Using POIVY To Illustrate How To Set Up VOIP Calls on Computer and SIP Devices.

Using POIVY To Illustrate How To Set Up VOIP Calls on Computer and SIP Devices.
Poivy, what is it?
Poivy is a free program that uses the latest technology to bring free and high-quality voice communications to people all over the world. When you use the free Poivy software, you can call regular phones in various popular destinations for free* or call at an incredible low rate to any other phone on the planet. You can also call all your online friends (peer-to-peer calls) as long as you like, for free. Just click here to download Poivy ; the download should take only a few moments depending on your connection speed. The process for POIVY is same for many others like www.justvoip.com,www.skype.com,www.jumblo.com etc

How to Use Poivy
• System Requirements
• Downloading Poivy
• Installation
• Starting Poivy for the First Time
• Making your first Poivy call
• Improving Sound Quality
• Tabs
• Speed-dial text field
• Using a SIP device
• Using other hardware
• Calling with Poivy
• Version updates


System Requirements
In order to use the software, your computer must meet the following minimum system requirements.
Minimum System Requirements:
• PC running Windows Vista, XP, 2000 (with SP2)
• 300 MHz processor
• 128 MB RAM
• 10 MB free disk space on your hard drive
• Sound Card and a headset
• Internet Connection broadband: Cable, DSL, with minimum 64 kbit/s (up/downstream)
However, in order to take advantage of all of the advanced features of Poivy and to experience the best sound quality possible, we highly recommend the following configuration.
Recommended System Requirements:

• PC running Windows Vista, XP, 2000 (with SP2)
• 1 GHz processor
• 256 MB RAM
• 30 MB free space on your hard drive
• Full duplex sound card (most sound cards made after 1998), headset
• Cable, DSL or equivalent broadband connection to Internet

Downloading Poivy
The software is free to download and you can always get the latest version here. If you have any problems using Poivy, please first make sure that you are using the most recent version of the software.
To download Poivy to your computer, simply click the download link. Save the installation file to your computer. Be sure to remember where you saved the file (for instance the Desktop).
Installation
Double-click the installation file you just downloaded to start installing Poivy on your computer.
Poivy starts automatically each time you start windows. With Poivy always running, other users will be more likely to find you online. You can change these settings at any time from Poivy program by selecting "options".
Starting Poivy for the First Time
The first time you start Poivy, you will be asked to choose a User Name and password. The User Name and password fields are required in order to use Poivy. You can choose any name but it must be at least 6 characters in length. If the name is already in use by someone else you will have to try another name.
Making your first Poivy call
For a call to any online Poivy user, simply enter the username in the textbox and click the dial button. For a call to any regular phone, enter the desired number in the textbox and click the dial-button. For all calls, you will be asked to buy credits first. For all other calls, you will be asked to buy credits first.

Please note that when you call a number (even if it's local) you should always dial 00 + country code + area code + subscriber number)
Improving Sound Quality
To get the best possible sound quality, we highly recommend you try the following:
• Use a headset with a built in microphone. Headsets are available for purchase at most computer retailers and will dramatically improve sound quality.
• Tell your friend to get a headset. Note that voice quality is affected by the equipment on both sides of the conversation. The best way to ensure high quality sound is to have a headset on both ends of the conversation.
If you don't have a headset, you are still likely to improve sound quality if you:
• Use headphones instead of your computer speakers
• Try moving the microphone closer or further away from your mouth
• Use an external microphone (note that most laptops use low-quality microphones)
• Update your soundcard drivers
• Note that if you don't own a microphone, you may be able to use a pair of headphones as a temporary solution by connecting these to the microphone jack of your sound card. Try it!
Tabs
Poivy is divided into several tabs, each with a specific purpose.
The Contacts Tab shows other Poivy users which you have added to your Contact List. The icon next to the User Name indicates the Online Status of these users. You can right-click any User Name in your Contact List to see a number of choices for communicating with, or managing this user in your Contact List.
The Dial pad Tab shows you a graphic representation of the buttons you find on any ordinary phone, and they work accordingly.
Speed-dial text field
The Text Box near the bottom of the main Poivy window allows you to call directly by entering their User Name or phone number and pressing enter.
Using a SIP device, If you want to use your own preferred SIP device, but also want to profit from the great Poivy offers, you can click here for information about setting up your SIP device with Poivy.
Using other hardware
Poivy has selected, tested and certified various USB phones, headsets, routers and other hardware for your convenience. Click here for an overview.
Calling with Poivy
There are several ways to call with Poivy:
• From the textbox, enter the User Name of another Poivy user, or the desired phone number and press enter.
• Double-click a User Name in your contact list.
• Use the dial pad to make a call just like you do on a regular phone.
• Or use the keypad on your PC.
Please note that when you call a number (even if it's local) you should always dial 00 + country code + area code + subscriber number
How to Use Poivy with your SIP device
You need a Poivy username and password in order to call via our network. So first sign up with Poivy by downloading and installing the application and create your login.

