Update 2013/4/10: Although this NAT set-up does work, it only seems to work for a day or two. After a while, the audio connection stops working, so the phone will ring, but there is no audio in or out or both. After playing around with it a bit, I abandoned NAT, and gave my base station a real IP address. So, you can follow these instructions, but you will probably have the same problems…

I have a Technicolor TG582N router, and a Gigaset N300IP phone base station. The router’s web based admin interface isn’t flexible enough to make the necessary changes, so you need to use the telnet interface. The admin prompt looks like this: {Administrator}=>

Firstly, I gave the base station a static IP.

{Administrator}=>dhcp server pool list
Idx Pool              Address Range         Intf              Admin  Alloc   State
0   LAN_custom        192.168.1.[100-254]   LocalNetwork      up     dynamic static
1   LAN_VIRT          0.0.0.0                                 up     dynamic used

Next, configure the router’s firewall.

For SIP control data, allow UDP ports 5060 from 81.187.30.110-119

For RTP audio, allow UDP ports 5004-5020 from anywhere.

>nat mapadd intf=Internet type=napt protocol=udp
   outside_addr=81.111.111.111 outside_port=5004-5020
   inside_addr=192.168.1.11 inside_port=5004-5020

And, for the SIP control data:

>nat mapadd intf=Internet type=napt protocol=udp
   outside_addr=81.111.111.111 outside_port=5060
   inside_addr=192.168.1.11 inside_port=5060
>expr add name=aa-sip-control type=ip addr=81.187.30.[110-119]
>firewall rule add chain=forward_custom index=1 serv=sip
   srcip=aa-sip-control action=accept
>firewall rule add chain=forward_custom index=2 serv=sip
   srcintf=wan action=drop

Finally, we need to save the changed settings:

>saveall

1. It’s not a one handed job.
   As a beginner, I wanted to hold both the blowtorch and the solder in my right hand. So I heated the pipe with the torch, then put it down and applied the solder. Bad idea. I guess the solder cools the metal as it melts, so you need to keep on applying heat. I’ll just have to learn to use my left hand.
2. Solder flows downhill.
   So arranging the workpiece accordingly makes it all go a bit more easily.
3. Americans pronounce it “sodder”.
   …For some reason best known to them.

Here’s the best “how to” video I found…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YQ99sgAuAE

I’ve created a new category on this blog for the project. I’ll be using it to discuss various technical aspects of the project, and progress. All the content is syndicated across to the Project Site, and from there it goes out to Twitter & Facebook. (Hilde’s been reading up on marketing!)

Have a look at things to come with the Teaser Trailer.

Most of the windows that we want to reduce are in solid brickwork, so at least I can do the new brickwork myself. I like that idea, because it will allow me to add chamfered jambs, which will let in more light, and be an interesting feature.

Fitting windows to cavity walls is complicated, so I don’t fancy doing it myself. But do I go to a local window company and get UPVC (U-value about 1.4) or to someone like Green Steps or Green Building Store who make wood-framed windows with a U-value of 0.8-0.9? I calculate the better insulation will save about 400W, which is about 5% of my current heating estimate. That’s not a lot really, but they will also look better – and that is important.

Furthermore, who will fit the windows for me? Green Building Store offer a supply & fit service, but Green Steps seem to be supply only. I suspect that it’ll be way cheaper to find a local fitter.

Altima have an all in one solution, but frustratingly, they don’t say how bright it is. PJ Engineering have much simpler luminaires, but then I’d have to construct my own coving – and I’d have to make my own reflectors too.

In any case, we’ll also need some spots for detail lighting. Dimmable fluorescent tubes would be good too.

Except, now I realise that the Firefox devs have crippled the behaviour anyway. The clipboard now has to contain a full URL, complete with the http://, or the middle click is ignored. Humph. What use it THAT??

OK, so I then found these instructions for hacking FF’s internals, to recreate the old behaviour. Amazingly it works, but I’m starting to feel that they’ve got it in for me.

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The bigger question is, why am I on OkCupid, given that I’m happily married? The answer is that I use it to stalk my single friends. Satisfied :)