Unified Communications & Firewalls

[jimtherev]

I’ve just acquired & started to use Microsoft Communicator, which has varied reviews, but should do what I want it to as I move to Unified Comms to communicate with far-flung family.

However, there’s a snag. The thing connects, then on video calls, after a variable period of time, usually < 10 seconds, bombs out because the router’s firewall thinks I’m living dangerously… thus, lots of reports on the routers log of this type:
UDP Packet - Source:ww.xxx.yy.zzz,25467 Destination:aa.b.c.d,17875 - [DOS]

Doing a bit of Googling, I understand that video conferencing typically uses a lot of UDP ports. However I’m very reluctant to open them all – after all, a firewall is there to protect me…

What do I do next? Any suggestions?

[Saab Dastard]

Use the registry to specify the port or part range:

Description of the Windows Messenger client basic protocol port usage for instant messaging, file transfer, audio, and video (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/903056)

Audio and video

Audio uses a pair of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) ports for a Real-time Protocol (RTP) stream to transmit data. Video uses Real-time Transport Protocol (RTCP) to control the session stream.

By default, the ports that are used are dynamic. However, the ports can be controlled through Group Policy registry settings.

SD

[mixture]

Never used the software and never will. Opening inbound ports for the benefit of Microsoft software is generally to be avoided. :ok:

However, how about using program exceptions in Windows Firewall, that way the ports are only open for Communicator to use....

Office communicator and Windows Firewall - 0 to 60 in a fortnight (http://blogcastrepository.com/blogs/0_to_60_in_a_fortnight/archive/2007/02/23/office-communicator-and-windows-firewall.aspx)


OR .... better still....

Use a VPN between locations :cool:

[jimtherev]

Thanks t'ye both. i'll print out both pages & ponder. Also report back:)
Jim