STENTOFON Recording

STENTOFON Recording

General Description

The STENTOFON Recorder Software is a fully featured IP-based audio recorder for the AlphaCom XE audio server. The solution is able to record calls from all types of terminals connected to AlphaCom XE including:

• Analog intercom
• IP intercom
• Analog phone
• IP phone

The solution records audio for two-way calls, group calls, and simplex and duplex conferences. The Recorder Software is easy to install. When connecting the recorder server to the IP network, it is able to record conversations from all AlphaCom XE servers in the network. When a call is going to be recorded, the AlphaCom XE server will intercept the audio for the call and set up a SIP session to the recorder server. No additional hardware is needed in AlphaCom XE to enable recording. The recording function is activated by installing a license key in the AlphaCom XE server. Conversations are stored securely, employing digital watermarking immediately after call termination to ensure audio log authenticity in the future. The complete recording package consists of licenses for the AlphaCom XE audio server based on the number of stations that require the recording facility and the STENTOFON Recorder Software itself.

STENTOFON Recorder Licenses

STENTOFON Recorder Software is available as different licensed package versions: Lite, Standard, and Enterprise.

	Lite	Standard	Enterprise
Networking	One AlphaCom server	Multiple AlphaCom servers	Multiple AlphaCom servers
Number of calls	To be recorded, a call must include 1 out of 10 pre-defined directory numbers
Playback clients	Playback Client must reside on the recording server	Playback Client must reside on the recording server	- Playback Client can be installed on separate PC which is on the same network as the recording server. - Recorder can accept 2 simultaneous playback client connections. - Recorder can accept multiple simultaneous playback client connections through licensing.
API			Recorder exposes an API for the connection of custom playback clients

Recommended Minimum Requirements

The STENTOFON Recorder Software runs on a standard PC server.

STENTOFON Recorder Software	Lite	Standard	Enterprise
Maximum number of simultaneous recordings	5 simultaneous calls	20 simultaneous calls	100 simultaneous calls
Operating system	Windows 7 Professional	Windows 7 Professional	Windows Server 2008
Software dependency	.NET 3.5 Framework SP1	.NET 3.5 Framework SP1	.NET 3.5 Framework SP1
Processor	Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5400	Intel Core2 Duo E8600 processor	Intel Quad Core Xeon E5440 processor
Memory	1 GByte	2 GBytes	4 GBytes
Hard Disk - CallHours @ 1 RTP stream per conversation - CallHours @ 2 RTP streams per conversation	> 100 GBytes recommended 3600 1800	> 320 GBytes recommended 11000 5700	> 1 TByte recommended 38000 19000
Hard disk transfer speed	480 Mbit/sec	1.5 Gbit/sec	1.5 Gbit/sec
Hard disk with RAID technology			Recommended
Network speed	100 Mbit/sec	100 Mbit/sec	1 Gbit/sec
Soundcard	Required	Required	Optional - only required when Playback Client resides on the same PC
Speakers	Required	Required	Optional - only required when Playback Client resides on the same PC

AlphaCom Licenses

To enable the Recording Interface on the AlphaCom XE audio server, an Active Recording Interface License is required. There are several types of licenses, all depending on the number of users in the system.

Item Number	License	No. of Users
1009648092	Active Recording Interface	2
1009648093	Active Recording Interface	6
1009648094	Active Recording Interface	12
1009648095	Active Recording Interface	36
1009648096	Active Recording Interface	72
1009648097	Active Recording Interface	138
1009648098	Active Recording Interface	276
1009648099	Active Recording Interface	552

STENTOFON Recorder Software

Downloading Software

The STENTOFON Recorder Software is available from the STENTOFON Partnernet or AlphaWiki support pages. There are 4 zip packages available for download:

• STENTOFONLicenseRequest.zip
• STENTOFONRecorder.zip
• STENTOFONPlaybackClient.zip
• STENTOFONRecorderAPI.zip

All software components require Microsoft .NET 3.5 Framework SP1.

Obtaining a License

The procedure to obtain and activate a license is as follows:
1. Download STENTOFONLicenseRequest.zip to your PC
2. Install the license request software by double-clicking on STENTOFONLicenseRequestSetup.exe.

