly the Aloware API responds to requests from your system. Faster response times typically indicate a more responsive user experience.
Live updates (WebSocket)
This test ensures that WebSocket connections, which power real-time features like live call notifications, are functioning properly.
Device Permissions
Microphone
This check confirms that your browser has been granted permission to access your microphone—an essential requirement for making voice calls.
Notifications
This test verifies that your browser can display notifications, which are important for alerting you to incoming calls and messages.
Browser storage
This check ensures that your browser allows Aloware to store necessary local data, which improves performance and enables certain offline capabilities.
Advanced diagnostics
Twilio connection quality
This section provides detailed metrics about your connection to the voice service, including latency, packet loss, and jitter measurements that can affect call quality.
Detailed report from Twilio
For more advanced troubleshooting, this comprehensive report from Twilio offers in-depth technical information about your voice connection.
Raw data
This section provides technical diagnostic information that can be shared with support teams if more complex issues need to be resolved.
Benefits of regular testing
Running the Connection Test before important calls can help you:
Identify and resolve technical issues before they impact your communications.
Reduce the need for support tickets by enabling self-diagnosis.
Ensure optimal call quality by verifying all necessary permissions and connections.
Troubleshoot specific issues by accessing detailed technical information.
By taking advantage of this powerful diagnostic tool, you can ensure that your Aloware Talk experience remains smooth and reliable, even in challenging network environments.