Client VoIP (PM SoftPnone) on Vista :(

[internalit]

Hi
We're running 406v2 with 3.2 (54) software.
We are trying to get a (SIMPLE!!) setup to allow users to use their laptops as VoIP SoftPhones connected to the avaya in the normal way.

For this we are using PhoneManager Pro in SoftPhone mode (is there any other way?). We've tried 3.2.28; 3.2.34; 4.0.18 versions with same issues.

Overall the PhoneManager pro in SoftPhone mode seems unstable and seems to crash very frequently! Any known fixes?

On XP - the client seems to drop every 7 seconds just for a small time (<1/10th second?) - but it is very annoying.

On Vista - the client seems slightly more unstable, but in addition the voice is clear one way (speaking) - but when listenning the quality is apauling and unsable.

(All systems are on fully switched network and LAN capacity not an issue (though not QoS))

Any comments welcome.

RJ

 

[PlatinumGuy]

Softphone is not supported on Vista.

As for the XP platform, what do you mean it drops for a small time? Do you mean the speech dissapears for a short while?

What else is your laptop doing? Can you close everything on your laptop, does it do the same thing.


Configure a PC Softphone
The presence of the and icons indicate that Phone Manager is running in VoIP mode. The title bar should also state Phone Manager iPro orPhone Manager SoftPhone.

To make the changes required in Manager:

There must be both a Phone Manager Pro and a Phone Manager Pro IP Audio Enabled license available when the user starts Phone Manager.

Changes to the user:

The user must be associated with an IP extension with Allow Direct Media Path selected.

Click the Phone Manager Options tab.
- Select Phone Manager PC Softphone
- Check the optionPC Softphone mode.

Click the Telephony tab.
- Check Offhook Station.



The PC must be enabled for audio playback and recording via an installed soundcard or USB microphone headset. Phone Manager checks for this when started.

To make the changes in Phone Manager:

Click > Phone Manager.
Alternatively, click View > Preferences > Phone Manager. The Phone Manager window opens.



Check Play Sounds. Incoming calls are alerted by an incoming sound.

Check Enable VoIP.

Click OK to save your changes.

Click > Audio Codec
Alternatively, click View > Preferences > Audio Codec. The Audio Codec window opens.


Select one of the four industry standard audio codecs, as the preferred audio codec for VoIP communication.

Use & to select the audio codec required.

(Optional) If you are using a low bandwidth connection for example a dial Up Modem, increasing the Frames per packet to 2 might improve the quality of the VoIP communication. However this is not guaranteed. If you are not using a low bandwidth connection it is recommended you use the default value of 1.

(Optional) If you have multiple IP connections select Confirm VoIP IP Address. Prompts you to select the IP address for VoIP communication.

(Optional) Select Enable FastStart to provide the caller with a ring tone. If it is not checked the caller does not hear ring tone, but the call is connected faster.

Click OK to save the changes.

Close Phone Manager. When you next start Phone Manager the options selected will be active.



Note

QoS support from the users PC is optional but is highly recommended. Windows 2000 and Windows XP are able to provide the user with QoS that can be configure to match the QoS settings of the IP Office. See VoIP Quality of Service (QoS).



WARNING - To change the settings you must be connected to the telephone switch.









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[internalit]

Not supported on VISTA!!

You are kidding?! Though I suspect not. What is the solution when all laptops deployed are now vista - and I have roaming users who need a phone?

Any ETA for Vista support?

On the XP client the sound just vanishes for 1/10th of a second. Laptop has no other apps or AV running, but I'll go and kill all non-essential servies and retry.

Thanks.

 

[Gibsonic]

Vista is still not widely accepted as a stable corporate desktop OS.

However, considering the IPO is a SMB platfrom and SMB's generally buy with less rigid standards(laptops from BestBuy, etc), it would be nice if Avaya and other vendors could keep up with their marketbase's needs. In reality, Avaya has enough issues with the IPO in keeping it's core system stable and the ancillary apps are no doubt 2nd fiddle.

As with any new platform it takes time for bugs to be worked out to be replaced by stability. Just needs to cook longer, give more time.

 

[PlatinumGuy]

Generally Platform support is introduced 6 months after GA.

I do not know when vista went GA but Phone manager (non voip variety) and soft console are supported but not soft phone or tapi.

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[SuperJenks]

How did you determin that its not a network congestion problem. Make sure they dont have an instant messengers or anything else that maybe making connections out that could slow down the transmittion of voice packets. I have had customers with the same problem and it was the IM's, somtimes outlook when excepting an incoming email will effect it. Bandwidth will be the ultimate culprit. Do this as a test just to verify:

Run a constant ping to another pc on the local network or to the IPO over the vpn if using a remote softphone. Try it without making a call at the same time, and then try it with making a call at same time for comparison. You will be able to see spikes in transmittion based on the ping repsonses in milli-seconds. In my opion, ive found that you should be under 100 milliseconds to sustain good call quality but others have said 150 milli. If you see it going up and down, or an occasional spike, open up task manager/processes and try to match up the ping spikes with the processor/memory spikes of any services or applications. This will help isolate the problem. We are talking about 2 potential problems here. 1)Bandwidth 2)Resources and other applications slowing down the performance of softphone.

Start with these tests, if this does not shed some light then I would recommend a network assesment. You will not get any support from avaya until you do that. Good luck.

 

[internalit]

Technically 31st January - so that suggests I have 11 days to go!!

We've been running Vista since early Jan, and also some users have been using it for 12 months. As for the stability issue - its actually doing us proud - its the noddy apps that give us grief!

As for ruling out LAN problems... LAN activity is very low indeed - fully switched network. My machines are on the gig backbone. The avaya on a 100Mb port on a switch connected to the backbone (current activity 400kbits/s - average 700kbits/s - hardly pushed! Ping response between clients and avaya is between 1 and 8ms. 5610sw IP phone is "perfect" on LAN - and even over a VPN link between us and India at 300-700ms!!!

So deffo client side software

Guess its hassle our supplier and wait then....

 

[PlatinumGuy]

Sounds like the laptop is doing other things.

Have you tried closing everything on that machine and retrying?

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