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Just thought i would throw this one out to anyone who is interested.
Note: This is a LAN broadcast (multicast) system, it does NOT trigger any kind of alert, activate any devices, etc. It just re-transmits/streams the NOAA weather radio audio on the local network so that it can be received by IP phones and/or PC’s.
1) Make sure your networks are set to pass MULTICAST traffic to ALL nodes (internally).
2) On one of your internal web servers create a directory URL path called “NOAA”.
3) On the web server , and in the folder you just created:
a. Create a XML file (use Notepad and name the file “NOAA.XML”. This is a plain old text file with the extension changed to “.XML”
NOTE: 225.x.x.x represents the IP Address of the multicast channel you have elected to use. Make sure it is NOT in use by anything else. Remember, the network MUST be setup to pass this multicast to all nodes on the internal network.
b. Inside the NOAA.XML file add the following text to the file.
<CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
<ExecuteItem Priority="0" URL="RTPMRx:Stop"/>
<ExecuteItem Priority="1" URL="RTPMRx:225.x.x.x:32000"/>
<ExecuteItem Priority="1" URL="</CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
c. Create another XML document called “menu.xml” in the same directory, this file should contain the following:
<CiscoIPPhoneText>
<Title>BROADCAST</Title>
<Prompt> MAKE SELECTION NOW </Prompt>
<Text> MUTE will pause the audio. EXIT returns the phone to normal operation.
If your telephone rings, lift the handset to answer or press EXIT to select other options.
</Text>
<SoftKeyItem>
<Name>WEATHER</Name>
<URL>http:// web.server.ip.address/noaa/NOAA.xml</URL>
<Position>1</Position>
</SoftKeyItem>
<SoftKeyItem>
<Name>MUTE</Name>
<URL>RTPMRx:Stop</URL>
<Position>2</Position>
</SoftKeyItem>
<SoftKeyItem>
<Name>Exit</Name>
<URL> <Position>3</Position>
</SoftKeyItem>
</CiscoIPPhoneText>
d. Create another XML document called “TX.XML” and add the following text to the file
<CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
<ExecuteItem Priority="1" URL="RTPMTx:225.x.x.x:32000"/>
</CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
e. Lastly, create another XML document called “EXIT.XML” and add the following text to the file (same directory)
<CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
<ExecuteItem Priority="0" URL="RTPMRx:Stop"/>
<ExecuteItem Priority="0" URL="Init:Services"/>
</CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
4) On the Cisco Call Manager
a. Create two service in Call Manager
i. Device/Device Settings/Phone Services
ii. ADD a NEW service called “NOAA TX”
Service Name “NOAA TX”
ASCII Service Name “NOAA TX”
Service Description “NOAA TX”
Service URL Secure Service Name (Leave Blank)
Service Category “XML Service”
Service type “Standard IP Phone Service”
Check the ENABLE check box
Leave everything else blank
Save the Service
iii. Using the SAME procedures listed above, add another service using the following:
iv. ADD a NEW service called “NOAA RADIO”
Service Name “NOAA RADIO”
ASCII Service Name “NOAA RADIO”
Service Description “NOAA RADIO”
Service URL Secure Service Name (Leave Blank)
Service Category “XML Service”
Service type “Standard IP Phone Service”
Check the ENABLE check box
If you want to make it available to ALL phones, then check the “ENTERPRISE SUBSCRIPTION” checkbox. (This only appears when creating a NEW service. Once completed, the phones will need to RELOAD in order to see the new services).
Leave everything else blank
Save the Service
b. Using whatever method you wish, in Call Manager, add the “NOAA RADIO” service you just added to each phone that you want to be able to listen to the stream (we allowed ALL phones to listen if they wish). I used the BULK administration features of Call Manager to distribute/program the phones to allow this service.
c. Grab a CHEAP Cisco phone (Now, here is the “On-The-Cheap” part)!
i. Add the phone to Call Manager (we used a 7906 phone but almost any Cisco IP-phone will work). Do NOT add a line to the phone but DO make sure the phone properly registers to Call Manager.
ii. Add the “NOAA TX” service to this phone. The “NOAA TX” service should NOT be added to ANY other phone as it will cause problems. Also, you should NOT add the NOAA RADIO service to this phone. Less confusion!
iii. Grab a cheap WX radio (I used a Radio Shack WR-300 but anything with an external speaker jack will work).Make sure you set the weather radio to play NOAA audio at all times.
iv. Plug an OLD set of headphones into the Weather Radio’s speaker jack.
v. Place the working headset (the one with audio) over the microphone of the 7906 IP Phone and tape in place. (Make sure you hear NOAA audio).
vi. Wrap the complete headset / phone microphone in foam or anything that will soundproof it. (If you do not do this, the microphone WILL pick-up room noise. Depending on who is listening and what you say that might be bad!
vii. Place the headset /phone microphone in a box (Further sound proofing). Place the BOX in a closed cabinet (Even more sound proofing).
viii. On the 7906 phone select SERVICES and then the NOAA TX service. This will cause the phone to execute the NOAA_TX.XML code you created on the web server.
d. On any other Cisco phone (that you authorized for the “NOAA RADIO” service, select SERVICES followed by the NOAA RADIO service. You should start hearing the NOAA Weather Radio audio from the phone speaker. Note: You may need adjust the volume control on the weather radio so that it is loud enough but does not distort.
