Polycom PVX Quick start guide

December 2005

Edition: 3725-23299-001/A

Polycom PVX™ is an advanced conferencing software application that delivers

Polycom's premium quality audio, video, and content sharing to your PC and

standard USB camera.

PVX brings unprecedented video conferencing technology to your desktop PC

with the first software application ever offered by the industry leader. Using the

industry's highest quality audio/video algorithms, PVX is the only PC

application to offer both secure communications and People+Content™.

PVX supports most standard web cams, eliminating the need for a separate

video camera. When used in conjunction with a laptop and portable USB camera,

PVX provides the ultimate in portability.

PVX 8.0.1 features added flexibility for configuring to a wide variety of network

connections, including support for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), multiple

network adapters, and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).

This application note explains how to configure PVX for the broadband

connection in your office, home office, or small business. This document also

describes system settings that will maximize video conferencing performance

without compromising your network security.

This document contains the following sections:

❑

Before You Begin

❑

Configuring Your Connection Using the Setup Wizard

❑

Configuring Your Connection Using the PVX Application

❑

Testing and Troubleshooting

❑

Advanced Router Setup

❑

Where to Get the Latest Product Information

❑

Disclaimer

❑

Trademark Information

Internet and Intranet Calling

with Polycom PVX 8.0.1

An Application Note

Internet and Intranet Calling with Polycom PVX 8.0.1

- 2 -

Before You Begin

System Requirements

Please make sure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements for using Polycom

PVX. You can find the latest information about system requirements in the Release Notes for

Polycom PVX, available at www.polycom.com/videosoftware. If your PC does not meet the

requirements, you will not be able to make PVX calls.

If you are running on a laptop PC, be sure to have the AC power plugged in before starting

Windows to ensure the CPU is running in full power mode.

Downloading Free Demonstration Software

To get a free copy of the Polycom PVX software, go to www.polycom.com/pvxtrial. You

can use this software for an unlimited number of calls lasting 5 minutes or less. You can

upgrade the demonstration version to the full version by purchasing a license key and

activating the software as described in this document.

Installing Polycom PVX Software

The first time you start PVX, a wizard guides you through the initial setup. You can set up

your network connection with the help of the wizard, or you can set up your network using

the application’s setup screens. This document provides information about both methods.

For instructions on installing PVX, see the software CD packaging. For the latest

information about Polycom PVX, also refer to the PVX Release Notes, available at

www.polycom.com/videosoftware.

Activating Your PVX Software

When you start PVX, the application prompts you to activate your software. You can either

enter the activation codes or simply click Continue if you prefer to use the evaluation

version. The evaluation version allows you to make unlimited five-minute conferences.

PVX will prompt you to activate your software every time it starts until a valid activation

key is entered. If you would like to obtain an activation code, please contact a Polycom

reseller or go to www.polycom.com.

Internet and Intranet Calling with Polycom PVX 8.0.1

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Configuring Your Connection Using the Setup Wizard

This section provides additional information you will need on some of the wizard pages to

enable calling on the following types of connections:

❑

Within an Intranet

❑

Within a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

❑

Through a DSL or cable modem (no router)

❑

Through a network router

Refer to the appropriate section for your particular connection.

If you need to change your connection setup after you have finished the setup wizard, you

can do so through the PVX application. For more information, refer to Configuring Your

Connection from the PVX Application in this application note.

Setup for Calling Within an Intranet

An Intranet is a private network within a company or organization. Intranet calls remain

inside the firewall, so you can communicate with anyone in your office network without

security issues.

Enter this information in the setup wizard screens if you are setting up PVX for calling

within your company network:

❑

NAT Detected dialog box: If the wizard asks whether to use the external WAN

address, click No.

❑

Select Your IP Address dialog box: If the wizard detects multiple addresses and asks

you to choose the recommended address, click OK.

❑

Network Setup dialog box: Select Use the PC's Local IP Address to make Intranet

calls. The first time you start PVX, a wizard guides you through the initial setup.

If you need to use PVX to make external calls outside of your Intranet, please check with

your network administrator. Calls outside of your Intranet require changes in the firewall

settings to allow video through specific ports. Network administrators oversee firewall

configurations for enabling calls to and from the Internet.

