Vidicode V-Tap ISDN PRI User manual

V-Tap ISDN PRI Manual EN v1.23 Nov 2021 © 2018-2021 Vidicode 1
V-Tap ISDN PRI
Manual
v1.23

V-Tap ISDN PRI Manual EN v1.23 Nov 2021 © 2018-2021 Vidicode 2
Contents
1Introduction....................................................................4
2Getting started...............................................................5
2.1 Hardware installation.......................................................5
2.1.1 Sniff mode operation............................................................. 6
2.1.2 Pass-Through mode operation .............................................. 6
2.1.3 Parallel connection................................................................. 7
2.1.4 In-Line connection.................................................................. 7
2.2 Software installation ........................................................8
2.2.1 Call Recorder Apresa.............................................................. 8
2.2.2 V-Archive software on a PC................................................... 9
2.3 Checklist for Tunnel connection ....................................10
3Web interface and Settings .........................................11
3.1 Access & IP address .........................................................11
3.2 Web interface..................................................................12
3.3 Settings............................................................................14
3.3.1 General Network settings.................................................... 14
3.3.2 Tunnel settings..................................................................... 16
3.3.3 Special Tunnel & Network settings..................................... 17
3.3.4 Wi-Fi settings........................................................................ 19
3.3.5 Login settings for Web access & FTP................................... 20
3.3.6 NTP and Date+Time settings ............................................... 21
3.3.7 ISDN PRI settings .................................................................. 22
3.3.8 Black/White-list Numbers .................................................... 24
3.3.9 Special Settings & Commands ............................................. 25
3.3.10 Licenses & Versions .............................................................. 28
4LED’s .............................................................................29
4.1 Red Error LED ..................................................................29
4.2 Green Link LED ................................................................30
4.3 Blue Data LED..................................................................31
4.4 Amber SD-Power LED .....................................................31

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5Button functions ..........................................................32
5.1 Remove SD Card safely ..................................................32
5.2 Disable DHCP temporary................................................33
5.3 Show IP address ..............................................................33
5.4 Copy Settings from SD card ...........................................34
5.5 Factory settings...............................................................34
5.6 Format SD card................................................................34
5.7 Default IP address...........................................................34
5.8 Temporary access with Wi-Fi .........................................35
5.9 Firmware update ............................................................36
6SD card usage...............................................................37
6.1 Special SD card settings .................................................38
7Notification & System Messages .................................42
8Number-list (Black- or White-list) ................................43
9Telnet connection.........................................................44
10 Remote control with UDP commands.....................45
11 D-channel trace for debug.......................................47
12 ISDN PRI RJ45 connectors & wiring .........................48
13 Revision History .......................................................49
14 Acknowledgements.................................................50
14.1 Privacy..............................................................................50
14.2 Liability ............................................................................50

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1Introduction
The V-Tap ISDN PRI is a hardware and software solution for the
recording of telephone calls. The supplied hardware unit can record the
audio from an ISDN-30 line with E1 interface. The recorded calls are
stored digitally onto an SD card in WAV files, and therefore the V-Tap
ISDN PRI can operate stand-alone. The content of the SD card can be
sent optionally over the network, in which case the data is wrapped into
a special Tunnel-format that can be received by the Call Recorder Apresa
(running on Linux) or by a Windows PC running the V-Archive software.
The external Apresa recorder or V-Archive software can both interpret
the tunnel-format and make playable audio files from it, together with
the original date, time and call number information (meta data).
The use of an SD card is mandatory and must be FAT32 formatted. The
recorded data is stored in WAV file format on the card (G.711 A-Law).
Depending on whether a Tunnel has been defined or not, the files are
sent over the network or can be read later by the V-Archive software.
Note that, without a Channel License for Apresa or PC, the V-Tap ISDN
PRI does not produce WAV files or store any data on the SD card.
The V-Tap ISDN PRI can operate completely stand-alone and when the
capacity of the SD card is big enough, it can store data for days or even
weeks.
Connection to the V-Tap PRI is made with a network cable or by using
Wi-Fi, when available. The web interface can be accessed by using a
normal browser. The LAN cable must be connected to the Ethernet port,
which is 100 Mbps Full Duplex.
The V-Tap ISDN PRI is a member of a family of compatible products that
can be used to create all sorts of recording solutions. There are V-Taps
for VoIP, Analog, Audio, Audio and ISDN telephony and there is a V-App
for mobile recording. All of these products will communicate with the
Apresa Corporate or Apresa Cloud-based recording solutions.
NOTE 1: The V-Tap ISDN PRI needs to be powered through USB with
500 mA and a FAT32 formatted SD card must be inserted.
NOTE 2: The V-Tap ISDN PRI needs at least one Recording Channel
License, else no calls are stored on the SD card.