And that, as we say, is how you transmit/stream NOAA Weather Radio across your internal network so your Cisco IP phones can listen to it on demand.
For those of you who wish to know, the 7906 NOAA TX phone is transmitting’/streaming using RTP multicast, the G.711 Codec (RAW PCM 8000 Hz Sample Rate) with a µ-law compressed signal.
The bandwidth used by the RTP stream is less than a normal two way conversation and because it is multicast it is only present on a network node when someone on that node JOINS the multicast. Remember, when broadcasting to a large group, multicast uses FAR less bandwidth than individual unicast connections would use and is only on a given node when someone issues a JOIN command from that node. Joining the multicast group is what the NOAA.XML file forces the phones to do when the person selects the NOAA RADIO service.
Also FYI: For those of you who use VLC Media Player on your PC, you can also listen to the multicast using VLC with the following URL rtp://225.x.x.x:32000/
Unlike VLC, Windows Media Player is NOT able to decode RTP multicast streams…. (We call that “Cripple-ware”… Yes it can do RTSP. But NOT straight RTP). Bunch of rich idiots, they want you to use their streaming server and use their file format (not IP-Phone compatible)!
If you are interested in transmitting the same signal via a web browser, take a look at NCH Software’s Broadwave Streaming Audio Server software. Though it uses UNICAST it works great for streaming to a browser for a small number of users and is free as long as you place a link in every page that opens a stream.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Now, before you get the bright idea of connecting the Cisco phone microphone wires directly to the weather radio’s speaker jack, you need to know that the Cisco phone puts a DC microphone voltage on the microphone input. If you make a direct connection to the speaker jack (or line out) it will very likely damage either the phone or the weather radio (or both) if you do not use a proper DC isolation system… In short – Resist the urge and don’t do it.
For those of you who would like a little less “joy rigging” you should look at a BARIX Instreamer 100 encoder to replace the 7906 phone as the multicast “transmitter’... A bit more expensive, but a lot more reliable and you won’t have to select the NOAA TX service every time the 7906 phone reboots or power drops. But hey, I did say “On the Cheap”! (We only used the 7906 phone for testing, the BARIX is on order).
Network Administrator - Communications & Security Services
Merrillville Commuity School Corp.
276 East 68th Place
Merrillville, IN 46910
Note: This is a LAN broadcast (multicast) system, it does NOT trigger any kind of alert, activate any devices, etc. It just re-transmits/streams the NOAA weather radio audio on the local network so that it can be received by IP phones and/or PC’s.
1) Make sure your networks are set to pass MULTICAST traffic to ALL nodes (internally).
2) On one of your internal web servers create a directory URL path called “NOAA”.
3) On the web server , and in the folder you just created:
a. Create a XML file (use Notepad and name the file “NOAA.XML”. This is a plain old text file with the extension changed to “.XML”
NOTE: 225.x.x.x represents the IP Address of the multicast channel you have elected to use. Make sure it is NOT in use by anything else. Remember, the network MUST be setup to pass this multicast to all nodes on the internal network.
b. Inside the NOAA.XML file add the following text to the file.
<CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
<ExecuteItem Priority="0" URL="RTPMRx:Stop"/>
<ExecuteItem Priority="1" URL="RTPMRx:225.x.x.x:32000"/>
<ExecuteItem Priority="1" URL="</CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
c. Create another XML document called “menu.xml” in the same directory, this file should contain the following:
<CiscoIPPhoneText>
<Title>BROADCAST</Title>
<Prompt> MAKE SELECTION NOW </Prompt>
<Text> MUTE will pause the audio. EXIT returns the phone to normal operation.
If your telephone rings, lift the handset to answer or press EXIT to select other options.
</Text>
<SoftKeyItem>
<Name>WEATHER</Name>
<URL>http:// web.server.ip.address/noaa/NOAA.xml</URL>
<Position>1</Position>
</SoftKeyItem>
<SoftKeyItem>
<Name>MUTE</Name>
<URL>RTPMRx:Stop</URL>
<Position>2</Position>
</SoftKeyItem>
<SoftKeyItem>
<Name>Exit</Name>
<URL> <Position>3</Position>
</SoftKeyItem>
</CiscoIPPhoneText>
d. Create another XML document called “TX.XML” and add the following text to the file
<CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
<ExecuteItem Priority="1" URL="RTPMTx:225.x.x.x:32000"/>
</CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
e. Lastly, create another XML document called “EXIT.XML” and add the following text to the file (same directory)
<CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
<ExecuteItem Priority="0" URL="RTPMRx:Stop"/>
<ExecuteItem Priority="0" URL="Init:Services"/>
</CiscoIPPhoneExecute>
4) On the Cisco Call Manager
a. Create two service in Call Manager
i. Device/Device Settings/Phone Services
ii. ADD a NEW service called “NOAA TX”
Service Name “NOAA TX”
ASCII Service Name “NOAA TX”
Service Description “NOAA TX”
Service URL Secure Service Name (Leave Blank)
Service Category “XML Service”
Service type “Standard IP Phone Service”
Check the ENABLE check box
Leave everything else blank
Save the Service
iii. Using the SAME procedures listed above, add another service using the following:
iv. ADD a NEW service called “NOAA RADIO”
Service Name “NOAA RADIO”
ASCII Service Name “NOAA RADIO”
Service Description “NOAA RADIO”
Service URL Secure Service Name (Leave Blank)
Service Category “XML Service”
Service type “Standard IP Phone Service”
Check the ENABLE check box
If you want to make it available to ALL phones, then check the “ENTERPRISE SUBSCRIPTION” checkbox. (This only appears when creating a NEW service. Once completed, the phones will need to RELOAD in order to see the new services).
