Configure Skype
From ServersCheck Wiki
With the introduction of release 7.11.0 of the ServersCheck Monitoring Software it is now possible to generate voice phone alerts using SkypeOut.
Skype Requirements & Installation
You need to have Skype installed on the host running the ServersCheck Monitoring Software. Skype 3.8 or higher is required. You can download it from here: http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windows/
Once Skype is installed, you need to create a Skype account for the alerting purposes. This Skype account will be used when it runs a service (see later in this document).
Make sure to have SkypeOut credits available so that you can generate can call land line phones using Skype.
Testing Skype with the ServersCheck Voice Alerts tool (voicemodem_tester.exe)
First make sure that Skype is running and that you are still logged on using the same Windows account as under which the ServersCheck Monitoring service runs. Ensure that you have SkypeOut credits. You can also do Skype to Skype calls. Simply replace the phone number with the Skype ID.
In the add-ons subdirectory you will find a file called "voicemodem_tester.exe". Double click on it. When launching it may warn you that no voice modem has been found. This means that you can not use a voice modem to generate alerts, just SkypeOut.
In the Calling Method tab, select Skype.
Click now on the Make a test call tab and enter a phone number for the SkypeOut call. Don't forget that SkypeOut phone numbers always need to start with the plus + sign. So for a US phone number enter +1 followed by the number; for the UK enter +44 and then the number.
Now click on the Dial button
You will see a warning dialog box in Skype appearing warning you that another program wants to use Skype. Select the option Allow this program to use Skype and click on OK
The Skype call will now be made.
For additional information regarding configuring and testing with the voicemodem_tester.exe application see following article: Voice Modem Tester
Preparing Skype to run as a service
Skype has not been configured to run as a service as it is a desktop client. However as the ServersCheck Monitoring Software runs on servers as service, Skype will be running as a service. ServersCheck will automatically launch the Skype client software. Make sure to follow each step below to ensure that it will work.
1. Go to the Windows Services Manager and double click on the "ServersCheck Voice Service". Make sure that the service is NOT running
2. Click on the logon tab and make sure that the systems are:
- Local System account
- Interact with desktop
Click on the Apply button and close the window.
3. If you have installed Skype in a different location than default (C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe)then proceeds as follows:
- Open with notepad the alerts_voicephone.ini file in the alerts subdirectory
- Modify following line to reflect the full path to the Skype application:
SkypePath=C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
- Save the file
4. Start the ServersCheck Voice Alert service either by clicking on the play button in the Windows Service Manager or by typing following in the Windows Command Prompt: net start ServersCheckVoice
5. 3 windows will now open, one is Skype.
6. Login into Skype and make sure that the option as are set as below:
The option Start Skype when the computer starts should be DISABLED
What now follows should be repeated whenever the voice call module is updated due to the nature of Skype. Skype only grants access for a specific application as it was when access was granted (file size, version number etc...).
7. Editing the testskype.txt file:
Open with Notepad the file called testskype.txt in the alerts subdirectory. Edit the file so that it reads your phone number to call to.
Save the file and move it to the alerts/voicealerts subdirectory.
8. Skype will now shop a popup window to allow the voice call module to interact with Skype. Always allow it.
9. Skype should now be calling you. Pick up the phone and listen to the message that is being played automatically.