• • By default this will add a menu item to the Start menu: STENTOFON License Request Utility
    

Note that this software must be installed and running on the PC on which the STENTOFON Recorder Software will be installed 

3. Please read the End User License Agreement (EULA) carefully before clicking the I Agree radio-button
4. Select Start > STENTOFON > STENTOFON License Request Utility and fill in the form shown to the right:

• • red fields are mandatory
    

5. Click Generate
6. Save the resulting file: STENTOFONLicenseRequest.req
7. Send the file to sales@stentofon.com and include a reference to the purchase order for the STENTOFON Recorder Software
You should then normally receive a license file within 2 business days - the file has file extension .lic. When installing the STENTOFON Recorder Software, the installation wizard will guide you to browse to the location where this file is stored.

Demo Licenses

All three license types are available on AlphaWiki to try as demo versions. These licenses are fully functional but have the following restrictions:

• The STENTOFON Recorder Software shuts down automatically after 5 hours and deletes all recordings – the service can be started again manually (see Recorder Configuration).
• The licenses are valid for 200 days, with starting dates of 1st January and 1st July – new licenses will be posted on AlphaWiki in the month preceding these dates

As these demo licenses are not tied to the hardware of the PC on which the STENTOFON Recorder Software is running, it is not necessary to run the STENTOFON License Request Utility to obtain them - they can just be downloaded directly from AlphaWiki.

Recorder Software Installation

The procedure to install the STENTOFON Recorder Software is as follows:
1. Open STENTOFONRecorder.zip
2. Double-click the file STENTOFONRecorderSetup.exe

• this will start the setup wizard which will guide you through the installation procedure
  

3. Please read the End User License Agreement (EULA) carefully before clicking the I Agree radio-button

By default the software will be installed in C:\Program Files\STENTOFON\STENTOFON Recorder. The default installation process will add the following items to the Start menu:

• Start > STENTOFON > STENTOFON Recorder > STENTOFON Playback Client
• Start > STENTOFON > STENTOFON Recorder > STENTOFON Recorder Configuration Utility

At the end of the installation process, a dialog-box will appear for browsing to the location of the recorder license. The recorder software will be installed as a Windows service and will automatically start up when the PC is started. The STENTOFON Recorder Configuration Utility (see section 2.5) has a Start/Stop button with which it is possible to start and stop the recorder service manually. It is therefore not necessary to restart the PC as long as this utility is used to start the service. Note that the STENTOFON Recorder Status Monitor (see section 4.2) is added to the Start > Startup menu. This means that when the PC is restarted, this monitor program also automatically starts and it can also be started manually by navigating to this start menu item. The installation of the STENTOFON Recorder Software will also install the STENTOFON Playback Client.

The description of the installation of the STENTOFON Playback Client in section 2.6 is only relevant if the playback client is to be installed on a PC other 
than the one on which the STENTOFON Recorder Software resides.

Recorder Configuration

The recorder software is configured through the STENTOFON Recorder Configuration Utility.

• Click Change License to change to a new license, for instance, when upgrading from a Lite or Standard license to an Enterprise license.
• In the Base Directory field, enter the directory where you wish to store the recorded files.
  • The default directory is: C:\STENTOFON_Recordings
• In the API HTTP Port field, enter the port number on which the recorder communicates via its API. By default, this port number is set 10 STENTOFON Recorder Software A100K11036 to 8080.
  • Note that the Playback client uses the same port number.
• In the Server Timeout (s) field, the Registration Interval can be changed from its default value of 120 seconds. Normally this field can be left at 120, but in some IP networks it may be necessary to change this value.
• Recorder Status shows whether the recorder service is running or not. The Start/Stop button allows the service to be started or stopped manually.
• Click Save Configuration to store any changes to the settings.

Lite Version

In the field Recorded Dir Nrs, upto 10 directory numbers can be entered,separated by commas.

Note that AlphaCom does not report individual subscribers as conference participants, meaning that if a conference is to be part of the conversations to be
recorded, its directory number must also be listed as one of the 10 directory numbers.

The AlphaCom Servers field shows the IP address of the AlphaCom with which the recorder must register. To enter the IP address of the AlphaCom server:

• Click Add to open a new dialog-box

• In the User field, enter the registration name of the recorder
• In the Address field, enter the IP address of the AlphaCom server

For the Lite version, the recorder can only register with one AlphaCom - once the details for one AlphaCom have been entered, the Add button will be disabled. To change the AlphaCom on which the recorder shall register, the current details must first be deleted.

