Parent: [:InternetAndNetworking: Internet and Networking]

Ekiga is the default Internet telephony (VoIP) application in Ubuntu. It allows you to make audio and video calls with suspend, transfert and redirection over the Internet to remote users who have hardware or software that is compliant with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_Initiation_Protocol SIP] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.323 H.323] standards. Ekiga features Instant messaging.

Ekiga use a lot of audio and video codecs, and 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 can also work through firewalls with STUN.

The general documentation is there: [http://wiki.ekiga.org/ Ekiga wiki]

• attachment:ekiga.png

Interoperability

Ekiga can be use under GNU/Linux or [http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Windows_Users Windows]. For Mac OS, you can use the free software [http://xmeeting.sourceforge.net/pages/index.php xmeeting].

Ekiga is compatible with Netmeeting (H.323, windows), Windows Messenger (SIP, Windows, [http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Connecting_Windows_Messenger_5.1_to_ekiga.net how to configure Windows Messenger for ekiga.net]), [:Gizmo:Gizmo] (SIP, multi-OS),... For a larger list, see the [http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Which_programs_work_with_Ekiga_%3F ekiga wiki.]

Install last version

[:Repositories/Ubuntu#head-155b53308911d4d3869b3650856a41550f57f891:Add the repository for your Ubuntu version]:

• Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty i386 :

deb http://www.ekiga.org/admin/downloads/latest/ubuntu/feisty_x86/ ./

• Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty AMD64 :

deb http://www.ekiga.org/admin/downloads/latest/ubuntu/feisty_amd64/ ./

• Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy i386 :

deb http://www.ekiga.org/admin/downloads/latest/ubuntu/edgy_x86/ ./

• Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy AMD64 :

deb http://www.ekiga.org/admin/downloads/latest/ubuntu/edgy_amd64/ ./

• Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper i386 :

deb http://www.ekiga.org/admin/downloads/latest/ubuntu/dapper_x86/ ./

• Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper AMD64 :

deb http://www.ekiga.org/admin/downloads/latest/ubuntu/dapper_amd64/ ./

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

Configuration

Network

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

However, for advanced users or complex setup, here is the list of port used by Ekiga:

Several Ekigas on a LAN

There is several softwares to allow Ekigas communicate each other; you can use a SIP proxy (like [http://siproxd.sourceforge.net/ Siproxd]), a PBX (like [http://www.asterisk.org/ Asterisk], further informations about Ekiga and Asterisk can be found on the [http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Main_Page Ekiga wiki]), or use [:HowToZeroconf:Avahi].

Avahi

Avahi is the main implementation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeroconf ZeroConf protocol] under GNU/Linux which Apple use heavily on Mac OS under several names (Bonjour,Rendezvous). This technology allow automatic discovery of services.

To setup Avahi, please follow [:HowToZeroconf:this how to].

Other Ekigas on the LAN should appear in the Address Book (third button on the left) if you double-clic on "Contats Near Me".

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

Make sure your microphone is not muted and the volume levels are ok.

Ekiga and other audio applications

Ekiga is capable of running simultaneously with other sound applications (like music and 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

To install your webcam, please refer to this part of the documentation : [: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 services

Ekiga.net is a free service (no ads) based upon free softwares (SER and Asterisk). The Ekiga team maintains it.

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 to join the 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]

Using 501xxxx, you'll be asked for a "PIN number": dialing a number you can protect the access to your conference room or just dialing # will make this conference public.

How to place a call to other SIP providers ? (peering)

Peering is the term given to agreement between VoIP Service Providers which enables the users of one service to call users of another.

This is usually implemented by dialing a special prefix number and then the number of the receipitant (on the 'other' service).

With Ekiga.net, you can use [http://www.sipbroker.com/sipbroker/action/providerWhitePages SipBroker prefixes].

Here are some exemples of prefixes:

You can also use the special prefix *013 to place a call using [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_Number_Mapping Enum]. As prefixes do not have a standard, Enum tries to solve this situation.

Some numbers you can dial using Ekiga.net:

[http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Fun_Numbers More Fun Numbers in the Ekiga wiki.]

How to search a contact in Ekiga White pages ?

People registered to Ekiga.net may be reached using the White Pages.

• Open the Address Book (Tools -> Address Book, or click the adress book button).

• Select "Ekiga White pages"

You can search the White pages using either:

• The name
• The SIP address
• The localisation

Ekiga.net button for your web page

You can easily put a button on your web page showing your status: online or offline. If you're online, the visitor can place a call using the button.

Here is what will appear on your web page:

In order to use it, simply add this to your web page:

<script src=”http://www.ekiga.net/status/presence.php?user=YOUR_ID_ON_EKIGA.NET”></script>

where YOUR_ID_ON_EKIGA.NET is simply your username.

Register to a commercial VoIP provider

Broadvoice Support

In order to setup Ekiga 2.03 to work with broadvoice, use the following settings.

Figure out which proxy is closest to you:

# proxy.lax.broadvoice.com

# proxy.dca.broadvoice.com

# proxy.mia.broadvoice.com

# proxy.atl.broadvoice.com

# proxy.chi.broadvoice.com

# proxy.bos.broadvoice.com

# proxy.nyc.broadvoice.com

Ekiga Preferences:

• SIP Settings -> Outbound SIP Proxy: proxy.broadvoice.com

• Codecs -> Video Codecs - Disable (uncheck) video support or else you will get a codec error.

Account Information:

• Registrar: sip.broadvoice.com

• User: <10 digit broadvoice telephone number>

• Password: <obtained requesting it from broadvoice support>

• Authentication Login: <10 digit broadvoice telephone number>

• Realm/Domain: sip.broadvoice.com or BroadWorks

In the case where you need to troubleshoot, start ekiga with 'ekiga -d 4'

How to set up an Wengo account

Once you're registered in http://www.wengophone.com, visit the following url:

https://ws.wengo.fr/softphone-sso/sso.php?login=YOUR-EMAIL&password=YOUR-PASSWORD

Where you replace YOUR-EMAIL and YOUR-PASSWORD with what you used when you registered your accound. This will give you your real username and password, now go to menu Edit → Accounts → Add

Development Snapshots

• attachment:Capture-Ekiga-SVN.png

You can get the latest development snapshots from here: [http://snapshots.voxgratia.org/] Installing them may solve problems you are experiencing but be aware that the snapshots could also cause more problems. A good thing to do before installing snapshots is to uninstall all pwlib, opal and ekiga packages that may already be installed.

Edgy 6.10 Troubleshooting

Ekiga crash on exit

An awfull bug on Edgy (6.10) made [http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=359655 Ekiga crash on exit]. If you experience "bug buddy" showing up on exit, install [http://bugzilla.gnome.org/attachment.cgi?id=76801&action=view this package] on your system.

Please, do not send a [http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=359655 bug report about this issue]. Thank you.

The webcam only shows grey image

[https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Webcam?#head-836881f8aaa64508507ce1f2091b24b8aead02cb Try this].

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.

Ekiga needs you: [http://mail.gnome.org/archives/ekiga-devel-list/2007-February/msg00041.html Let's spread Ekiga : volunteers ?]

ToDo

• Expand a lot more, do screenshots.

• Link into InternetAndNetworking when there's more content.

CategoryNeedsExpansion