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2Getting started
2.1 Hardware installation
The V-Tap ISDN PRI is easy to setup. The following steps are involved:
•The jumpers inside must be set to the right mode; default on Sniff.
•Connect the Trunk and PBX to the ISDN ports of the V-Tap.
•Insert an SD card (up to 32 GB, FAT32 formatted).
•Connect USB to the V-Tap for power (500 mA).
•Connect the local network.
•Access the settings in the web interface by using a browser.
The two possible modes of operation (Sniff or Pass-Through) must be set
with the internal jumpers and are described in 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 .
The two possible ways of connecting the V-Tap PRI physically to the E1
line (Parallel or In-Line) are shown in 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 .

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2.1.1 Sniff mode operation
The Sniff mode of operation is the default mode when the V-Tap PRI is
shipped. It means that the V-Tap is a listener to the ISDN line and the
transmitters on the jacks are disabled. A notification message or record-
on-demand is not possible in this mode.
In Sniff mode, the V-Tap PRI can be connected Parallel or In-Line.
There are 7 jumpers involved to set Sniff or Pass-Through mode. These
jumpers can be found on the board. After opening the case (press both
sides firmly), the jumpers must be placed as follows for Sniff mode:
2.1.2 Pass-Through mode operation
The Pass-Through mode of operation must be set first with the 7
jumpers on the board. The system automatically detects the jumper
settings after restart and will change the web interface with additional
parameters. Pass-Through mode enables the transmitters on the ISDN
jacks and extra features become available, such as the notification
message and record-on-demand with DTMF **.
In Pass-Through mode, the V-Tap PRI can only be connected as In-Line.
The 7 jumpers must be placed as follows for Pass-Through mode:

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2.1.3 Parallel connection
Connecting the V-Tap PRI parallel to the line has the advantage that the
ISDN line keeps on functioning when the V-Tap is disconnected. So, no
interruption of the line takes place when the V-Tap is removed.
Only one ISDN jack needs to be connected to the line. Using the IN- or
OUT-jack in this case, does not matter. This way of connecting is only
possible for Sniff mode.
Parallel connection must be made using a normal 3-way splitter (one-to-
one T-splitter):
2.1.4 In-Line connection
Connecting the V-Tap PRI as In-Line is an option for Sniff mode (listener)
but is mandatory when Pass-Through mode is selected with the jumpers.
The advantage of connecting In-Line is, that the V-Tap cannot be
removed without notice, because the ISDN line will be interrupted when
doing so. In-Line connection is shown below:

