I do not have a landline (cell only). Used to connect to a local dialup computer via pcAnywhere over the cellphone to look at some telemetry data. Changed cell service and no longer have that capability.
It looked as if magicJack would be a terrific solution to use VOIP to continue to connect my computer to the dialup machine. Although pcAnywhere DOES dial over the magicJack connection and I can see the ringing & answer on the other end, the handshake is never completed and no data connection is established.
Is there a hack or fix for this issue or is majicJack just a poor choice for this application?
Thanks,
--Larry
DATA (or FAX) USE ?
Moderators: Bill Smith, Pilot
Data over VoIP is extremely problematic. How does the MJ machine connect to the Internet? If by DSL or a good cable modem, there is some hope. Test to Boston at http://www.testyourvoip.com/ . If you get a score of 4.2 or better in each direction, try setting your modem to force a V.34 or V.32 connection at a low speed. Try 9600 bps first, then faster if successful. Also try adjusting the mic and speaker volume levels on MJ.
A better solution would be to avoid the dialup. If the remote machine has a full time Internet connection, you should be able to connect by VPN, or with pcAnywhere over the Internet. If not, perhaps you can get it to periodically dial up (I assume that it has a real landline connection) and upload the telemetry data to a server, from which you can then retrieve it over the Internet. If that is not feasible, maybe you can call it to trigger a script which dials up to the Internet for a short time, during which you can connect via pcAnywhere.
A better solution would be to avoid the dialup. If the remote machine has a full time Internet connection, you should be able to connect by VPN, or with pcAnywhere over the Internet. If not, perhaps you can get it to periodically dial up (I assume that it has a real landline connection) and upload the telemetry data to a server, from which you can then retrieve it over the Internet. If that is not feasible, maybe you can call it to trigger a script which dials up to the Internet for a short time, during which you can connect via pcAnywhere.
Thanks, Stewart. I am connected via wireless-g (through a range extender) to a cable connection. The host computer does not have an Internet connetion as it is dedicated to the water system it monitors, but does have a local telephone connection.
I'll work on forcing my modem to a slower speed and using the test site you suggested. So far I have not had any luck w/ the magicJack using my computer speakers, although per the magic Fix and an "online chat" the settings are correct. I'll set both to their highest settings.
Thanks again for the prompt response.
--Larry
I'll work on forcing my modem to a slower speed and using the test site you suggested. So far I have not had any luck w/ the magicJack using my computer speakers, although per the magic Fix and an "online chat" the settings are correct. I'll set both to their highest settings.
Thanks again for the prompt response.
--Larry
MJ already has G.711 installed. To confirm that it's being used, capture a call with Wireshark and look at the RTP packets. If it's using G711 A-law, you might see a small improvement switching to G711 U-law. Exit MJ and change the registry value HKCU\Software\talk4free\USB Softphone\AudioPreferences\MSG711A\Enabled to 0. Then, restart MJ and make another test call. You should now see U-law packets.
You may be able to make the connection more reliable and/or faster by adjusting the handset send or receive volume levels. I would try downward first.
IMHO, data over VoIP is always flaky; your best bet would be to find a way to avoid it. I know little about your setup; if I've guessed correctly, here are a couple of possibilities:
Is there a landline (or at least a cable digital voice line) near the cable modem? If so, a computer there should be able to connect reliably to the water system machine. You could either run modem sharing software on the intermediate PC, or connect to it from the MJ PC with VNC, RDP, or another copy of pcAnywhere (via Wi-Fi).
If you just need to see the telemetry data periodically, you could have a script on the water system machine that dials up an Internet connection at regular intervals and sends you the data via email, or uploads it to e.g. an FTP server. If you need to see the data on demand, you could call the system and the script would send the email or FTP in response.
If the water system PC is in range of a Wi-Fi network (using a high-gain external antenna if needed), it could have a full time Internet connection. If it presently has a dedicated phone line, the cost of adding the Wi-Fi would be quickly saved if the phone line could be eliminated.
If the water system is in a building with a wired network, or if it's in an outbuilding with it's phone wire connected to a main building, you may be able to reuse the phone wire as an Ethernet cable, to give the monitor system an Internet connection.
If none of the above are applicable to your system, let me know the details and maybe we can come up with an alternate solution.
You may be able to make the connection more reliable and/or faster by adjusting the handset send or receive volume levels. I would try downward first.
IMHO, data over VoIP is always flaky; your best bet would be to find a way to avoid it. I know little about your setup; if I've guessed correctly, here are a couple of possibilities:
Is there a landline (or at least a cable digital voice line) near the cable modem? If so, a computer there should be able to connect reliably to the water system machine. You could either run modem sharing software on the intermediate PC, or connect to it from the MJ PC with VNC, RDP, or another copy of pcAnywhere (via Wi-Fi).
If you just need to see the telemetry data periodically, you could have a script on the water system machine that dials up an Internet connection at regular intervals and sends you the data via email, or uploads it to e.g. an FTP server. If you need to see the data on demand, you could call the system and the script would send the email or FTP in response.
If the water system PC is in range of a Wi-Fi network (using a high-gain external antenna if needed), it could have a full time Internet connection. If it presently has a dedicated phone line, the cost of adding the Wi-Fi would be quickly saved if the phone line could be eliminated.
If the water system is in a building with a wired network, or if it's in an outbuilding with it's phone wire connected to a main building, you may be able to reuse the phone wire as an Ethernet cable, to give the monitor system an Internet connection.
If none of the above are applicable to your system, let me know the details and maybe we can come up with an alternate solution.
Ouch - sounds like I have lots of negative responses to you here, Stewart.
The Water System telemetry computer is about 3/4 mile away (not in visual sight) and has a landline telephone connection - no internet service. No WiFi or existing cable service in the area, but I will look into relative costs of canceling the telephone line and switching to a cable Internet connection.
I have no landline, but do have a wireless internet cable connection via a "community" router & range entender. I score 4.1 or 4.2 on "testyourvoip".
I wil also check out the registry settings and various send/receive levels and report back.
Thanks again.
--Larry
The Water System telemetry computer is about 3/4 mile away (not in visual sight) and has a landline telephone connection - no internet service. No WiFi or existing cable service in the area, but I will look into relative costs of canceling the telephone line and switching to a cable Internet connection.
I have no landline, but do have a wireless internet cable connection via a "community" router & range entender. I score 4.1 or 4.2 on "testyourvoip".
I wil also check out the registry settings and various send/receive levels and report back.
Thanks again.
--Larry