|
Thanks to everyone for the insights - it's all quite
helpful. I'll summarize what I've learned and add a couple of
questions. Using VOIP over a 3g broadband internet connection presents some obstacles because most, if not all, 3g ISPs run a NAT (network address translator) that assigns the end user a private IP address, rather than a public IP. The ISP's NAT acts as a firewall and may also block traffic on certain ports, causing further complications for VOIP. Much of the advice regarding port forwarding for VOIP on Ekiga's wiki page and many other web sources is focused on reconfiguring the NAT on a router in your home (or any router that you have access to configure). Therefore it is of no use to people in my situation; we are not able to reconfigure our ISP's NAT. Furthermore, some of us are behind a particularly strict kind of NAT, known as a symmetric NAT. This creates further difficulties. This Ekiga wiki page cited by Eugen does a good job of breaking down the effect of NATs on SIP in simple terms. I would like to identify potential solutions for my situation with the knowledgeable folks on this list. Based on your recommendations and my own research, I've found three: - STUN this is a server-side NAT traversal technology that, according to the wiki page I cited above, is automatically recognized by Ekiga. However, it will not work behind a symmetric NAT, so is of no use to me. - Proxy server: I've read that proxy servers are available for voice traffic, but not for video. Iptel.org has been recommended for this purpose and on its webpage touts very strong server-side nat traversal technology. Can I use a proxy server for audio, such as iptel.org, with my current VSP account? Or does this solution depend on creating and using an iptel.org account as my primary VOIP provider? - ICE: it is used by CounterPath products (eg eyebeam, x-lite), which have allowed me to make and receive VOIP calls from behind a symmetric NAT. So it may be the key to VOIP in my situation. Does that make sense, or is their another reason why Eyebeam works from behind a symmetric NAT and ekiga does not (using my current vsp, localphone.com)? I found an Ekiga dev ToDo list mentioning ICE implementation, but don't know whether Ekiga currently makes use of this technology. Anyone have an update? Thanks again for the helpful responses, Dave On 4/13/2010 7:00 AM, ekiga-list-request gnome org wrote: Send ekiga-list mailing list submissions to ekiga-list gnome org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/ekiga-list or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to ekiga-list-request gnome org You can reach the person managing the list at ekiga-list-owner gnome org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of ekiga-list digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: ekiga problem on 3g connection (ubuntu 9.10) (Eugen Dedu) 2. Re: ekiga problem on 3g connection (ubuntu 9.10) (michel memeteau) 3. Re: ekiga problem on 3g connection (ubuntu 9.10) (michel memeteau) 4. Re: ekiga problem on 3g connection (ubuntu 9.10) (Damien Sandras) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:31:23 +0200 From: Eugen Dedu <Eugen Dedu pu-pm univ-fcomte fr> To: Ekiga mailing list <ekiga-list gnome org> Subject: Re: [Ekiga-list] ekiga problem on 3g connection (ubuntu 9.10) Message-ID: <4BC439EB 8070602 pu-pm univ-fcomte fr> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Dave Elliott wrote:When I attempt to make a call with Ekiga, I get no audio and am immediately connected. I would like to use Ekiga as the client for SIP accounts with two providers: sipgate.com (US) and localphone.com. I'm running 32-bit ubuntu 9.10. My only internet connection is 3g mobile broadband. In case it's relevant, I'm living in mexico and using Telcel as my 3g provider. I've read the Ekiga wiki on nat traversal. I don't understand all of the information provided there, but it does not seem to provide a solution for me. I'm behind a nat firewall with a private IP address. Ekiga identifies this as a symmetric NAT. Obviously, I have no ability to configure port forwarding or otherwise alter the NAT, since it is administered by my ISP.If you do not have the possibility to parameter your router, or your NAT, then you are out of luck for video on ekiga. If you wish only audio, then you can use a an audio proxy, such as iptel.com (I think it is free, but I am not sure). If you wish to understand what happens, read http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Understanding_NAT/firewall_issues_with_SIP_clients_%28eg_ekiga%29The puzzling part for me is that using a different softphone on windoze 7 (X-Lite), I can make and receive calls through localphone. I wouldThe only solution I see is that x-lite already uses an audio proxy.very much prefer to use Ekiga on Ubuntu. Since the above mentioned package of software+OS+VSP works behind my ISP's NAT firewall, I'm hoping it is possible to configure Ekiga+Ubuntu to also work with localphone on this connection. Suggestions? If it's not possible, that answer is also helpful to me - I won't spend more time pursuing this and will look into alternatives. Thanks, Dave PS I am not very knowledgeable about networking or linux, but am learning. I'm willing to read other sources and follow step-by-step instructions. |