Phoner
Phoner [ fəʊnə ] is a freeware program for Microsoft operating systems.
Phoner allows voice connections in the fixed network to mobile phones and VoIP peers. The program can be used as softphone on analog subscriber connections to ISDN digital subscriber lines and as softphone on stationary and mobile computers.
The proper name is a derivative of the English verb to phone [ tu ː fəʊn ] and can be translated in accordance with the English meaning with callers. In the linguistic context, the application is a software equivalent of a phone with built-in recording, logging, management and control functions.
Due to the additional support for IP telephony features its own program version with the suffix " Lite " [ laɪt ] is provided without charge as freeware available since 1 June 2005 by the developers.
Since the first release Phoner in the languages German and English is available. Bulgarian, French, Italian, Greek, Dutch, Spanish and Czech translations and made available by the developer area code for the countries of Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland and Switzerland indicate a wide distribution of the software. Transcriptions of the texts used in the Arabic alphabet or Arabic script translations for language -use areas are not officially available, but the software in these language areas are mentioned on the web pages associated with the name of the developer.
The program was presented, discussed and recommended in various journals in the German-speaking countries.
Properties
The development was independent of proprietary performance targets and the use of place communication protocols were implemented within the framework of their specifications. This is to a high degree of compatibility can be achieved on the available network technologies as well as to terminal hardware used in connection with the software.
Phoner and PhonerLite [ fəʊnɜ ː ˌ laɪt ] based on the same code. The developer did not pursue on PhonerLite addition to the modes for an ISDN mode ( CAPI ) and the use of analog subscriber lines (TAPI ) to management, control, logging and recording functions of the larger Phoner variant.
PhonerLite can only be used as softphone for IP telephony ( VoIP). Since this variant has set-up assistance for the configuration of the connection data and protects the limitation of the uses system resources should be possible to use the IP - telephony mainly for beginners.
Phoner can be used instead of or, when installed in a different directory, be used simultaneously with PhonerLite. The configuration used a " Lite " version can be accepted for the SIP mode.
Description
Phoner can be used in three modes of operation that allow operation with system -installed devices to analog subscriber lines, with terminals to ISDN digital subscriber lines and as an IP phone.
The application uses as a front end, the technical capabilities of installed modems, ISDN devices and power adapters for computer telephony integration. About a graphical user interface ( GUI), the call from the command line as well as an available-for runtime COM interface, the program provides functions for setting up or receiving of calls and other functions of a telephony terminal available.
For active use of Phoner as telephony software for setting up and receiving of calls a sound card installed, full-duplex and a microphone are required. It is also possible to use a headset or a compatible USB telephone handset.
The available through manufacturer-specific device drivers or libraries functions of a communication hardware are addressed through standardized interfaces, also program libraries.
Modes of operation
The available operating modes can be selectively and independently from each other are used. If concomitant use of the software is required in several operating conditions, can be done for each task an installation in its own program directory. It can be active simultaneously, in each case to monitor an operating mode or one of each task assigned to multiple instances of the software.
TAPI
The TAPI mode is used for operation on an analog subscriber line or analog device. The communication with modems, or other devices to analog subscriber lines via a TAPI interface. TAPI is a program library, which is used for the operation of hardware of communication with a computer system.
The use of the program on analog subscriber lines and ISDN subscriber lines is possible since the first release on 1 February 1998.
The TAPI mode of operation is deprecated since since September 1995 ISDN is widely available in Germany. This mode can be used for telephony behind a TAPI -enabled telephone system that is operated on an ISDN Basic Rate Interface or PRI line.
CAPI
The CAPI mode of operation is used to operate on an ISDN subscriber line. If an ISDN basic or primary rate interface is used, and an ISDN card or some other CAPI supported hardware is available, the communication happens via an application installed on the computer CAPI interface.
To use ISDN functions and ISDN features, the program needs in the CAPI mode, a program library named " CAPI2032.DLL ".
