Parent: [:InternetAndNetworking: Internet and Networking]

Ekiga is the default Internet telephony (VoIP) application in Ubuntu. It lets you make audio and video calls with suspend, transfer and redirection over the Internet to people who have hardware or software that follows the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_Initiation_Protocol SIP] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.323 H.323] standards. Ekiga also features simple instant messaging.

Ekiga supports many audio and video codecs, and is compatible with Windows Messenger and most VoIP applications. Unfortunately Ekiga is not compatible with Skype or Google Talk due to the proprietary nature of those applications. If you have the right SIP provider, you can also use Ekiga to make calls to any normal phone line.

General documentation is available from the [http://wiki.ekiga.org/ Ekiga wiki]

• attachment:ekiga.png

Interoperability

Ekiga works with 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-platform), and [http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Which_programs_work_with_Ekiga_%3F other programs listed on the Ekiga wiki].

Install the latest 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 that you complete the wizard.

When you're done and if you have an account on [http://ekiga.net 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) and if your webcam works (you can see yourself).

How to set up an Ekiga.net account

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

Configuration

This section covers the configuration of Ekiga.

Network

Ekiga is able to use a STUN server. In most cases the defaults should work fine, even for users of consumer-grade firewalls.

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

Several Ekigas on a LAN

There are several programs which allow copies of Ekiga to communicate with each other; you can use a SIP proxy (like [http://siproxd.sourceforge.net/ Siproxd]) or a PBX (like [http://www.asterisk.org/ Asterisk]. Further information about Ekiga and Asterisk can be found on the [http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Main_Page Ekiga wiki]), or you can use [:HowToZeroconf:Avahi].

Avahi

Avahi is the main implementation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeroconf ZeroConf protocol] under Ubuntu (known as Rendezvous or Bonjour on Mac OS X). This technology allows automatic discovery of services.

To set up Avahi, please follow the [:HowToZeroconf:Zeroconf Howto].

Other copies of Ekiga on the LAN should appear in the Address Book (third button on the left) if you double-click on Contacts Near Me.

Sound

This section is about testing and changing the sound configuration in Ekiga.

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, speak into your microphone. You should be able to hear yourself in your headset with a small delay (approximately 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 Ubuntu 6.06:

From the Edit menu, choose Preferences → Devices → Audio Devices.

• Select "ALSA" as the audio plugin

• Select "Default" as output

• Select "Default" as input

Then, from the Edit menu, choose Preferences → General → Sound Events. Select "Default" as alternate device output.

• [http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Getting_several_applications_using_the_sound_card_at_the_same_time_%3F Ekiga's wiki More about running Ekiga with other audio applications]

Webcam

Ekiga does not require a webcam.

• [:Webcam How to set up a webcam]

Choosing the right webcam driver

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 devices only support v4l.

From the Edit menu, choose 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:

From the Edit menu, choose Preferences → Devices → Video device. Change the channel number until you find the right one.

Test your webcam

To test your webcam, click the fourth of the six icons (a grey round webcam) on the left side of the main Ekiga window. 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 Software (SER and Asterisk) ran by the Ekiga team.

Test 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.

This service only works with PCMA or iLBC audio codecs, and the H.261 video codec.

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 address book button.

• Select "Ekiga White pages".

You can search the White pages by name, SIP address, or location. Up to 100 results are returned for any search.

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 a Wengo account

Once you've registered at http://www.wengophone.com, visit

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

where YOUR-EMAIL and YOUR-PASSWORD are what you used when you registered your account. 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 [http://snapshots.voxgratia.org/ 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

A bug in Ubuntu 6.10 makes [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 shows only a grey image

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

References

• To read the Ekiga Documentation : run Ekiga and press F1 (requires 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!]