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
❑ Copyright Information
❑ Disclaimer
❑ Trademark Information
Internet and Intranet Calling
with Polycom PVX 8.0.1
An Application Note

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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