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2.2 Software installation
External software is needed to extract the recorded calls from the
Tunnel data that is produced by the V-Tap ISDN. Also, when the calls are
first stored on an SD card, external software is needed to interpret this
data from the card, especially when the data is encrypted.
The Tunnel data stream, coming directly from the V-Tap, can be sent to
the Call Recorder Apresa or the V-Archive software.
NOTE:
The V-Tap needs at least one Apresa or PC upload-channel license before
the Apresa or V-Archive software can record your calls.
2.2.1 Call Recorder Apresa
The Call Recorder Apresa is recorder software running on the Linux
Debian operating system. The Apresa can receive Tunnel data from the
V-Tap, convert this data into audio files and store these into its own
database.
The Apresa can receive multiple data streams from many V-Tap units
simultaneously. In that case the recordings of different locations are
centrally stored in one database.
To setup the Apresa to act as a Tunnel server for a V-Tap, go to
System settings, Network tab and enable “V-Tap” as is shown below:
NOTE1: Apresa’s IP address is the “Tunnel Server Address” in the V-Tap.
NOTE2: Be sure the Encryption password is the same as in the V-Tap unit.

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2.2.2 V-Archive software on a PC
The V-Archive software for the PC can, just as the Apresa, receive Tunnel
data from the V-Tap ISDN, convert this data into audio files and store
the files into its own database. The V-Archive software can also receive
multiple data streams from different V-Tap units simultaneously.
To setup the V-Archive software to accept connections from a V-Tap, go
to Options, Setup, Recording tab and enable as is shown below:
NOTE1: The PC’s IP address is the “Tunnel Server Address” in the V-Tap.
NOTE2: Be sure that the PC’s firewall is open for TCP port 2016, the
default “Tunnel Destination Port” in the V-Tap. During
installation, V-Archive tries to open port 2016 in Windows.
NOTE3: Be sure the Encryption password is the same as the
“Encryption Password” in the V-Tap.
NOTE4: The V-Archive software itself does not need licenses to receive
from the V-Tap. Licenses are inside the V-Tap.
The V-Archive software for the PC is further not described in this
manual; see for more details the V-Archive manual.

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2.3 Checklist for Tunnel connection
A connection between V-Tap and Apresa or PC software is needed to
get the recorded data automatically into a user accessible database.
The following checklist can be used to setup this Tunnel connection:
1) Install the Hardware.
2) Install Apresa or V-Archive PC Software and enable V-Tap connections.
3) Open the Settings page of the V-Tap in a browser, http://vtapXXXX.local
XXXX are the last 4 digits of the MAC address, found on the bottom.
It may take up to a minute after first connect, before this local name is known to the PC.
4) On that page, the IP address of the Apresa or the PC with V-Archive must be
entered as the “Tunnel Server Address”.
5) Any firewall must have a rule that makes it possible to receive from TCP port
2016, the default “Tunnel Destination Port”.
During installation of V-Archive this port is automatically opened, if permitted by the PC.
6) The Tunnel connection is stable when the GREEN LED is steady, not blinking!
The V-Tap must be shown with its MAC address in the status line of V-Archive.
7) For first tests, better turn off “Tunnel Data Encryption”. Otherwise, be sure
that the Encryption password is the same in both V-Tap and Apresa or PC.
8) When data is stored during a call, the BLUE LED blinks.
9) To see if the PC receives something from the V-Tap, it is possible to make a
network trace for test purposes. In V-Archive, go to menu Actions and select
‘Network trace’, press Start, make a short call, wait 10 seconds, press Stop and
then Save. From the zip file 'tunneltrace.pcap' can be analyzed with
Wireshark.
The Apresa recorder has a similar option to make a network trace in menu
Tools, System.
10) The SD card in the V-Tap should contain “.WAV” files. This SD card can be
read by the V-Archive software in menu File and ‘Import from V-Tap’.

