VoIP Help - Networking

These settings relate to your computer's ability to make phone calls over a network or the Internet. Most of the options here are fairly advanced, so don't change them unless you understand them fully. This section is intended for network administrators or like-minded individuals.

Local SIP port

The UDP port on your computer that will be used to create a SIP signalling connection. If the port is in use then the software will find the next available port.

* You must open this port on your local computer's firewall. Your router should be able to handle opening its own ports automatically, but if it can't then you may need to setup port forwarding.

Local RTP port

The UDP port on your computer that will be used to for the audio connection. If the port is in use then the software will find the next available port.

* You must open this port on your local computer's firewall. Your router should be able to handle opening its own ports automatically, but if it can't then you may need to setup port forwarding.

Use UPnP to find external IP address

Uses the Universal Plug 'n' Play (UPnP) protocol to determine your external IP address. It is a quick and easy way of having your router configure itself. Many routers have UPnP disabled by default so you might have to enable UPnP on the router first. Refer to your router documentation for instructions.

Some routers are unable to use UPnP at all and some older routers do not do it effectively. If you have one of these routers, enabling UPnP may cause problems with outbound dialing and with voicemail.

Note that if you are using Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) over a LAN, you may need to enable UPnP in Windows. To do this, on the computer running Internet Connection Sharing select Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Network Connections and then right click on the Internet connection and select Properties. Go to the Advanced tab and check (tick) the option "Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection".

Use STUN servers to find external IP address and port

Uses the "Simple Traversal of UDP protocol through NAT" technique to ask a server on the Internet if you are behind a NAT or firewall, and if so, what your external IP address is. The default STUN servers should only be changed if your SIP provider has given you a different STUN server to use<.

Use static IP address and static mapped ports (Advanced Option)

This is where you can enter your external IP address and SIP/RTP ports if your computer, or the server computer on which your network connects to the Internet, is using a static IP address. If you choose to use this option then we recommend the SIP and RTP ports are set to 5060 and 8000 respectively.

If you are having problems making phone conversations and suspect the issue is network-related, then click the "Run Network Setup Wizard" button in order to launch a wizard that will guide you through the network troubleshooting process.

SIP Message Logging (Advanced Option)

This option is used when you are experiencing difficulties with the software and need to either look at a SIP message log or need to send a log to NCH to assist problem resolution. This option should be left off unless needed, as it will write data to files which can potentially slow down the software. Once enabled, this option can only log future calls, it cannot log what has happened beforehand, so it must be enabled before running any call testing scenarios.