• Highight the input text in the AlphaCom Servers field and click Remove.

Standard & Enterprise Version

Both the Standard and Enterprise versions can register on multiple AlphaCom servers. Consequently, the Add button is not disabled after the details of the first AlphaCom have been entered. The procedure for adding and removing AlphaCom servers to register on is the same as for the Lite version.

Windows Firewall

In order for RTP streams to be recorded correctly it may be necessary to add Stentofon.Recorder.Service.exe (by default located in C:\Program Files\STENTOFON\STENTOFON Recorder) to Windows Firewall Exceptions. For Windows XP, the procedure is as follows:
1. Start the Control Panel and double-click Windows Firewall
2. Select the Exceptions tab and click Add Program…
3. Browse to C:\Program Files\STENTOFON\STENTOFON Recorder and select Stentofon.Recorder.Service.exe
4. Click Open

• this will close the browse dialog box
  

5. Click OK to accept the choice
6. Click OK to close the Windows firewall dialog box

For Windows 7, the procedure is as follows:
1. Start the Control Panel and select System and Security
2. Under Windows Firewall select Allow a program through Windows Firewall
3. Click Allow another program… -- If the Allow another program… button is disabled, click Change settings
4. Browse to C:\Program Files\STENTOFON\STENTOFON Recorder and select Stentofon.Recorder.Service.exe
5. Click Open -- this will close the browse dialog box
6. Click Add to accept the choice
7. Click OK to close the Windows firewall dialog box

Windows Logging

The STENTOFON Recorder service will log information into the Application logs of a Windows PC on startup. On some operating systems such as Windows XP, these entries may fail to be written if the log is already full. In some cases, this may cause an error when attempting to start the service. If this occurs, clear the application log, and attempt to start the service again.

Playback Client Software Installation

Note that it is not necessary to install the Playback Client on the PC which already has the STENTOFON Recorder Software installed as the Playback Client would
have been installed together with it.

The procedure to install the STENTOFON Playback Client Software is as follows:
1. Open STENTOFONPlaybackClient.zip and extract the files.
2. Double-click the file STENTOFONPlaybackClientSetup.exe

• this will automatically start the setup wizard.
  
• please read the EULA carefully before accepting it.
  

By default, the software will be installed on C:\Program Files\STENTOFON\STENTOFON Playback Client. The default installation process will add short cuts to the Start menu and on the desktop for starting the playback client:

• Start > STENTOFON > STENTOFON Recorder > STENTOFON Playback Client

Enterprise Version

With the Enterprise version, the STENTOFON Playback Client can run on any PC in the network.

• Start > STENTOFON > STENTOFON Recorder > STENTOFON Playback Client

• Click Play from Archive

• Click Select Database…

When Local is selected, the playback client will contact the STENTOFON recorder software which must be running on the same PC. If the STENTOFON Recorder Software is running on a different PC:

• Select Remote and enter the IP address of the PC on which the STENTOFON recorder is running in the STENTOFON Recorder IP field
• Enter the port number to use to connect to the recorder software in the STENTOFON Recorder Port field

If the STENTOFON Recorder software does not have an Enterprise license, the playback client will not be able to connect to the STENTOFON Recorder and only Local will be a valid choice.

Standalone Use

The STENTOFON Playback Client can be used in ‘standalone’ mode to play back previously exported recordings.

AlphaCom Recording Interface

AlphaCom XE Licenses

The Active Recording Interface is a license-based feature of the AlphaCom XE audio server. In AlphaPro, it is possible to enable recording for as many specific intercom stations as the number of licenses purchased. To record both sides of a conversation, only one of the two stations in the conversation needs the appropriate flag enabled.
This means that in an installation with many substations and only a few master stations, where the substations are not able to call each other, only as many licenses are required as there are master stations.
When the recording interface is enabled (the license key has been inserted) it is also possible to record conferences and group calls.
To insert the Active Recording Interface license key for the AlphaCom server:
1. Start AlphaWeb from a web browser by entering the IP address of the AlphaCom server and logging in.

