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Remote usage howto, please ?

Started by vtsnaab, September 20, 2011, 01:59:58 PM

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vtsnaab

Please be gentle with me as I am actually uncertain of the correct way to ask my question(s) here !!!?

I've been a skype user for a while and now that I have an OBi110 that will become history very soon.
The ONLY thing I would like to be able to do with my OBi110 (which skype does) is to somehow use it as a gateway for my number, remotely.

What I refer to is that my OBi110 is in place and working beautifully at home - but I also have a small office of my own in another town and wonder if it's services may be used from there somehow ?

Is there any simple/clear howto or write-up which explains how to use an OBi110 remotely via internet ?

Thanks for any pointers.

RonR

From a PC, a smart phone, or another OBi, you can access your home-based OBi from anywhere via the Internet:

http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1103.0

vtsnaab

Thanks, and:
Quote from: RonR on September 20, 2011, 02:18:27 PM
From a PC, a smart phone, or another OBi, you can access your home-based OBi from anywhere via the Internet:
http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1103.0

I do have a PC in my office, but no smartphone and don't want to buy a 2nd OBi box...now if only I can decipher how to use what you've posted & combine it with the s/w, then MAYBE it could happen ?!
('Tis a bit complicated-seeming for the newbie/end-user...even looks a bit intimidating.)

JeffM

I believe you could use the Obiapp s/w along with a sip softphone such as X-Lite on your PC to connect to your Obi at home. 

http://www.obihai.com/obiapps.html


vtsnaab

Thanks JeffM:
Quote from: JeffM on September 20, 2011, 04:13:33 PM
I believe you could use the Obiapp s/w along with a sip softphone such as X-Lite on your PC to connect to your Obi at home. 
http://www.obihai.com/obiapps.html

I've also seen mention of folks using the free services from PBXes.org (.com ?), but I've no idea of how that may be done & it looks quite complicated.

RonR

Quote from: vtsnaab on September 20, 2011, 03:19:04 PM
now if only I can decipher how to use what you've posted & combine it with the s/w, then MAYBE it could happen ?!
('Tis a bit complicated-seeming for the newbie/end-user...even looks a bit intimidating.)

If you only need to make calls through the PrimaryLine of the OBi from a remote location, the OBiTALK Web Portal is capable of generating such a configuration.

vtsnaab

Ummmm....thanks:
Quote from: RonR on September 20, 2011, 04:26:30 PM
Quote from: vtsnaab on September 20, 2011, 03:19:04 PM
now if only I can decipher how to use what you've posted & combine it with the s/w, then MAYBE it could happen ?!
('Tis a bit complicated-seeming for the newbie/end-user...even looks a bit intimidating.)
If you only need to make calls through the PrimaryLine of the OBi from a remote location, the OBiTALK Web Portal is capable of generating such a configuration.

I see, and I am delighted that this CAN be done as well.
Sadly, this info alone leaves me no better off than I was before I read it.
Please RonR, some actual - usable directions, or a pointer to such directions which a newbie can EASILY follow ?!
No disrespect is meant here; simply that telling someone they CAN do a thing vs. how to do it are very different approaches - and my query clearly says:
QuoteIs there any simple/clear howto or write-up which explains how to use an OBi110 remotely via internet ?

RonR

Quote from: vtsnaab on September 20, 2011, 04:39:06 PM
Please RonR, some actual - usable directions, or a pointer to such directions which a newbie can EASILY follow ?!
No disrespect is meant here; simply that telling someone they CAN do a thing vs. how to do it are very different approaches - and my query clearly says:

I can't help you with the OBiTALK Web Portal as I don't use it and feel that that it's more complicated than configuring the OBi directly.  If you'd like instructions for configuring the OBi, manually, I'd be happy to help.

QBZappy

#8
vtsnaab,

Remote usage setup with one Obi (110/100) + OBiAPP

1) Install your OBiAPP on your office computer. See this for instructions: http://www.obihai.com/images/OBiAPPsetup.png

2) Install a free SIP softphone X-Lite 3 or X-Lite 4 and configure it as per these instructions (Any sip softphone will do):
http://www.obihai.com/images/OBiAPPXL3.png (Install instructions for X-Lite 3)
http://www.obihai.com/images/OBiAPPXL4.png (Install instructions for X-Lite 4)

Download site for X-Lite 4 http://www.counterpath.com/x-lite.html . X-Lite 3 product doesn't seem to be on Counterpath's web site anymore. You can get it somewhere else if you Google it.

3) Go to "OBi Dashboard". If you are logged in you should see in the "My OBi Endpoints" an icon representing a headset. Look at the "My OBi Endpoints" and click on the Headphone icon/name or "OBi No.". Once everything is configured properly the OBiAPP Status on this web page should show green. After you click on it, this brings you to "Device Configuration" web page. There is an "OBi Voice Gateway" pick list. If you only have one OBi you will see your OBi listed as the call gateway. This simplifies the setup for owners of just one OBi unit. Since you seem to own only one OBi that will be the default gateway for you. For people who have multiple OBis, you should see all the OBis which were registered on that account. You could then pick any other OBI to be your gateway. The OBi portal limits you to only one OBi gateway it seems. RonR's method overcomes that limitation with a little more effort.


In my case I have access to three OBis scattered all over the place. I can change the OBiAPP gateway directly from the web portal without having to change "Auto Provisioning" setting of the OBI.  I can continue to configure the OBi directly on the unit and configure the OBiAPP gateway via the web portal. The "OBi Expert Configuration Menu" does not come into play.

4) Make sure the OBiAPP and the SIP phone are both open. Finally make your call using the SIP softphone from your office (or any other place).  Call should be going out via internet to the OBi located in the house. That OBi will then place the call for you using the service you selected as the "Phone PrimaryLine"



Additional:

Auto Provisioning
You should setup your OBi using either the OBi web unit or the "OBi Expert Configuration Menu". You must pick one method to configure the OBi. Have a look here for the reasons why ( http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=61.0 ). Generally far away OBis might benefit from the OBI Expert Configuration method using the OBi web portal. If you have direct access to the unit it might be easier to configure it on the unit itself. Pick your method and apply it by configuring the following setting :

System Management->Auto Provisioning->Auto Provisioning->Method = (Disabled/System Start/Periodically)

Phone PrimaryLine
Setting to tell the OBi which service to use when making a call:

Setup Wizard->Outbound Settings->Phone PrimaryLine = to whatever setting you decide to use (PSTN Line/SP1 or SP2 Service/Trunk Group1)
Owner of the 1st OBi110/100 units in service in Canada & South America. 1st OBi202 on my street. 1st OBi1032 in Montreal.

vtsnaab

Excellent, wonderful, very clear how-to that even someone as new to this as I am can follow !!!

Thank You Very Much QBZappy !!!!