The Ping Test

Ping is the most basic test to determine if a network address is reachable. Suppose that you wish to enter a room whose login page is at http://RoomName.ivocalize.net/ -- Test that this address is reachable as follows:

• Open a command window: Start->Run, cmd.exe
• Type the command ping RoomName.ivocalize.net
• Note that you receive a Reply from the server

If you receive a reply from the server, proceed to the telnet test below.

If no reply is received, or you see Request timed out, then network problems are preventing you from reaching the server. Contact your ISP or network administrator to determine if a firewall is blocking your access.

The Telnet Test

Once it is established that a server is pingable from your location, Telnet is next test to determine if you are able to connect directly to the server.

The iVocalize client application creates a TCP connection to the server over port 5049, and telnet can be used to mimic that connection, as shown here with the command:
telnet RoomName.ivocalize.net 5049

Once the telnet command has been entered, the text
Connecting To RoomName.ivocalize.net... appears very briefly while the connection is attempted.

When the connection succeeds, the command window will go blank. You can then return to the command prompt by pressing Ctrl+C. A successful connection using Telnet means that your computer can connect Directly to the iVocalize server (no proxy server required) and that no firewall is blocking your access. See the section on proxy servers to make sure that you are not configured with a proxy server.

If the connection test fails, you will continue to see the Connecting... message until telnet times out and displays a Connect failed error message. Proceed to the section on Firewalls.

Proxy Servers

A proxy server is a middle-man between your computer and the internet. They are used by some institutions for security and monitoring purposes. Certain ISPs and so-called "download accelerator" products also (gratuitously) configure your computer with proxy servers.

iVocalize retrieves the proxy settings configured for Java and uses these settings to attempt connection to the server.

If the telnet test was successful, then your computer can connect directly to the iVocalize server, and iVocalize will not need to use a proxy server. In this case you may configure the Java control panel so that Java uses a direct connection for all network communications.

Note that even if a proxy is configured, iVocalize will still attempt a direct connection in additon to attempting connection through the proxy. Therefore, the presence of a proxy is not necessarily a problem.

Firewalls

A firewall is an Internet security product that restricts which applications have access to the network. This section will discuss firewalls in general, not any product in particular. For product specific help with firewalls, please contact the product vendor or your network administrator. Some firewalls are quite complex, and we recommend consulting a qualified professional prior to making changes and/or disabling a firewall. iVocalize assumes no liability for any problems resulting from firewall [mis]configuration.

In order to determine if your firewall is, in fact, blocking access to the network, you can try to briefly turn it off, then attempt the telnet test and/or attempt to log in using iVocalize. After the completion of your test, please turn your firewall back on. If it can be proven that the firewall is the problem, then work with the product vendor to obtain instructions to properly configure it to allow network access to iVocalize.

Many firewalls prompt the user go grant network permission the first time that an application is run. If permission was not granted the first time, or if the firewall must be configured specifically for an application, then configure your firewall to allow the iVocalize executable to access the network on port 5049. The path to the "iVocalize" application is the path to your Java installation.

Though not technically firewalls, many add-on products such as download managers, download accelerators, browser add-ins, etc. can cause various problems. As a troubleshooting step, try uninstalling any nonessential software that modifies how your computer accesses the network.