Using Voice over IP with Ekiga

Contents

12.1. Configuring Ekiga
12.2. The Ekiga User Interface
12.3. Making a Call
12.4. Answering a Call
12.5. Using the Address Book
12.6. For More Information

Abstract

Modern telecommunication means far more than just making a phone call. It is also about text messaging and sometimes even video conferencing. Roaming enables you to be reachable under one phone number all across the world. Ekiga brings these features to your Linux desktop, allowing you to communicate over broadband Internet.

Before starting, make sure that the following requirements are met:

Configuring Ekiga

On first start, Ekiga opens a configuration assistant that requests all data needed to configure Ekiga. Proceed as follows:

  1. Enter your full name (name and surname).

  2. Enter your ekiga.net account data or choose not to sign up with ekiga.net.

    To add other accounts later, configure them using Edit+Accounts.

  3. Enter your Ekiga Call Out Account data or choose not to sign up with ekiga.net.

  4. Determine your connection type.

  5. Choose the audio manager to use. Accept the default setting ALSA, as it guarantees the best sound quality. Other sound systems, like OSS, are not available on openSUSE.

    By default, there is no ringing device set. If you want a ring tone, change this to one of your available audio devices.

  6. Choose the video input device, if available.

  7. Check the summary of your settings and apply them.

  8. If registration fails after making changes to your configuration, just restart Ekiga.

Ekiga allows you to maintain multiple accounts. To configure an additional account, proceed as follows:

  1. Open Edit+Accounts.

  2. Choose Accounts+Add <account type>. If unsure, select Add a SIP Account.

  3. Enter the Registrar to which you want to register. This is usually an IP address or a host name that will be given to you by your Internet Telephony Service Provider. Enter User, and Password according to the data provided by your provider.

  4. Leave the configuration dialog with OK and activate the account. The status of your account displayed in the Ekiga main window changes to Registered.