Skype on Sheevaplug?

[apemberton]

I have Freeswitch PBX software running on a Sheevaplug which works into SIP service providers. However I would like to be able to add a 'trunk' to Skype. With Freeswitch, it is possible to add a module called Skypopen which interfaces analogue style to a Skype system. However, it seems that Skype is a closed protocol and does not have any Linux capability other than for PC architecture. Skype Linux software is not released as Open Source so recompilation is not an option.

What I was looking for is the possibility of running Skype as a separate process in armel Debian on a sheevaplug rather than an entirely different PC based machine. I don't think it is possible but I would be interested in hearing any thoughts, success stories, API's, Agony Aunt stories?

[NewIT_James]

Found this in Ubuntu Maverick Multiverse Armel Repo.

python-skype

Skype API wrapper for Python

Skype4Py is a high-level, platform independent Skype API wrapper for
Python with API similar to Skype4COM.  This package allows the development
of applications written in Python that can interface with the popular
voice-over-IP Skype program.

NewITJames

[apemberton]

The Python API wrapper is also available from the Debian repository. Because it is Python, it is available for all archtectures. However this would still require an underlying Skype engine running to interface with the Skype network.

Unfortunately the engine is only available for Intel/AMD 32 and 64 bit archtectures. There are no precompiled application/libraries for the ARM (or other) architectures. This is not too suprising as there are a multplicity of processor types and since the proprietary source code is deliberately unavailable, Skype appear to be unwilling to support precompiled libraries probably because of the support issues that would arise. It seems that Skype probably want to keep the underlying protocol under wraps as it seems it would be possible for 'hackers' to build code that would allow free (as opposed to toll) calls through the PSTN network, plus the ability for 'marketeers' to make free spam phone calls at will - a scourge we are all familiar with I'm sure.

I think I mentioned it before but I had a Belkin WiFi phone (well I still have it but the Li-po battery bulged, failed and broke the case) and was a bit concerned about the internet traffic linking with many other Skype nodes (on port 11400) that I had no idea where or who they were.

This latter has got me thinking whether I can run Wireshark on my Gui Guruplug routers? Hmmm.......

[Confusticated]

Hi apemberton,

Simultaneous live VNC GUI and network capture on a plug ? You optimist
One option may be to pcap filter (say by port) on your plug piping over the network to wireshark on your workstation.
Not tried to hook wireshark into the other end of a pipe myself, please post your findings if you attempt it.

[apemberton]

Wireshark plus GUI (tightvncserver) on a 'plug? Wireshark is in the debian for armel repositories.

Well yes. I have actually tried it on one of my guruplugs to 'analyse' one of the ethernet ports. It Works!!!!  No indication of dropped packets. I havn't done anything serious with it at the mo but I suspect adding a filter will put a considerable load and I have yet to try it. However, it will help looking at suspect traffic or routing.

Doesn't help with Skype though, sigh!