In order to call ULTRA CHEAP via the Poivy network, enter the settings below:

You can use Poivy with the following types of Sip devices:

SIP ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter)

SIP Router

xDSL Modem

The most devices are equipped with a combination of the following ports.
Example 1

(this is merely an example layout, every type of device can be different)

Example 2

(this is merely an example layout, every type of device can be different)


(A)DSL: connect your line from your (A)DSL provider (not available on a ATA)

WAN: connect your line from your xDSL modem/router

LAN: port for your (home) network, you can connect e.g. your PC, lap-top or wireless router

PHONE: here you can connect your analogue telephone

LINE: connect your analogue (PSTN) telephone line

USB: you can connect PC or lap-top with a free USB port

Some SIP devices have more than one LAN port and/or PHONE port available.

For the hardware connections from your SIP device look at the above information and your user manual.
After connecting the hardware you have to make sure that your software is installed and configured the right way.

Software configuration
General

SIP port : 5060

Registrar : sip.poivy.com

Proxy server : sip.poivy.com

Outbound proxy server : leave empty

Account name : your Poivy username

Password : your Poivy password

Display name/number : your Poivy username or VOIP number

Stun server (option) : stun.poivy.com



Below are some examples of the software configuration of various popular SIP devices. Please also consult the manual that came with your SIP device

Avoiding call echo
Poivy has a built-in echo canceller which detects and reduces echo during calls. Ongoing echo problems may be caused by:
• Echo occurring from the audio device being used by the person you are calling. To improve call quality they should use a headset rather than loudspeakers. A headset reduces the level of acoustic echo that reaches the microphone.
• Using a webcam microphone; these are especially sensitive and pick up background noise and echo more easily.
• Using loudspeakers. We recommend a low level volume to reduce the chance of the microphone picking up any noise from loudspeakers and therefore creating echo.
Note: the performance of echo cancellation is affected by the level of background noise. Echo cancellation works better in low background noise environments.

Avoiding background noise
Poivy has a built-in noise canceller which helps reduce the level of background noise. To avoid background noise you can:
• Try to find a quiet location to make Poivy calls from.
• Move your microphone closer to your mouth and away from noise sources such as your computer's fan.
• use Poivy Certified headsets, handsets and webcams. Built-in microphones in computers and webcams are more prone to picking up background noise. We recommend you use a stand alone microphone instead.
One way sound
One way sound occurs when one party in a call cannot hear the other.
This may occur for a number of reasons:
Bad sound device settings:
• If you cannot hear the person you are calling or vice versa your sound device settings may be configured incorrectly.
• Check your microphone is not muted. Some microphones have buttons to mute/unmute.
• Alternatively, the speaker volume of the person you are calling may be off or set too low. Both parties in the call need to check their device settings and verify they can hear other sounds made by their computers.
• You may have incorrect sound mixer settings. Consult your soundcard manual or get more advice at Poivy Sound Set up Guide. (Please note: the soundcard used in our guide is serving only as an illustration, your computer does not have to have the same model for Poivy to work.) Alternatively, review more information at Troubleshooter.
• Finally, you can try disabling poivY's sound device auto adjustment. Do this within Poivy by clicking Menu > Tools > Options > Sound Devices � uncheck the box: Enable automated volume control. On the same screen check that the Audio In and Audio Out devices are set to the ones you actually use.

Low bandwidth internet:
• One way sound can be caused by the caller having low internet bandwidth to outgoing destinations. For example, when using dial-up connections, satellite connections (that use dial-up or GPRS for upload) or low-priced ADSL packages.

Personal firewall software:
• Some personal firewalls may block poivy's access to the internet. Due to the way such firewalls are designed, blocking usually occurs after you have upgraded Poivy. This may result in you being unable to connect, inferior call quality or one-way sound. Check your personal firewall settings and allow Poivy to make outgoing connections and accept incoming connections (sometimes called Act as server).

File sharing: • Uploading a file while using Poivy can sometimes affect the quality of the call. It is advised to close all file sharing applications before calling.

Other people affecting the network:
• If using Poivy within a corporate network, one-way sound may be caused because someone else in the network is affecting internet connectivity. It is quite hard to determine this and in most of cases there is little than can be done. However, contacting your system administrator for further assistance is recommended.

