Super-Charge Skype

Introduction by Alex Lindsey of Pixel Corp.

- Wacom: the tablet pad Andy's using to explain Skype.

- Australian Designer: Steve Huntriss

- How Skype works when your computer is behind a router:


- How to optimize your router for Skype calls: by means of port forwarding.
1) Access your router administration control panel, by opening your browser and typing your router IP address.
2) Click Start, then Control Panel.
3) Double-click on Network Connections
4) Locate your Wireless Connection, this will show your current internal IP address.
5) To setup a static IP address for your computer:
a) Locate and click on DHCP on your specific router's control panel.
b) Select your specific computer by Mac address or name.
c) Type in your Mac address and the static IP address you wish to use.
d) Click apply.
6) Configuring your Skype Client:
a) Start Skype
b) Click Tools and Select Options
c) Click Connections located on the left-hand side menu.
d) The port that is located in the box, is the port to open in your router.
7) Go into the Advanced settings of your router.
8) Select Virtual Server.
9) Click enable, name your port opening.
10) The Private IP is the static IP address you set prior.
11) Select both under the protocol type.
12) Enter the port from the Skype client.
13) Select always.
14) Click apply.

- A port is basically a door way in the router which allows traffic in and out to the Internet.

- The Mac address is a hardware-based, so it will stay the same even if you reinstall Windows.

- A unique Mac address is assigned to each network card when it is made.

- PortForward.com: provides a walk-though to setup port forwarding no matter what router you have.