Internet and Intranet Calling with Polycom PVX 8.0.1

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Setup for Calling Within a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

VPN is a private network that uses the public network (the Internet) for secured

communication. Many offices use a virtual private network (VPN) to connect multiple

locations, such as home offices and remote branch offices. With a VPN connection, users have

full access to their company network, whether they are located remotely or at the central

offices.

Calls within your company VPN remain within the firewall, so you can communicate with

anyone in your office network without configuring PVX for connecting externally to the

Internet. This way, users can make calls using the directory and all other communication

equipment they have in the office.

Calls outside of your VPN require changes in the firewall settings to allow video through

specific ports. See the section Setup for Calling Through a Network Router in this document for

port information. Contact your network administrator assistance.

Start your VPN client and establish a connection before starting PVX. Enter this information

in the setup wizard screens:

❑

NAT Detected dialog box: If the wizard asks whether to use the external WAN address,

click No.

❑

Select Your IP Address dialog box: If the wizard detects multiple addresses and asks

you to choose the recommended address, click OK.

Internet and Intranet Calling with Polycom PVX 8.0.1

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❑

Network Setup dialog box: Select Use VPN Address or Secondary Network Adapter.

❑

Address Setup dialog box: Select your VPN connection from the Designate Network

Adapter list. Click OK in Address Setup box and OK in Network Setup.

When you connect to your VPN, your company's network assigns you an address. This is

different from the address assigned by your router. To make calls through your VPN, you

must choose the VPN as your network adapter.

If your VPN is not listed in the network adapter list, please refer to the user manual for your

VPN client to find out how to get the address manually.

Internet and Intranet Calling with Polycom PVX 8.0.1

- 6 -

Setup for Calling Through a DSL or Cable Modem

Use the following instructions for setting up PVX on a computer that accesses the Internet

directly through a DSL or cable modem with no network router.

Calls across the public Internet typically pass through a firewall that protects the computer

from unsolicited traffic from the outside. Computers connected directly to a broadband

modem often use a software-based firewall. If you have firewall software installed on your

computer, you may need to disable or configure the software to allow PVX traffic. See the

Testing and Troubleshooting section of this document for more information.

Enter this information in the setup wizard screens:

❑

NAT Detected dialog box: If the wizard asks whether to use the external WAN

address, click No.

❑

Select Your IP Address dialog box: If the wizard detects multiple addresses and asks

you to choose the recommended address, click OK.

❑

Network Setup dialog box: Select Use the PC’s Local IP Address.

Setup for Calling Through a Network Router

Network routers enable multiple computer resources to share a high-speed Internet

connection such as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) or cable. Most routers for Small Office

Home Office (SOHO) networks include a firewall to protect the network by controlling

unsolicited traffic from outside the network. To allow video conferencing traffic to pass in

and out of your local network, you must open ports in the firewall or your router will block

the request.

Routers also provide Network Address Translation (NAT). NAT uses private internal IP

addresses for the devices within the network while using a single external IP address to

Internet and Intranet Calling with Polycom PVX 8.0.1

- 7 -

communicate outside the network. NAT adds an extra level of security by effectively

masking the internal network behind a single external IP address.

PVX supports video calls behind a firewall. In order to run PVX through a network router

and firewall, you must open specific ports for video conferencing. You assign the open

ports to the internal IP address (as defined by NAT) of the computer running PVX. This

process is known as port forwarding or pinholing. This application note provides

procedures for port forwarding on the most common routers.

If you have firewall software installed on your computer in addition to the router firewall,

you may need to disable or configure the software. See the Testing and Troubleshooting

section of this document for more information.

Entering settings in the setup wizard

Enter this information in the setup wizard screens:

❑

NAT Detected dialog box: If the wizard asks whether to use the external WAN

address, click Yes.

❑

Select Your IP Address dialog box: If the wizard detects multiple addresses and asks

you to choose the recommended address, click OK.

❑

Network Setup dialog box: Select Use External (WAN) IP Address and select Use

Fixed Ports (3230 and 3235).

Verify that the External (WAN) IP Address is the correct number provided by your ISP.

Most routers list the external IP address on a router status page. If you need to change the

IP address, finish the wizard, start PVX, and click Setup > Network to open the

Network tab. Enter the correct External (WAN) IP Address and click OK.

