Missing updates.

Hmm, it's been a while since I've updated. No excuse, just been lazy.

The SIP Server project is back in redesign. I need to come up with a framework that integrates timers, lots and lots of timers....

Well, timers and threads. The early version that I wrote works good as a proof of concept. I can successfully register SIP phones from multiple vendors, and make good test calls. The problem is, I didn't have a good basic framework in place that allowed me to expand upon. I kind of wrote and tested as I went.

So, back to the drawing board...

My bad.

No updates since January? Oops.

The SIP project is a somewhat secondary concern at the moment, so it's been pushed aside for a while.

I restarted my attempts at obtaining a CCNP certification, so that's going to be the priority for now.

My goal is to pass the route test by the end of March, the Switch test some time in June, and TShoot by the end of the summer.

We'll see. Long term goal? CCIE.

Still here, still koding.

Been a little busy to update lately, but I'm still here. My SIP project is progressing nicely. I can register multiple phones, make calls, and manipulate the digits being sent. So far so good. The next step is to process the audio portion of the calls directly, instead of pass through the way it is now.

I'll start posting some sample code over the next couple of weeks, I'm thinking the code will be GPL, but I've got a bit of research to do before I make that decision.

Here again.

The SIP project is progressing nicely. My sample programs (just complete enough to evaluate a portion of the total project) are working good. I've registered SIP phones to the server, and made local and International phone calls through it.

All good so far. The next step is to build a new framework to tie it all together. It's got to be able to register multiple phones and have some type of 'on-the-fly' configuration editing. Also, the current call application only passes the RTP (audio) messaging through, it doesn't have any audio capabilities of it's own. I figure my first step would be to have a specific number you could call (say, 1234) and the server will play back an existing audio recording (wav file).

I've experimented in using wav files in other projects, so opening a file, and breaking it into specific duration chunks shouldn't be a problem. It's wrapping the audio data in a properly formed RTP packet that will be the trick. I think once I capture a live RTP stream and analyze (reverse engineer) the messaging, I should be able to figure it out.

I think the trick with this project is to make a list of steps, or goals, that I want to accomplish and in what order. That way I don't keep running off in different directions with new ideas. Something to keep me focused and on track.

The original idea for this project was to be a test bed for SIP applications, from a Telco carrier standpoint. But the more I experiment with this, the more excited I get, there are a lot of possibilities for a program like this where I have complete control over the source (as it's all written from scratch, no dependencies on outside 3rd party libraries.) It's this last part that I'm finding amazing, how simple it is to manipulate SIP messaging, without some elaborate class(es) to do the work for you. The key was once I finally got it through my head that SIP messaging rides UDP, and what you see with an analyzer, is the actual plain English messaging. At this point, it's a simple matter to do String manipulation to edit/create the expected messages.

I'm kicking around the idea of starting a project on Source Forge for this. I think that if I do, I'll wait till I have an alpha version of the program ready for use. We'll see.

Oh, and the new C.A.T. is working out great.

Web security.

Ouch, what a costly (in terms of time) mistake I made. I was web surfing and picked up a trojan. I should have known better when windows UAC popped up and asked permission to run "disk drive operation" a couple of times, then "Disk Defragmenter" I clicked cancel on all but the last. I know better, windows doesn't ask permission to run a scheduled disk defrag, and I don't have it scheduled to run on a Sunday morning.

I lucked out and was able to find the currupted exe, so by doing the good old 'end process' from task manager and quickly deleting the file I kept it from run initializing itself. A few trusted malware utility scans later, I'm back in business. What a pain.

I'm getting ready to do a complete wipe on this computer anyway, but I didn't want my back ups that I'm going to run first to be corrupted before I even start.

Malwarebytes was a good place to start, I may purchase the software, but they do have a good free version that is fully functional.

Change of subject...

Wow, so my son wants a membership to Call Of Duty Elite. No problem, we buy him the pre-paid card at Best Buy.

We get the card home, scratch off the lottery ticket flaky gray stuff, and reveal the magic numbers. I redeem the code, and it gives you 4000 points. No problem, that's the exact amount needed to purchase the membership.

Oh, wait. If you have the Family Gold Membership package, which we do, ONLY THE PRIMARY ACCOUNT CAN ACCESS THE ELITE MEMBERSHIP. Wait, what?

I don't play Call Of Duty, my son does. Quick search of the Internet reveals MANY MANY forum posts of people having the same problem.

Here's the sad thing. The largest software company in the world came up with a 'work around.' Are you ready? Why, remove my sons account from the family plan, purchase an additional gold membership for my son, active the elite membership, then re-add my son to the family plan. This from "The Largest Software Company In The World."

So, spending the $50 to buy the Elite membership requires a $10 Gold Membership, even though you already have a pre-paid yearly membership. Hmmm, haven't companies been sued of this kind of crap?

Still haven't charged that stinking camera battery!

I'll got on that one, right away!!

My boss pulled me in the office today to tell me that I was just approved for a promotion. I'm now head janitor!!!! Er wait, "Network Field Engineer II". Or one of those, I get them confused.

What this means is, well, I guess it means that I do the same job I do now. But I have a II after my title. That's better then a I right? Or is I better then II? It's all so confusing.

I've got a new 'work' project I started today. It's kind of nice when you make a proposal to the boss, and he okay's the hardware acquisition without batting an eye. Of course, it helps when the hardware comes out of someone else's budget.

More details on the new project later.