Leave everything else blank
Save the Service
b. Using whatever method you wish, in Call Manager, add the “NOAA RADIO” service you just added to each phone that you want to be able to listen to the stream (we allowed ALL phones to listen if they wish). I used the BULK administration features of Call Manager to distribute/program the phones to allow this service.
c. Grab a CHEAP Cisco phone (Now, here is the “On-The-Cheap” part)!
i. Add the phone to Call Manager (we used a 7906 phone but almost any Cisco IP-phone will work). Do NOT add a line to the phone but DO make sure the phone properly registers to Call Manager.
ii. Add the “NOAA TX” service to this phone. The “NOAA TX” service should NOT be added to ANY other phone as it will cause problems. Also, you should NOT add the NOAA RADIO service to this phone. Less confusion!
iii. Grab a cheap WX radio (I used a Radio Shack WR-300 but anything with an external speaker jack will work).Make sure you set the weather radio to play NOAA audio at all times.
iv. Plug an OLD set of headphones into the Weather Radio’s speaker jack.
v. Place the working headset (the one with audio) over the microphone of the 7906 IP Phone and tape in place. (Make sure you hear NOAA audio).
vi. Wrap the complete headset / phone microphone in foam or anything that will soundproof it. (If you do not do this, the microphone WILL pick-up room noise. Depending on who is listening and what you say that might be bad!
vii. Place the headset /phone microphone in a box (Further sound proofing). Place the BOX in a closed cabinet (Even more sound proofing).
viii. On the 7906 phone select SERVICES and then the NOAA TX service. This will cause the phone to execute the NOAA_TX.XML code you created on the web server.
d. On any other Cisco phone (that you authorized for the “NOAA RADIO” service, select SERVICES followed by the NOAA RADIO service. You should start hearing the NOAA Weather Radio audio from the phone speaker. Note: You may need adjust the volume control on the weather radio so that it is loud enough but does not distort.
And that, as we say, is how you transmit/stream NOAA Weather Radio across your internal network so your Cisco IP phones can listen to it on demand.
For those of you who wish to know, the 7906 NOAA TX phone is transmitting’/streaming using RTP multicast, the G.711 Codec (RAW PCM 8000 Hz Sample Rate) with a µ-law compressed signal.
The bandwidth used by the RTP stream is less than a normal two way conversation and because it is multicast it is only present on a network node when someone on that node JOINS the multicast. Remember, when broadcasting to a large group, multicast uses FAR less bandwidth than individual unicast connections would use and is only on a given node when someone issues a JOIN command from that node. Joining the multicast group is what the NOAA.XML file forces the phones to do when the person selects the NOAA RADIO service.
Also FYI: For those of you who use VLC Media Player on your PC, you can also listen to the multicast using VLC with the following URL rtp://225.x.x.x:32000/
Unlike VLC, Windows Media Player is NOT able to decode RTP multicast streams…. (We call that “Cripple-ware”… Yes it can do RTSP. But NOT straight RTP). Bunch of rich idiots, they want you to use their streaming server and use their file format (not IP-Phone compatible)!
If you are interested in transmitting the same signal via a web browser, take a look at NCH Software’s Broadwave Streaming Audio Server software. Though it uses UNICAST it works great for streaming to a browser for a small number of users and is free as long as you place a link in every page that opens a stream.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Now, before you get the bright idea of connecting the Cisco phone microphone wires directly to the weather radio’s speaker jack, you need to know that the Cisco phone puts a DC microphone voltage on the microphone input. If you make a direct connection to the speaker jack (or line out) it will very likely damage either the phone or the weather radio (or both) if you do not use a proper DC isolation system… In short – Resist the urge and don’t do it.
For those of you who would like a little less “joy rigging” you should look at a BARIX Instreamer 100 encoder to replace the 7906 phone as the multicast “transmitter’... A bit more expensive, but a lot more reliable and you won’t have to select the NOAA TX service every time the 7906 phone reboots or power drops. But hey, I did say “On the Cheap”! (We only used the 7906 phone for testing, the BARIX is on order).
Network Administrator - Communications & Security Services
Merrillville Commuity School Corp.
276 East 68th Place
Merrillville, IN 46910