Configuring PVX port forwarding

After you complete the wizard, you must configure ports in your router before you can

make calls with PVX.

Internet and Intranet Calling with Polycom PVX 8.0.1

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If your network is behind a fully aware H.323 firewall, you do not have to configure port

forwarding. Your firewall can detect H.323 video traffic and open ports as necessary. Please

contact your network administrator and refer to Configuring Your Connection from the PVX

Application.

Using a router that does not support Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)

If your router supports Universal Plug and Play, please continue to the next section. If your

router does not support Universal Plug and Play, proceed to the section Configuring Your

Router’s Port Forwarding.

Using a router that supports Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)

Many new routers use UPnP technology that automatically detects network devices,

assigns IP adresses, and enables communication. If your router has UPnP capability, you

do not have to manually configure router ports to open for PVX traffic. PVX 8.0.1 can use

UPnP to automatically open the ports required during your call and close the ports after

use.

If your network security policies prohibit you from using UPnP, you can manually

configure port forwarding. Refer to the next section, Configuring Your Router’s Port

Forwarding.

To use UPnP port forwarding:

1. In PVX, click Setup > Network to open the Network tab.

2. On the Network Setup page, click the Connection tab.

3. Select Behind a NAT/firewall.

4. Click Apply.

5. Click the Ports tab.

6. Select Use UPnP port forwarding.

Internet and Intranet Calling with Polycom PVX 8.0.1

- 9 -

If PVX has not detected a UPnP-enabled router, you cannot select this field.

7. Click Apply.

Configuring your router’s port forwarding

This section provides instructions for opening and assigning ports in the most common

routers from NetGear, Linksys, and D-Link. Most other routers require similar procedures.

Before you can change your router configuration, you must have the following:

❑

The IP address of your router.

Consult your router’s user documentation for the IP address. (Note that many routers

use the default address 192.168.0.1.)

❑

Your router’s administrator name and password.

Consult your router’s user documentation for the user name and password. (Note that

many routers use the default user name admin and password blank or password.)

❑

The IP address that the NAT has assigned to your computer.

To obtain the IP address that a NAT has assigned to a specific Windows XP computer,

click Start > Settings > Network Connection > LAN and select the Support tab. The

Details window shows the IP address. PVX also lists the local IP address in the main

window.

With any router brand or model, you will need to open the ports listed in the following

table.

NetGear Routers

The following procedure applies to NetGear MR814v2 and RP614v2 routers. The screens

and settings may vary slightly for different NetGear models. The procedures assume that

your router is correctly configured and connected to the Internet and that your network is

operational. Follow these steps to configure your NetGear router:

1. In a browser such as Internet Explorer, type the IP address of your router.

Consult your NetGear user documentation for the IP address.

2. Log in to your router setup. Consult your NetGear user documentation for the

user name and password.

Port Function Type

1720 H.323 call setup TCP

5060 SIP call setup TCP and UDP

3230-3237 Siognalling and control for audio, call,

video, and data/FECC

TCP and UDP

1503 (optional) T.120 data collaboration TCP

Table 1: Router ports to open for PVX use

Internet and Intranet Calling with Polycom PVX 8.0.1

- 10 -

3. From the Advanced menu on the left of the page, select Port Forwarding.

4. On the Port Forwarding page, select Add Custom Service.

5. On the Ports-Custom Services page, enter the following information for the

first port in Table 1.

NetGear routers automatically pass TCP and UDP traffic through the same port. You do

not have to designate TCP or UDP when you open ports.

6. Click Apply.

7. Repeat steps 4-6 of this procedure for the remaining ports in Table 1.

8. When you have opened and assigned all of the ports in Table 1, review the Port

Forwarding page. Check that all of the ports are correct, enabled, and assigned

to the correct Server IP (internal) Address.

Linksys Routers

The following procedure applies to the Linksys BEFSX41 router. The screens and settings

may vary slightly for different Linksys models. Follow these steps to configure your

Linksys router:

In this field... Enter this information...

Service Name Any unique identifier such as “H.323 call setup”

Starting Point Port or the starting value of the range listed in Table 1

Ending Point Port or the ending value of the range listed in Table 1

Server IP Address IP address that the NAT has assigned to your computer

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