Can't hear anything and don't know where to look

[GerryEgan]

X-Lite Version 3.0 Build 56125; ViaTalk service; Windows XP; Wifi 2Wire 635 Router to AT&T DSL

Install of X-Lite seemed to go well and I can dial and hear ringing but when the other end answers they hear me but I don't hear anything. Headset and Microphone working perfectly with all othe applications, (including Skype). Any ideas where to start looking to adjust settings, etc.

Allso, all instructions from service provider and X-Lite manual refer to a setting for "target domain" in Domain Proxy section. This build of X-Lite, (the latest?), doesn't show that setting available.

So far: Changed 'honor' setting to 0; and all other recomended settings.

I appreciate any assistance.

Gerry Egan
Direct Email: gerryegan@forequipmentleasing.com

[Kamen]

It appears that you might have a firewall issue - the Internet-provider supplied modem/router/firewall devices are usually quite restrictive. See if you have a manual for it, or call their tech support to guide you through completely disabling the firewall functionality and try it that way. If that does the trick, get a real router and use that inline (i.e., the IP-supplied device will only work as a modem/open router and your other device will do all the routing, NAT and firewalling). Short of having the skills to analyze your traffic, I don't see what else to recommend.
Kamen

[GerryEgan]

Thanks, Kamen. It makes sense that it's an issue with the incoming signals not getting to my computer/X-Lite softphone. I have complete access to the ATT supplied router, and have opened ports, etc. but to no avail. I currently have it in DMZ mode, basically allowing all incoming traffic to reach my computer, in effect, nullifying the firewall functions, but that still hasn't solved the issue.

It's funny that I'm able to use Skype fine, with no issues. It's my understanding that Skype is a form of VOIP; am I right about that?

Does X-Lite use different ports or different signals or something? When I signed up for the VOIP service from Viatalk their promotional material sad, (as does that of virtually all of their competitors), that you could have access to the service virtually anywhere you have internet access by using a softphone. It sure doesn't seem as easy as it sounds, though, and if it's this difficult to get setup where I have complete access to and control over the router settings, my guess is using it elsewhere will be impossible.

I'd be interested in hearing experiences from others in this regard. Is anyone able to use X-Lite successfully with the standard routers used by the major DSL providers and with the major VOIP services? Are you able to access your VOIP services from other internet access points using X-Lite softphone?

I appreciate any help,

Gerry Egan
Direct Email: gerryegan@forequipmentleasing.com

[Kamen]

Gerry, I'm afraid the issue is a little more complicated than that. Even if your firewall is set to no block (i.e., DMZ), it could still be the problem. What I have done to mine is go one step further - make it transparent to PPPoE traffic so it doesn't even route. You see, "firewall" is just some lack of full, complete and unrestricted routing. Even in DMZ mode, your device is still routing and doing NAT - something that is quite complicated to implement properly, for example, you need some form of NAT traversal. To give you an example, the IP address of your computer is some private address assigned by your AT&T router. If it was transparent, it would have had a public IP address. Thus, your device is routing and, I'm sure, not that well. In other words, even if your device is not "consciously" trying to block some IP traffic, it simply is not routing very well. And X-Lite, as other SIP clients, needs a way to translate this private IP address your computer has and make it accessible to external hosts.
Even if you truly had transparent routing within your house, you might still not be able to route IP traffic properly if your Internet Provider's (IP) routers were not routing properly (or blocking purposefully, as some IP do). That is more common with colleges and other similar IP but even some home IP (I've heard of Comcast doing it) will cause trouble with SIP. The reason Skype is immune to that is because it works differently. It does not implement SIP but its own mechanism for VoIP. Furthermore, it uses intrusive schemes to route traffic around blockades, which is using other users' computers to re-route traffic. It also uses IP (Internet Protocol) protocols and connection ports that are reserved for WWW browsing (like HTTP), which no IP would ever block as users will not be able to browse the Web. But Skype is commercial, it's a major corporation (after the eBay purchase) and can afford to create a world of their own. While users of SIP try to make an assortment of clients work with another assortment of servers. That's a tough task and, by the way, I'm tired of working on supporting its success.
Anyway, I hope this answers some of your questions. I hope you can be on your way of solving this now.
Kamen

[GerryEgan]

Thanks, Kamen, for the detailed explanation. I won't claim to understand it all, but I get the gist of it. Frankly, why would ATT want to make it easy for a non-technical person like me to use a competitor's VOIP service ...that I can understand! The good news is, the new VOIP service's adapter arrived today and it plugged in and worked for the phones right away. That's a good sign. I'll just use regular handsets instead of the softphone. I was just hoping to be able to use a softphone when I travel, principally to my in-laws. They have a different brand of DSL/router there so there's always a chance when I go there next that theirs will work with X-Lite.

Thanks for the help and if I make any progress, I'll post back here and let you, (and others), know.

Gerry Egan
Direct Email: gerryegan@forequipmentleasing.com

[archana11]

Hello,

Installed X-Lite Version 3.0 Build 56125. I am using Windows XP Professional Service pack 2.
Configured X-Lite with SIP and other details. But unable to hear ringtone. When I dial a US number using softphone, the error is Call Failed : Declined or Call Failed : Service Uavailable. I am using Highspeed Broadband internet connection. My headset & Mic is perfect.

The "Target Domain" option in Domain Proxy section is not be seen in my settings. The account has been ENABLED and all settings done with the help of X-Lite UserGuide. I’m trying to make calls from India. Any further changes to be done in settings? Please advice.

[img]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/VI%20NI/Desktop/Account.JPG[/img]
[img]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/VI%20NI/Desktop/VM.JPG[/img]
[img]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/VI%20NI/Desktop/Topology.JPG[/img]

An earliest reply is highly appreciated.

Thank you!
Best Regards,
Archana

[Kamen]

You do realize we can't see local files on your computer, right? This must be some sort of bad configuration, see some samples and other ideas here: http://forums.counterpath.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16635.
Kamen