Skype Traffic - National / International

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MobileAllOver

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My setup: MikroTik router with 2x ADSL dialout connections ; national & international.

When using Skype to phone other users (also on ADSL in South Africa), it uses my International connection... I have checked with them - their IP range is configured in my local route address list...

Any idea to make sure that local traffic (Skype included) stays local? I think it uses some kind of proxy on the web, - not sure where to check this.
 
Any idea to make sure that local traffic (Skype included) stays local? I think it uses some kind of proxy on the web, - not sure where to check this.
Click to expand...

Skype basics are:
Will attempt a direct p2p connection between both calling parties(nodes). If both nodes are behind a nat firewall ie cannot accept an incoming connection, then the call will be routed through a "supernode". A supernode is ANY computer running skype which is not firewalled and has a routable address and sufficient bandwidth.

Here B is not firewalled A makes a direct p2p call.
A->------>------>-----B

Here B is firewall A makes an outgoing connection to C. B also makes an outgoing connection to C. Now A and B can connects through C.

A-->-->--C--<---<--B

So what is happening when you are making a call is that your supernode is international, effectively making your local skype call international, adding latency etc etc.

If you want too forward your skype port you will find it under Skype tools, options connection. Also while you are their go tools options advanced and right at the bottom can check show technical information. Then when you are in a call hover your mouse over the face picture and the information about the current call will display. 4th from the bottom is relays. If that reads 0 you are in a p2p call. 1 or more means routing through 1 or more supernodes.

One word of warning, if you forward your skype ports you may become a supernode and hence use up bandwidth. I have never noticed it happen to me but it is possible. On way to prevent this is to limit skypes bandwidth with an app like netlimiter when not in a call. If you clamp it down to like 1KB/s then Skype will still be able to log on accept calls etc but wont relay. Just remember to release it when you want to make / rercieve a call.
 
Daveogg said:
Skype basics are:
Will attempt a direct p2p connection between both calling parties(nodes). If both nodes are behind a nat firewall ie cannot accept an incoming connection, then the call will be routed through a "supernode". A supernode is ANY computer running skype which is not firewalled and has a routable address and sufficient bandwidth.

Here B is not firewalled A makes a direct p2p call.
A->------>------>-----B

Here B is firewall A makes an outgoing connection to C. B also makes an outgoing connection to C. Now A and B can connects through C.

A-->-->--C--<---<--B

So what is happening when you are making a call is that your supernode is international, effectively making your local skype call international, adding latency etc etc.

If you want too forward your skype port you will find it under Skype tools, options connection. Also while you are their go tools options advanced and right at the bottom can check show technical information. Then when you are in a call hover your mouse over the face picture and the information about the current call will display. 4th from the bottom is relays. If that reads 0 you are in a p2p call. 1 or more means routing through 1 or more supernodes.

One word of warning, if you forward your skype ports you may become a supernode and hence use up bandwidth. I have never noticed it happen to me but it is possible. On way to prevent this is to limit skypes bandwidth with an app like netlimiter when not in a call. If you clamp it down to like 1KB/s then Skype will still be able to log on accept calls etc but wont relay. Just remember to release it when you want to make / rercieve a call.
Click to expand...


Very interesting - thanks for this.

So the short of it, is that you can make Skype calls that don't use international bandwidth?

How about Skype calls that don't use any bandwidth (except for initial login) and the call is routed within a LAN - is that possible?
 
nic777 said:
Very interesting - thanks for this.

So the short of it, is that you can make Skype calls that don't use international bandwidth?

How about Skype calls that don't use any bandwidth (except for initial login) and the call is routed within a LAN - is that possible?
Click to expand...

Yes and yes.

Here is a call to skype test call using saix shaped bandwidth.

http://img463.imageshack.us/my.php?image=skypetest2rt.jpg

Here is a local call p2p (note relays = 0 Roundtrip time 47ms)

http://img480.imageshack.us/my.php?image=skypemom5mb.jpg

And lastly a call on my Lan.

http://img69.imageshack.us/my.php?image=skypelan5qe.jpg
 
Any other software I can use to emulate a SuperNode on my network? I would like to route all traffic on my network via this 'proxy' without the need to enable various supernodes on my network.

Im not really concerned about national / international traffic, but would like to keep traffic on my local (routed) network local.
 
DaveOgg - Im using Skype 2.0.9.0 but cannot get hold of the status screen - hidden feature?? I did check your images and would like to start test with my routers, but cannot even start...
 
For a direct P2P connection, which ports should be openend on my firewall? At this stage I block all traffic - Skype Calls go through SuperNode via Internet...
 
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