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3Web interface and Settings
There are two ways to access the web interface of the V-Tap:
1) Connect a network cable to the LAN port on the unit. The other
side of the cable can be connected to a LAN or directly to a PC.
2) The built-in Wi-Fi module may not be enabled by default. To
enable temporary, power off and remove the SD card. Hold the
button pressed during power on and keep pressed for about 12
seconds until only the Blue LED is on. Release the button, then
Wi-Fi is available until the next reboot.
3.1 Access & IP address
In the case of using Wi-Fi, you need to enter the Wi-Fi access password
first, which is the 12 digits MAC address of the V-Tap, also found on the
bottom of the box. When connected (without internet), the IP address
192.168.55.66 must be entered in a browser. Remember to disabled
mobile data on your phone (!), else this IP address is not found.
In the case of using a cable, DHCP is enabled and the V-Tap can be
accessed with a browser by entering the address http://vtapXXXX.local
In which XXXX are the last 4 digits of the MAC, as found on the bottom:
For this V-Tap:
Default cable address: http://vtap019e.local
Default web Username: admin
Default web Password: admin
Default Wi-Fi Password: 00034901019E < capitals here!
Default Wi-Fi IP address: 192.168.55.66
If no DHCP server is available on the cable, it can be disabled temporary
by pressing the button for 1 second. The LED’s will flash shortly and the
V-Tap can be accessed on the IP address 192.168.55.66
See also Disable DHCP temporary and Show IP address.

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If still no access is possible, the easiest way to set a new fixed IP address
is to use an SD card:
Defining a fixed IP address with an SD card:
. Create the text file “IP” on your PC.
. The first line in this file must hold the IP address.
. The second line is optional and can hold the IP mask.
. Copy “IP.TXT” to the root directory of an SD card.
. Insert the SD card into the V-Tap unit.
. The IP address has now changed and can be accessed.
. The file “IP.TXT” is deleted from the card by the V-Tap.
. Note: The IP address 0.0.0.0 enables DHCP on the V-Tap.
3.2 Web interface
Entering the address in your browser will show the following screen:
Now enter “admin” for the Username and “admin” for the Password,
then press the Login button and the Settings page appears:
(The settings on the next page are not the default settings, but just an example.)

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Putting the mouse cursor on the ‘i’behind a setting, will show extra
information about that setting.
By pressing the Save & Logout button, the settings are sent to the V-Tap
unit. Any ongoing recording is stopped, the file on SD card is closed, and
after a few seconds the new settings are activated.

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3.3 Settings
The settings are divided into groups that are described in the following
paragraphs.
3.3.1 General Network settings
Name of this V-Tap
This field can be filled in with any name you like and is used for
remote recognition of the V-Tap unit. The name is shown in the web
interface and after connecting with ftp or telnet. The name is not
used in the Tunnel protocol. The maximum length is 30 characters.
The single and double quotation marks (‘ and “) cannot be used !
DHCP Server
Default, DHCP is enabled and the V-Tap can be accessed with a
browser by entering the address http://vtapXXXX.local
XXXX are the last 4 digits of the MAC address, found on the bottom.
When a DHCP server is available on the network, the IP address,
Subnet mask, Gateway address and DNS address are automatically
assigned. Without DHCP, they must all be entered manually.
With default settings, DHCP can be disabled temporary by pressing
the button for 1 second, see Disable DHCP temporary.
The DHCP setting is not used for Wi-Fi connections.
IP Address
As part of the local network, the V-Tap needs an IP address. In case
DHCP is used, the DHCP server will assign the V-Tap an IP address. In
case DHCP is not used, a static IP address must be filled in.
The default address is 192.168.55.66 , see also Access & IP Address.
Subnet Mask
The subnet mask is used for so called ‘subnetting’, a way to logically
divide one network into more networks. The logical AND of the IP
address with the mask must be the same for the V-Tap and the
computer connecting to it. The default mask is 255.255.255.0.
In case DHCP is used, the mask is automatically obtained.

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Gateway Address
The Gateway address is used by the V-Tap unit when access outside
the local network (LAN) is required. This sort of access can be needed
by the Tunnel protocol for streaming to a remote computer and/or
by the NTP feature for obtaining the current date and time.
In case DHCP is used, the gateway address is automatically obtained.
DNS Server Address
The Domain Name Service (DNS) is needed in case a name is entered
instead of an IP address for the Tunnel server and/or the NTP server.
The default DNS address 8.8.8.8 is the Google Public DNS, but the
Gateway must be defined also before this address is reachable.
In case DHCP is used, the DNS address is automatically obtained.

