Ekiga is the default SIP and H.323 compatible VoIP, IP telephony, and video conferencing softphone application in Ubuntu. It allows you to make audio and video calls over the Internet to remote users who have hardware or software that is compliant with SIP or H.323. Ekiga is compatible with Windows Messenger and most VoIP applications. However, it is not compatible with Skype or Google Talk. If you have the right SIP provider you can also use Ekiga to make calls to any normal phone line.

Ekiga features STUN support which allows it to work seamlessly through your router and firewalls.

• attachment:ekiga.png

First use

When you start Ekiga for the first time, a 10 step wizard will help you to correctly configure Ekiga. It is strongly recommended to complete the wizard.

When you're done and if you got an account on http://ekiga.net, you can call the echo test : sip:500@ekiga.net. You'll be able to check if you can reach the service (the SIP network), if your sound setup is ok (you can hear yourself with a delay), if your webcam works (you can see yourself).

How to set up an Ekiga.net account

Once you're registered in http://ekiga.net, go to menu Edit -> Accounts -> Add

Account name: "ekiga.net” or whatever you wish

Registrar: ekiga.net

User: Your nick choosen on ekiga.net

Password: You password choosen on ekiga.net

Configuration

Network

Ekiga is able to use STUN, in most cases everything should be fine even behind a NAT.

Sound

Test your computer

To check if your computer meets the requirements for Ekiga, try this command in a terminal :

$ arecord -D plughw:0,0 -c 1 -r 8000 -f S16_LE - | aplay -D plughw:0,0 -c 1 -r 8000 -f S16_LE -

Now, try to call in your microphone, you should be able to hear yourself in your headset with a small delay (aproximatly half a second). If it doesn't work as expected, first try to configure ALSA :

$ alsamixer

Check if your microphone is unmute, if the volum levels are ok,...

Ekiga and other audio applications

Ekiga is capable of running simultaneously with other sound applications (like music/video players). The following directions should be enough to accomplish this if you are using Dapper Drake:

Go to the menu Edit -> Preferences -> Devices -> Audio Devices

- Select "ALSA" as the audio plugin

- Select "Default" as output

- Select "Default" as input

Then go to the menu Edit -> Preferences -> General -> Sound Events

- Select "Default" as alternate device output

For additional help using Ekiga simultaneously with other audio applications, see [http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Getting_several_applications_using_the_sound_card_at_the_same_time_%3F Ekiga's wiki].

Webcam

Note : Ekiga does not require a webcam.

Choosing the right kernel API

The Linux kernel has two ways to communicate with video devices, the old v4l and the new v4l2. It's best to use v4l2, but some drivers only support v4l.

Go to the menu Edit -> Preferences -> Devices -> Video device

- Try "v4l2” or "v4l” as video plugin

Choosing the right video device

If you have several video devices (like a TV card and a webcam) you will need to tell Ekiga which one to use:

Go to the menu Edit → Preferences → Devices → Video device

Change the channel number until you find the right one.

Test your webcam

To test your webcam you can do this:

There are 6 icons on the left side of the main Ekiga window. Push the 4th button from the top (a grey round webcam). If eveything is ok, you'll see the output of the webcam. If not, you'll see the Ekiga logo bouncing slowly.

Ekiga.net special numbers

Echo service

Once you're registered to http://ekiga.net, you can test your setup and line quality by dialing the echo service: sip:500@ekiga.net.

Audio conference server

If you are using 'ekiga.net' as your VoIP provider, you can access a conference server via the aliases

• sip:501@ekiga.net -> Public conference room

• sip:501XXXX@ekiga.net where XXXX is the number of your choice representing the number of the room.

[For example, a group of friends could meet in conference room 1122 by dialing sip:5011122@ekiga.net]

These rooms are thus semi-public/semi-private since anyone can join a conference room at any time if they choose the right number.

You can read more on Ekiga on its [http://www.gnomemeeting.org/index.php?rub=1 website]

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Snapshots

You can get the latest snapshots from here: [http://snapshots.voxgratia.org/] Installing them solved my problems with PC-to-phone calls. But be aware - they might be buggy and stuff. A good thing to do before installing those is to uninstall all pwlib opal or ekiga packages you already have installed.

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References

• To read the Ekiga Documentation : run Ekiga and press F1 (require yelp)

• [http://ekiga.org/ Ekiga website]

• [http://ekiga.org/index.php?rub=3 Ekiga FAQ]

• [http://wiki.ekiga.org// Ekiga wiki]

• [http://www.asterisk.org Asterisk] is a full featured PABX including VoIP facitlies which complement Ekiga's capabilities.

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ToDo

• Expand a lot more, do screenshots.

• Link into InternetAndNetworking when there's more content.

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CategoryDocumentation CategoryNeedsExpansion