Robotic sound / Words cut off / Delay
• The main reason for robotic sound, dropouts in sentences and delay is bad network performance. This could be caused by both issues affecting you or the person you're calling. Poivy is built to be adaptive and to provide the best call quality in all network

INTRODUCTION TO VOIP TECHNOLOGY

ORIGIN OF VOIP

VOIP is a set of technologies that enable voice calls to be carried over the Internet (or other networks designed for data), rather than the traditional telephone landline system—the Public Switched Telephone Network, or PSTN.

The term VoIP was coined by the VoIP Forum which was set up in May 1996 as an industry group concerned with promoting and developing product interoperability and a high quality of service for Internet telephony products1. Initially, one of the main drivers in developing VoIP was the potential to cut the cost of telephone calls. Traditional voice calls, running over the PSTN, are made using circuit switching, where a dedicated circuit or channel is set up between two points before the users talk to one another—just like old-fashioned operators, plugging in the wires to connect two callers. The advantage of this is that once the circuit is set up, the call quality is very good, because it is running over a dedicated line. But this type of switching is expensive because the network needs a great deal of (mostly under-used)capacity.

The Nature Of Voice Over IP

What is Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)?

Ever since the Internet 'took off' as a data network - for sending e-mail and browsing web sites - companies have been exploring the option of putting voice traffic on to the Net or other networks deploying the same technical specifications. Since the Internet uses particular protocols (known as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol or TCP/IP), this development is called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

So one could define VOIP as voice services over networks which use the Internet Protocol (IP) which might be the public Internet itself or public or private communications networks. A key distinction is between circuit-switched calls (PSTN) and packet-switched calls (VOIP)

What does VoIP look like?

VoIP services can take many forms:

• PC to PC(personal computer) when both caller and recipients would use lightweight headsets to talk over the internet
• Device to Phone: This is when uses SIP device/internet phone to make call to phones via internet. ]
• Mobile to Phone: Here, you can use your mobile phone to make VOIP calls

You can visit www.skype.com,www.voipcheap.com,www.voipclassic.com,www.freecall.com,www.poivy.com etc for more opportunities.www.voipclassic.com provides you with various great opportunities in VOIP.

What you need to make a VoIP call

To make a VoIP call, the consumer user requires VoIP software and a broadband connection to the Internet. The software will handle the call routing to make sure the call reaches the intended destination as well as providing the codec. The software can be installed on a variety of hardware devices including traditional telephone handsets (using an adaptor that plugs into the telephone3) or a PC or wireless device such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). This use of software-enhanced end-user devices is one of the key distinguishing features of VoIP. Whereas the traditional telephone system contains its 'intelligence' within the network, VoIP makes use of the Internet model of intelligence at the edge of the network. This is often known as the end-to-end principle.

In order to make a call, an account with a VoIP service provider is also required. Different types of VoIP service are available, including services from traditional telephone carriers such as BT, and from specialised VoIP providers such as US firm Vonage and Luxembourg-based Skype. Some VoIP providers provide support only for PC-to-PC calls, while others provide the ability to make and receive calls from IP-enabled devices to users on the PSTN and on

mobile networks.

The Benefits Of Voice Over IP

Businesses are rapidly to VoIP because there are compelling advantages. Firstly, and most obviously, there are significant financial savings on running the network itself. One infrastructure carrying both data and voice, provided by one supplier, can be managed, maintained and upgraded much more efficiently than two separate networks for voice and data.

Secondly, and more importantly, while each network has its own value, that value is maximized when the two systems are consolidated. Computer applications and communications technologies can be intelligently linked to streamline the working environment.

Thirdly, VoIP allows organizations to integrate their telephone, fax, e-mail and other applications to capitalize on the benefits of unified messaging. Such a system can eradicate unnecessary interruptions while ensuring individuals always receive information in the most convenient format wherever they are in the world.

Fourthly, the system can be used to support flexible working practices, whereby members of staff work from home or in dispersed, 'virtual' teams. Using the VoIP network, team members can see when their colleagues are logged on to the LAN or using the telephone. VoIP offers improved bandwidth capabilities and makes video-conferencing a viable and cost-effective option for discussions between dispersed team workers.

Fifthly, VoIP technology can contribute to an effective knowledge management strategy. The larger the organization, the more information that must be shared, so an efficient communications system is particularly important. The VoIP network provides individuals with the opportunity to tap into colleagues' areas of specialism, allowing them to search for experts according to specific criteria.

