Hi -

I've used Skype for several months, and have been quite happy. The quality can be variable, but I've had no real issues. Until now, that is.

I've been noticing recently that the light in my system tray that shows that my internet connection is active has been on a lot, even when I'm not using an internet program (ie, even if I'm not net surfing or getting e-mails, still the "little tv" lights on the system tray are often on - sometimes continuously for 10 minutes or more).

I've checked the obvious - are there any Windows Updates being automatically downloaded? Is my network being hacked by an outsider? The answers to these are all negative.

Yesterday, I had to go out for the afternoon. Just before I left home, I switched the computer on and collected my e-mails - nothing of any size or significance. Then I went out.

When I got back, I found that during the afternoon (when I wasn't there!) I'd used 17Mbs of bandwidth - roughly 10Megs downloaded and 7megs up. So, I thought I'd do a bit of serious checking.

I downloaded an evaluation version of a rather effective program called Port Explorer. Amongst other things, this analyses in real time the Port activity on the computer.

To cut this rather long story short, I don't have any bugs; no Trojans; no spyware. The culprit is Skype! That's what's eating the bandwidth. It's sending and receiving stunning amounts of stuff all over the world. It's been in touch with about 20 countries in the time it's taken me to type this post!

In real terms, it doesn't matter, because my bandwidth isn't capped. But for folks who are capped, or who don't like the thought of dynamic activity going on outside of their control, I guess this level of activity could be a bit unnerving.

Has anyone else had this experience? Am I doing anything wrong? All my privacy settings are set to "only people from my contacts".

Any thoughts appreciated.

I'm just waiting on the netgear skype phone to come out. Wifi based so no need for PC. looks like SE 610i.
HURRY UP Netgear!!!!
http://tools.netgear.com/skype/#

Most likely that means that your Skype client became a supernode. You're essentially acting as a relay for users behind restrictive NATs or firewalls.

There's a post here and apparently it shouldn't use more than 5KB/s:

http://forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?t=32639

Do you have a firewall or a router? I have a NAT router and haven't seen a problem with it acting as a supernode (i.e. it doesn't).

That's one reason why some people prefer SIP-based VoIP instead.

jon2009 - thanks for your thoughts


On the advice of a Skype user who seems to have had the same problem, I've unticked "use port 80 & 443" in Tools / Options / Connection. So far so good, everything seems to have calmed down.

I don't have a router, and I use the regular Windows Firewall.

Meantime, I suppose the questions are, if I'm acting as a supernode:

1) Why? and
2) How could that happen without my consent?

As before, any thoughts appreciated.

Even if you have just one PC it's better to have a hardware firewall as that'll block traffic that originates on the Internet by default and hence improve security.

1. It's just the way Skype works as it's a P2P application. The supernode is a similar concept to the outbound proxy in SIP except that in the case of SIP the outbound proxy is run by the service provider, not individual users.

2. You consented when you signed the licence agreement- you did read it didn't you

See point 4.1:
http://www.skype.com/company/legal/eula/

where 'facilitating the communication' means acting as a supernode.

I think Skype's usefulness comes down to what you want from it. Most of our family overseas is on it so my wife now makes all her international calls using it on her laptop. It doesn't save us much in cash terms because we didn't used to call them that often! Now we have 30min calls to Oz/Israel without thinking about it...

The video option is nice and works pretty well.

Occasional echo on the line but that sounds more like the PC at the other end having the mike next to the speakers!

A work colleague does a lot of his PC customer support using it, saving himself (and thus our company) a bunch of money on his phone bills.

I wouldn't replace my main phoneline with it though!

K

For those interested, this page has all the Skupe rates when you 'phone' out from you computer to a proper telephone....

Go here

i have skype and skypein phone number and am happy with it, only thing that does concern me, is that if my pc goes wrong, im stuffed!

I also notice that tesco do one very similar to skype called...Tesco internet phone

Bextech, you must work for sipgate or something because every thread you've posted in, you've mentioned sipgate, even if the thread isn't even about that, just about whether someone should buy this VoIP phone

No, I don't work for Sipgate, and not every post mentions Sipgate. I mention, VoIP Cheap, VoIP Stunt, SIP Discount, InternetCalls, Netappel.fr, VoIPBuster, VoIP Talk and several others.

VoIP Stunt is my main provider, Sipgate I use also, but mainly for incoming and calls to 0800 / 0808 numbers.

But for people who want to test the water, Sipgate is ideal because it's free, they give you an incoming number for free, without any monthly fees, others don't.

Vonage. This is a great service and very reliable. As I don't use BT line for broadband No line rental. They also do a WiFi phone for you to use anywhere there is a hot spot through a deal with cloud. The calls via it are included in your monthly fee £7.99.

I use sipgate & voipfone through a Linksys SPA3000 and a old Cisco ATA186

How are you finding the Linksys SPA3000?

I have a PAP2, as I dumped the landline altogether last September, I think it's a great device.

I only got it a couple of days ago so ive not really played about with it yet im planning on doing this over the weekend but 1st impressions seem ok

I use skype as a lot of my friends have it. The one thing I am really impressed with is the conference calling. To have 4 or 5 people all talking together is fantastic.

I've got a SPA3000 but have yet to set it up. Do you have a setup document that is easy to follow please?

Not really I wouldnt mind something myself reading through the sipura website didnt help much ive got it working through sipgate fine with voipfone now on the the old Cisco but wouldnt mind if I can figure it out to use both at the same tine with the same phone on the SPA

www.bextech.co.uk/ata/ataguide.pdf
www.bextech.co.uk/ata/PAP2_RT31P2guide.pdf

You could give these two a go, not exactly what you are after, but are a starting point.

What types of numbers can youpick for skypeIn? i.e. can it be a London number?

I've got a London SkypeIn number

I have used skype and have it installed but I have to say the quality is no where near as good as when using a real voip service with dedicated voip hardware such as an analogue telephone adapter.

ive got skype but am getting rid, as having to keep paying for number and not reliable enough, plus want a local area number, which i get free from sipgate

i have just got skype but not had the chance to use it yet

I don't use Skype! I use real VoIP services. SIP is an open protocol used by many 'real' VoIP services. An open protocol which can be used with many many devices, and you don't have to be stuck to your PC.

I work for a VoIP company in the UK, so have quite some technical knowledge.

Should anyone need any help getting their hardware working with any non-Skype service, drop me a PM.

Listen to BexTech and sean2003!! Don't waste your money on a Netgear Skype phone. Buy a Grandstream or Linksys IP phone (Google for Grandstream BT101). The only advantage of Skype is that all your mates use it. Get them onto VoipCheap.com where they can get free 'SkypeOut' to landlines, aka VoipOut and use it on the PC same as Skype. It even looks the same. No VoipIn numbers but you can use Sipgate for that and it's completely free. I suggest getting an IP phone with at least 2 lines if you want VoiPIn and VoipOut.

I use the Grandstream GXP2000 with sipgate, voip.co.uk and voipcheap.com. Brill! Wireless IP phones are also on the market but still quite expensive (like the Netgear Skype phone is, although that really is a waste of good money!). I should also say that I had a lot of echo problems using an ATA (DECT Phone Adaptor) but they went away when I got an IP phone.

Switch to the real VoiP now, Skypers! You won't look back.
Last edited by tomblandford : 16-10-2006 at 11:35