SKYPE

[Eugenef]

Hi guys. I seem to be having a problem with skype - everytime I log into it, my internet connection slows DRAMATICALLY. I have a 4mb line - so is there a setting(s) that I can change? Port or whatever?

 

[Tassidar]

If you do choose to use Skype, make sure that you keep an eye on the performance of your computer and your internet connection. I have just heard again from someone who noticed that whenever he had Skype running on his (very powerful) system, the CPU load and the internet bandwidth use went up dramatically. Massively. He did a lot of research to determine why, and everything led clearly and without doubt back to Skype. It would appear that Skype decides to use his computer as a "Super Node" in their P2P network, of course without asking permission or informing him of that decision. But what does that actually mean, and what is Skype actually doing when it takes control of a computer in that way? No one knows. The bottom line is, if you have Skype running, be very alert for changes in the system performance, and keep eye on your internet use. If you have a router with activity LEDs on it, position it so that it will catch your eye if they start to blink madly, especially when you are not otherwise doing anything of significance on the internet.

http://community.zdnet.co.uk/blog/0,1000000567,10014429o-2000498448b,00.htm

 

[Tassidar]

Skype maintains its registration servers but doesn't maintain any packet servers that it can use to collect and distribute user VOIP packets. Skype converts some users computers, unknown to them, into proxy servers by establishing what it calls "SuperNodes" on certain users. Those users agree to allow this to happen on their computers because they clicked through the user agreement, even though most do not read it and would not understand it if they did read it.

A computer selected to launch a SuperNode is usually one with a fast CPU, several GB of RAM AND a cable Internet connection. When my PC was selected as a SuperNode it took up to 340Kb/s of my bandwidth! It was a noticeable slowdown, sometimes causing the mouse to hesitate during startups of certain other applications. Also, when the SuperNode was running and I was connected to someone with Skype, the video began to lag to audio by up to 20 seconds or more!

On Linux the SuperNode isn't listed among the running services. The only way to kill it is to make sure Skype is not idling in the system tray and then rebooting. Windows users are given an option to prevent a SuperNode from being created by editing the Register and turning off a flag. More recent versions may include a check box in the setup dialog, but I don't run Windows so I don't know for sure. Linux users, on the other hand, are NOT given such an option. I avoid the SuperNode by firing up Skype only when I want to use it, and killing the system tray icon when I am finish.

http://www.linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2009-08-01-002-35-OP-CY-SW-0000

Hope this info helps somewhat.

 

[Jola]

Hmmm, not sure that I like that !

It's OK when you are in a country with really fast internet and no caps, but not here !

 

[ColinR]

SIP ftw

 

[waynegohl]

i have also mentioned before that my internet connection is sooo slow when my wife is talking to our daughter in the USA and its only been like that since the middle/end of last year.

 

[gregmcc]

...which is why I don't use skype!

 

[Globetrotter]

Hi guys. I seem to be having a problem with skype - everytime I log into it, my internet connection slows DRAMATICALLY. I have a 4mb line - so is there a setting(s) that I can change? Port or whatever?

It's possible your computer is being used as a SuperNode by Skype. Removing Skype from the Windows startup (if enabled), using a NAT router or not leaving Skype on for days unattended are ways of preventing Skype to detect your computer for usage as a SuperNode.

However, a proper solution to prevent Skype from using your computer as a SuperNode, is to make the following registry changes:

i.e. add

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Skype]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Skype\Phone]
"DisableSupernode"=dword:00000001

to your registry and reboot.

For further details, see "Disable Supernode" section on
https://www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/twiki/view/CF/SkypeConfiguration

 

[Eugenef]

It's possible your computer is being used as a SuperNode by Skype. Removing Skype from the Windows startup (if enabled), using a NAT router or not leaving Skype on for days unattended are ways of preventing Skype to detect your computer for usage as a SuperNode.

However, a proper solution to prevent Skype from using your computer as a SuperNode, is to make the following registry changes:

Hi GlobeTrotter

Thanx very much for this. However, the registry entries are not there - I am running Windows 7. I am trying to find Skype Policies - but can't seem to.

Do you know where I can possibly look?

 

[DJNgoma]

Hi GlobeTrotter

Thanx very much for this. However, the registry entries are not there - I am running Windows 7. I am trying to find Skype Policies - but can't seem to.

Do you know where I can possibly look?

Have you tried just making the *.reg file and letting it insert the entries? Report back if it doesn't work.

 

[Globetrotter]

Thanx very much for this. However, the registry entries are not there - I am running Windows 7. I am trying to find Skype Policies - but can't seem to.

Do you know where I can possibly look?

You won't find the Skype policies entries in your registry because they don't exist yet. You have to ADD them to your current registry. If you don't want to, or don't know how to add the mentioned entries manually to your registry, then download the NoSuperNode.reg file to your computer, and run it. The file contains the necessary entries and it will merge it (add it) to your current registry. Then reboot the computer.

Remember, if you make changes to your registry you're doing it at your own risk. Make a backup of your registry before you make changes.

 

[Eugenef]

Globetrotter - Thank you SO MUCH - this sorted the problem out straight away. Many thanks mate!

 

[Globetrotter]

Globetrotter - Thank you SO MUCH - this sorted the problem out straight away. Many thanks mate!

No problem.