In order to initiate a successful web phone call, two conditions must be met: you must have the Internet (IP) address of your correspondent, and he must currently be online with the same web phone program running. There are inherent difficulties related to each of these requirements.First, unlike phone numbers (which don't tend to change), Internet addresses for most users (with dial-up modem connection) are assigned each time user connects to the Internet. Second, unless your correspondent tells you in advance there is no way to know that your correspondent is online.
A standards based protocol called the User Location Service (ULS) has provided a solution to these two issues and makes web phone conversations exceedingly simple. When a user comes online, he connects to the ULS server, the server adds user information into its online user directory, and at same time user downloads whole online user directory from the server, user can find out who is online. To contact a particular person, simply click on the person's name and a call is placed to the remote user.
Besides helping users to make web phone calls, User Location Service provides another important feature: Instant Messaging. Online users can use ULS server to exchange text base messages in real time.
Freewebfone User Location Server is a text-based, client-server system that uses TCP/IP to pass data between server and clients. It provides two above mentioned functions:
Freewebfone User Location Server is designed for small ISP and online services companies to provide their client with popular online features such as Instant Messaging, Chat, web phone, and video & voice mail.
- User Location Service (ULS): Users can connect to the ULS server and download whole online user directory from the server, a web phone call can be placed seamlessly.
- Instant Messaging (IM) Service: Provide online users with popular IM services such as Instant Alert (when a friend comes online or disconnects), Instant Message, and Chat (including Group Chat). The service is very easy to use, and no registration is required. Users are only required to set up their Buddy List properly to use the service.
This document provides information about installation of Freewebfone User Location Server version 2.0.
Freewebfone User Location Server is recommended to run on Linux, although a Windows version is available. Hardware requirements for installation are minimal: the server has been installed and run on early Pentiums. A typical install for small website might be a Pentium workstation with 128M of RAM running Linux.
A demo version is available for free download at: http://www.freewebfone.com/demoULS.tar.gz/
It supports maximum 3 simultaneous users and works for 20 minutes.
The installation process is very simple, just unpack the package and run the server as a background job:
For Linux version, a free GTK based utility called moniULS can be used to monitor the on line activities. It can display detailed online user information, as well as statistic information such as total online users, user login and logout time, etc.
- tar zxvf demoULS.tar.gz
- ulserver &
$99 USD for 32 users version (Max simultaneous users).
$299 USD for 256 users version.
If you need help with installation and use of ULS server, or you find bugs, please send an email with detailed information about your platform and the behavior of the server to support@freewebfone.com.