If an additional network card is available, the program can be used in a LAN as a front-end application behind a CAPI server across different operating systems. The CAPI server provides the functionality of a server -installed CAPI program library client computers in the network is available as an independent application.
This mode of operation allows voice and data transmission according to the logical specifications of the Europe-wide since 1991 ISDN DSS1 standards. If supported by the used terminal hardware and CAPI, provided call-processing features via the ISDN D - channel or with analog connections on the multi-frequency dialing can be used with Phoner except voice and data connections to the DSS1 standard by the network provider.
VoIP
The VoIP mode is used for IP telephony in accordance with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Since the program version 1.66, an operating mode for the VoIP telephony according to the SIP standard is implemented. If a network card is installed, the software can be used within a limited local computer network or for call connections to other computer networks within an IP network environment in SIP mode.
In the scope of the program is a program library with the name " sipper.dll " is present, the VoIP functionality according to the SIP standard similar to a " CAPI2032.DLL " provides the CAPI mode.
The implementation of call processing features for IP telephony is done strictly according to the specifications of RFC 3261 for the Session Initiation Protocol. This is the technical compatibility be achieved to companies that offer IP telephony based on the Session Initiation Protocol for connections via gateways to the fixed network and the mobile network.
Functions
- Drag & Drop operation
- Basic telephony services ( call setup, call answering )
- Interactive phone calls by using the sound card ( microphone and speaker )
- Use of different connection types of lines possible
- Features (ISDN and SIP) Hold, Call Swap, Call Forwarding in the ringing phase, conferences, Message Waiting Indication
- Transfer, call forwarding, call back on busy and no answer, call rejection, CallerID
- Configured for the subscriber line,
- Each individual MSN or set phone number,
- And the number of transmitted (CLIP).
- E -mail sending voice message
- Add-on capability
- Batch capability
- Transport Layer Security (TLS ), Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol ( SRTP)
History
1998 - 2003
The Phoner program was created in February 1998 from the developer Heiko Sommerfeldt as part of his diploma thesis at the University of Ulm. In the following years, the development of additional administrative recording, logging and control functions carried out.
2004 - 2005
With the growing number of broadband connections, the computer- based ISDN telephony declined due to the additionally necessary ISDN hardware. A concomitant and growing increase in IP telephony can it be justified that telephone calls between VoIP subscribers were offered mostly free and remaining free contractual bonds.
The Session Initiation Protocol ( SIP) prevailed for telephone calls over the H.323 protocol, which support Phoner and PhonerLite exclusively SIP for VoIP calls.
Based on the LGPL - licensed library oSIP developed Heiko Sommerfeldt based on the standardized " CAPI2032.DLL " the " sipper.dll " that provides VoIP functionality for call connections and performance of IP telephony in SIP mode of operation of the program.
On 1 June 2005, the program variant PhonerLite was released based on the same source code that only allows telephone calls in an IP network environment.
The development was carried out on the grounds that PhonerLite should be as easy to use softphone for the exclusive VoIP use available while more extensive by the integration of the SIP mode in the original program variant Phoner a necessarily more complex operation of the program as well as due to the increased connectivity setting possibilities emerged.
2006 - 2007
The development of VoIP functionality was extended to the transmission security. It was the implementation of the encryption techniques SRTP and TLS.
2008 - 2009
Support for wideband codecs such as G.722 and Speex Wideband permit by a higher sampling frequency of 16 kHz better voice quality. PhonerLite also controls the sound card at this higher frequency.
IPv6 is supported
2010 - 2011
Besides PhonerLite now supports Phoner Wideband - since version 2.51 not only for VoIP connections, but also via ISDN.
Phoner and PhonerLite now also support ZRTP on voice encryption. Another Wideband codec CELT is also supported.
2012
PhonerLite can now import Google contacts. Instead of the CELT codec, the codec OPUS is now supported.