Sixthly, an organization can also use VoIP to enhance relationships with its customers. For example, converged call centres, or 'IP contact centres', allow agents to answer all customer enquiry mediums, including telephone, e-mail, fax, web call back, web chat and instant messaging. Customers appreciate the flexibility of interacting with an organization that can handle feedback from a range of different sources, and are even more inclined to do business with those who can offer an integrated response.

Increasingly, residential consumers too are taking up the option of VOIP services. For them, such services offer:

• More choice of voice operators and tariff packages
• Cheaper services including 'free' calls
• New services such as conferencing
• Individuals can make money by setting up the VOIP calls for people and selling of VOIP call credits.

VOIP enables one to make free calls within VOIP networks and landlines in most of countries of the world and cheap call to mobile lines for as low as 0.01 euro cent

Current Position Worldwide

While Asia leads the worldwide roll-out of VOIP, North America is catching up fast, followed rapidly by European countries like Sweden and Austria. The lead shown by Asia is explained partly by the higher call charges than in industrialized countries, partly by the lesser investments in legacy networks compared to Europe & North America, and partly by the greater cultural willingness to embrace new technologies.

A snap shot of the position in a number of major countries looks like this:

• USA - Vonage of New Jersey already has over 100,000 voice subscribers on its DSL service. For a subscription, currently $34.99 a month (on top of their DSL line), customers can get unlimited calls within the US and Canada, and low international rates. Other companies, such as Net2Phone, are offering similar services. As a reaction to such smaller rivals offering cheap phone calls using VoIP technology, the established giants will soon be offering VoIP. Verizon Communications, North America's largest phone company, plans IP for the home by June 2004. AT&T has said it will introduce the service in the next couple of months as an option on its managed VPN (virtual private network) service based on its MPLS platform. Other telcos like Qwest and SBC have similar plans.. Time Warner Cable - working with Spring and MCI - is already offering VoIP on its broadband cable network. Other cable companies are following fast.
• Canada - More than any other North American company, Telus of British Columbia (under the leadership of its chief executive Darren Entwistle who used to work for Cable & Wireless) has pioneered VoIP. It has spent more than two and a half years and $200 million building an IP-based next-generation network. In November 2003, it launched a new hosted service called IP-One, which will try to introduce the benefits of VoIP to a new class of businesses, targeting those with as few as 50 employees. Bell Canada Enterprises has now announced its own three-year, $200-million plan to build an IP-based next-generation network. Also Allstream has announced it is joining forces with Inukshuk Internet, a Microcell subsidiary, and private U.S. investment firm NR Communications to build a $135-million wireless IP-based network in selected markets. Shaw Communications. of Calgary is working on its business plan and Rogers Communications. of Toronto has said it will be in the business soon.
• Japan - VoIP has already made a major impact in the Japan. Yahoo BB has 90% of its 3M broadband users taking voice as part of the service. Other VoIP providers include KDDI, PoweredCom, Japan Telecom, Fusion Communications, Nifty, and E-Access. NTT Communications - the long distance component of the incumbent NTT - is developing its own VoIP service and is now planning to interconnect with a number of rival VoIP services.
• China - Since it has no legacy infrastructure, new entrant China Unicom is building a VoIP network from the outset serving 300 cities in 30 provinces.
• Hong Kong - Here the full convergence of voice, data and video is already a reality for customers of the City Telecom broadband network which uses IP.
• Korea - Hanaro Telecom is a cable operator but it now provides VoIP telephones and claims a quality superior to that of mobile phones.
• Australia - The incumbent Telstra has already acted as contractor to Westpac, one of the country's largest corporations, in that company's move to full IP telephony and now announced it will launch a VoIP solution for small to medium businesses in the first half of 2004. Telstra's main competitor Optus already offers high-end, customized VoIP services for large corporate and government customers. A new company called Comindico claims to offer 'carrier grade' quality for its VoIP service by prioritizing voice traffic.
• New Zealand - As at September 2003, six companies had implemented VoIP solutions and around 100 were actively seeking bids. New Zealand Telecom itself has decided to go over completely to VoIP for its internal communications needs, but it plans to make the change over three-four years.
• Austria - Perhaps more than any other European incumbent, Telekom Austria has embraced the notion that its future lies in VoIP. Therefore it plans to spend between 500-600M Euros replacing its current network with an IP-based next generation network. It envisages moving from 1,240 switches in the PSTN environment to only 200 (plus some soft switches) in the IP world and it has expressed the view that it can reduce operating expenditure "by 40% at least".
• Sweden - Bredbandbolaget has 250,000 users of its VoIP service.

In our next post, we will take you on step by step on how to enjoy the technology of VOIP and make free calls.