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3.3.2 Tunnel settings
Tunnel Server Address
Here you fill in the IP address or hostname of the Tunnel server that
is going to receive the recordings coming from the V-Tap ISDN.
Leaving this field empty will disable the Tunnel function all together,
in which case the V-Tap only stores recordings onto the SD card.
The receiving server can be an Apresa recorder or a PC running the
V-Archive software. In both cases, the V-Tap needs a license to allow
Tunnel data to be uploaded/streamed to the Tunnel server.
Without a license, the receiving server will discard the Tunnel data.
Tunnel Destination Port
The Tunnel protocol is based on the TCP protocol and that involves a
Destination Port and a Source Port. Both are numbers from 0 till
65535 that are included in each packet and are very important for
the receiving end of the Tunnel data. The receiving Tunnel server
must be setup to look for the same port number as is installed in this
Tunnel Destination Port.
Not all TCP port numbers are available for tunnelling, because some
are officially used by other protocols. For example, port 80 is used for
HTTP in all browsers to communicate over the World Wide Web. A
list of known port numbers can be found on the internet.
The default port number 2016 is not an official port and can be used
safely for this Tunnel protocol. The only drawback that comes by
using an unknown port is, that a firewall will block this port. For that
reason, it is important that any firewall that is passed by the Tunnel
stream must be setup right.
Firewalls must have a rule to let through TCP port 2016.

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Tunnel Data Encryption
The data inside the Tunnel protocol is sent encrypted over the
network. The used method is AES with a 256-bit Cryptographic Key.
For privacy reasons it is advised to leave the encryption enabled.
Encryption Password
This parameter is used for the encryption of the Tunnel data and the
file on SD card (see below). The receiving side of the Tunnel data, the
Apresa or V-Archive software, must use the same password. Leaving
the password empty is still doing the encryption but is less secure.
Comma’s and single and double quotation marks cannot be used !
3.3.3 Special Tunnel & Network settings
Next follows a description of some settings for the Tunnel and network,
which must be entered in Special Settings & Commands.
.TS<port> = Tunnel Source Port (default 0 = random)
The Source Port also has an important role in the Tunnel protocol.
The default number 0 selects randomly a port number between
49152 and 65535. This range of port numbers is recommended by
IANA to be used for dynamic ports.
Once a connection has been established between the V-Tap and the
receiving Tunnel server, the chosen port number is kept active for
the duration of the communication session. When connection is lost
for some reason, a new source port is chosen for the next
connection. This ensures fast reconnection, because the TCP protocol
does not allow the same source port to be used again within a short
time. After an OS specific timeout of normally a few minutes, the
port numbers become available again for reuse.
It is therefore not recommended to select a fixed number for the
Tunnel Source Port in cases where live streaming is done without
using an SD card.