• The default username is admin and the default password is alphaadmin
  

2. Select the System Configuration tab and then Licensing and click Insert new License Key
3. Enter the license key into the input field and click Insert Key
4. Accept the Terms and Conditions by clicking Yes

• The license key is now inserted but not yet activated.
  

5. To activate, click Yes to the question Do you want to reset the amc system now?

AlphaPro Programming

The following sections describe the programming of the Recording Interface, Stations, Group Calls, and Conferences in AlphaPro.

Programming Recording Interface

In AlphaPro, programming of the Recording Interface is done under the Recording tab in the dialog box where all system-wide information is programmed:
1. Open AlphaPro
2. Click the Exchange & System icon
3. Click the System button
4. Click the Recording tab

Note that after sending the changes to the AlphaCom audio server, the server needs to be reset in order to activate the changes which are made as described
in this section.

Recorder Registration

The STENTOFON Recorder Software registers with AlphaCom as a SIP device.

• If only one recorder is used, enter its registration name in the Username field for Primary Recorder.
• If there is a redundant recorder as well, enter its registration name in the Username field for Secondary Recorder.

AlphaCom will first attempt to record a conversation on the Primary Recorder but if that recorder is not available, the Secondary Recorder will be used.
Note that the IP Address field is not relevant for this application and should be left empty.

Audio Streams

The RTP audio stream characteristics should be set as follows

• Uncheck the Need Single RTP box
• Check the All box under Codecs

The STENTOFON Recorder Software is able to capture multiple RTP streams for a conversation. Hence, it is not necessary to force AlphaCom to mix those streams into a single stream.
The STENTOFON Recorder Software also supports all the codecs that are supported by AlphaCom. It is therefore not necessary to force a transcoding to a specific codec.

Programming Stations

To program the stations for recording in AlphaPro:
1. Click the Users & Stations icon
2. Click the General tab
In the dialog box there are 2 flags for each station:

• Recording – Incoming
• Recording – Outgoing

By enabling these flags, it can be determined whether only incoming or outgoing calls should be recorded, or both. Note that only as many stations should be selected for recording as recording licenses have been purchased to avoid calls not being recorded.
By default, the Incoming and Outgoing boxes are unchecked.
In a system where most stations require recording, click the Apply to All button. The recording flag for all 552 users will then have the same settings as that for the station where the Apply to All button is selected.
Conversations within the same AlphaCom will only be recorded once, even if both stations in the conversation have both recording flags enabled.
If one of the stations has the appropriate recording flag enabled, the conversation will be recorded independent of whether any recording flags are enabled for the other participant in the conversation.

Programming Group Calls

thumb When a recording license is present, all local and global group calls are recorded by default, regardless of whether stations have a recording flag enabled or not. Recording of specific local and global group calls can be disabled by deselecting the recording flag for the group call.
To program Groups for recording in AlphaPro under the General tab:

• Click the Groups icon

AlphaPro group icon.jpg

• • select either Local Groups or Global Groups
• Enable or disable the recording flag as required by checking or unchecking the Recording box.

Programming Conferences

Simplex Conference

Open Duplex Conference

When a recording license is present, all simplex and duplex conferences are recorded by default, regardless of whether stations have a recording flag enabled or not. Recording of specific conferences can be disabled by deselecting the recording flag for the conference.
In AlphaPro, click the Simplex Conferences or Open Duplex Conferences icon and select the appropriate conference.

• Enable or disable the recording flag as required by checking or unchecking the Recording box.

AlphaNet

Similar to stations, each AlphaNet link also has 2 recording flags associated with it, for incoming and outgoing calls. By default, both these flags are enabled.
For the recording of AlphaNet calls, the rule is:

• Record incoming call if the Incoming flags for both the station AND the source node are enabled
• Record outgoing call if the Outgoing flags for both the station AND the destination node are enabled

This makes it possible to select the side on which to record an AlphaNet call or to have the option to record the call at both ends.
The AlphaNet recording flags are part of the Exchange & System > Net Routing dialog box:
The STENTOFON Recorder Software licensed as Standard or Enterprise is able to register with many AlphaCom XE audio servers simultaneously, so that even in a large AlphaNet it is possible to use just a single recorder. However, in geographically dispersed systems, it may be advisable to have recorders at different locations.

Note that every AlphaCom XE audio server in an AlphaNet requires its own recording licenses.