Ethereal-dev: Re: [Ethereal-dev] Transform "H323 Conversations" to a more generic "VoIP Conves

Note: This archive is from the project's previous web site, ethereal.com. This list is no longer active.

From: Ulf Lamping <ulf.lamping@xxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 23 Oct 2004 11:11:16 +0200
Alejandro Vaquero wrote:

Hi Miha and All,

I think the �H323 Conversation� is a really nice tool and soon probably be new protocols added to have the same functionality (like SIP and MGCP). To this mind, I think we should create a more generic �Voip conversation�.

My idea is to have something similar than the �H323 Voip Conversation� window but called something like �Voip conversations�. Here we will have all the Voip calls together (H323, SIP, MGCP, etc..). In this window each call will have:

�Protocol�: H323, SIP, MGCP, etc...

�IP:port A�

�IP:port B�

�Calling ID�: this could be the number in H323/SIP/MGCP. Some protocols don�t always have this info, for example in MGCP we could put the EndpointID and in SIP the sip URI.

�Called ID�

�Status�

�Comments�: here put some protocol specific comments like �Faststart�, �H225 pkts� and �H245 pkts� on H323 calls

In this window will have a bottom similar than �Analyze� renamed something like �Add to Analyze�. When clicked, this call will be added to the �Voip Analysis� windows (similar than the �H323 Voip Analysis� window). This will allow the user to add multiple calls to analysis. For example if it is a call that started as H323 and then it is SIP, you can add this �two� calls to analyze to have the whole picture.

Each call in the �Voip analysis� window will have a different background color to be easily identified. This window will have the following columns:

�Packet�

�Time�

�Delay�

� IP:port A� (we have to add this since multiple call can be added)

�Side A� (the protocol dependent message type like �H225 SETUP�, �H225 ALERTING�, �INVITE�, �CRCX� etc�.)

�Direction�

�Side B�

�IP:port B�

�Comments�

Let me know your thought. If you agree I can start working on this.

Yes, I do think that the H323 Vonversation *is* a very helpful tool (although I don't use any VoIP, so it won't be helpful for me personally, but I think of this as a good "proof of concept").

I would like to have something not only for the VoIP conversations. The same mechanism would be helpful for a lot of other protocols as well.

So before start a special implementation for each and every protocol seperately, we might find a general way to create such a thing.

And I do think, that this would be possible to some extend. However, this will be a bit more work for the first time implementation.

I could help you with the GUI parts of that, but my knowledge on the current conversation stuff is limited.

Regards, ULFL