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.TC<sec> = Tunnel Connect Timeout (default 22 seconds)
This timeout is used when the V-Tap ISDN tries to connect to the
Tunnel server. The default 22 seconds is enough to send 4 requests. If
no reply comes from the remote side within the timeout, the V-Tap
starts trying again after a few seconds with a new source port
number (see above). Storage onto SD card just continues and is not
interrupted by any connection or disconnection of the Tunnel.
.TI<sec> = Tunnel Idle Timeout (def 0 = always connected)
This timeout is used to disconnect the active tunnel connection, only
when no packets are received (sniffed) anymore from the local
connected network. Default, the idle timeout is disabled and the
tunnel stays connected forever.
.TK<sec> = Tunnel Keep-alive Timer (default 60 seconds)
This timer is used to keep the connection alive between the V-Tap
and the Tunnel server. Default, a dummy TCP packet is sent every 60
seconds by the V-Tap to the server.
.LX<size> = Maximum Data Size in packets (default 1024)
This sets the maximum length of the data portion inside all
communicated packets on the network for Tunnel, FTP and Web.
The length excludes the Ethernet, IP and TCP headers, which are 54
bytes together. The maximum length of any packet on the network
can be 1514 bytes, so that leaves max 1460 bytes for the data part.
The default length is based on optimal performance when sending
data from an SD card.
When sending directly on a WAN or very busy LAN, the length might
be decreased for better performance (try .LX512).
.LS<num> = LAN System Service Timer (default 18 = fastest)
The default value is for fastest network speed. When a lot of V-Tap
units are sending to the same Tunnel server, it might be better to
lower the speed to prevent an overload of streams.
The values 65 and 1 can be used for slow and slower sending.
The values 50 and 18 (same as 0) can be used for faster sending.
NOTE: When using the RTR Call Monitoring Software for the PC, the
LAN Service Timer must be set to 1 to get a constant audio stream.

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3.3.4 Wi-Fi settings
The Wi-Fi module in the V-Tap may not be enabled by default. To
enable temporary do the following:
Power off and remove the SD card. Hold the button pressed during
power on and keep pressed for about 12 seconds until only the Blue LED
is on. Release the button, then Wi-Fi is available until the next reboot.
Once Wi-Fi is enabled, you can use your mobile phone or a laptop to
connect to the V-Tap over the air to access the settings:
•Search for Wi-Fi apparatus on your smartphone or laptop, the V-Tap
name “V-Tap_PRI_xxxxxx” is then shown.
•Select it and when asked for a password, use the 12 digits MAC
address of the unit, found on the bottom of the box. The first 6
digits of the MAC are always 000349 and the last 6 digits are also
part of the Wi-Fi name.
•Disable mobile data on your phone (!), open a browser and enter the
IP address 192.168.55.66. The web login page should appear. Login
with username “admin”and password “admin”.
The internal Wi-Fi works as an Access Point (AP) for web access and, at
the same time, can act as a station to connect to an external AP for the
tunnel function. DHCP is always enabled for Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi Access Point
This enables or disables the web access using Wi-Fi permanently. The
temporary access with the button is always available. The password
to connect with Wi-Fi can be changed in the Login Password field.
Wi-Fi Tunnel AP Name
Wi-Fi Tunnel AP Password
To setup a tunnel connection over Wi-Fi, the V-Tap must connect to
an external AP. In most of the cases this will be a router somewhere
in the building. The AP’s name and password must be filled in here.
The Wi-Fi module can be disabled completely by turning the Wi-Fi Access
Point option off in the settings AND the Tunnel AP fields must be left
empty. All further access must then be done through a LAN cable.
Sending tunnel data with Wi-Fi is slower than using a LAN cable. So,
some delay must be considered before files are transferred.

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3.3.5 Login settings for Web access & FTP
The internal web server can be accessed by entering the address of the
V-Tap in the address bar of any browser. See also Access & IP Address.
The V-Tap also has a built-in FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server that
allows you to access the internal filing system. At this moment, this is
only used for updating the firmware remotely; see Firmware update.
FTP is disabled by entering “.FP0”in Special Settings & Commands.
Login Username
Username to log in to the Web settings page and FTP.
The username field can be maximum 30 characters long.
Spaces, commas, the single and double quotation marks (‘ and “),
and the back- and forward-slashes (\ and /) cannot be used !
The default username is “admin”.
Login Password
Password to log in to the Web settings page and FTP and Telnet.
The total password field can be maximum 30 characters long.
Spaces, commas, the single and double quotation marks (‘ and “),
and the back- and forward-slashes (\ and /) cannot be used as the
password ! The default password is “admin”.
The option /W<xxxxxxxx> can be added to set the Wi-Fi password.
This Wi-Fi password must be minimal 8 characters long.