UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND QUANTITATIVE SCIENCE

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND QUANTITATIVE SCIENCE THE INTEGRATION OF VOIP AND E-LEARNING SYSTEM IN A COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT BY AHMAD ZULKHAIR B. ZAKARIA 2004107027 B. Sc (HONS) DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK NOVEMBER 2006

THE INTEGRATION OF VOIP AND E-LEARNING SYSTEM IN A COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT BY AHMAD ZULKHAIR B. ZAKARIA 2004107027 A final project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the B. Sc (HONS) DATA COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING A project paper submitted to FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND QUANTITATIVE SCIENCE UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA NOVEMBER 2006 Approved by the Examining Committee: Project Supervisor, En. Mohd Faisal B. Ibrahim Examiner, En. Mohd Izani Mohamed Rawi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Alhamdulillah, with gratitude and blessed from Allah S.W.T, finally I have completed my project without having major problems within the period given. Firstly, I am so grateful that I have been given the strength by Allah S.W.T to complete this project. I would like to take this space of opportunity to express my gratitude to my Supervisor, Encik Mohd Faisal bin Ibrahim for his guidance, encouragement and support that really helps me a lot in completing this project. Under his supervision I have gained a lot of experiences and lesson in completing this project. He is so supportive and always gives me an idea to enhance this project. I also would like to give an appreciation to my parent and friends in helping me to complete this project successfully. They gave me a lot of encouragement and moral support to accomplish my missions toward this project. Last but not least, credits should be given for those who help me either directly or indirectly. Thank you very much. NOVEMBER 2006 AHMAD ZULKHAIR B. ZAKARIA ii

ABSTRACT A reliable and fast communication is really crucial nowadays to support the rapid development of technologies. Communication service providers are racing each other in providing the best services to all their customers. Instead of having the best services given by the service provider, the services that we used are actually costing. A new technology which named as Voice over Internet Protocol brings a new dimension in the communication technology. This new technology offers cheaper rate of making a call compared to the traditional circuit switched technology especially for a long distance call. Derived from this ability, the idea to make an Integration of VoIP and E-Learning System in a Collaborative Learning Environment appears. The integration is purposely to help NBPL s user to communicate with each other more practically and conveniently. To accommodate the integration, a new module named as Skype has been created and assigned into the NBPL s main page. Through the new assigned module, NBPL s users can view all the online NBPL s Skype user and also can click at the username to contact the user via VoIP call managed by the Skype application. Instead of developing the integration module, this project also run an analysis on the effect of VoIP based on UDP protocol and also proposed an algorithm to search an online NBPL s Skype user. iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT... ii ABSTRACT...iii TABLE OF CONTENTS... iv LIST OF ABBREVATIONS... vi LIST OF FIGURES... vii LIST OF TABLE... ix INTRODUCTION... 1 1.1 PROBLEMS BACKGROUND... 1 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT... 2 1.3 OBJECTIVE... 3 1.4 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT... 3 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT... 3 1.5.1 Significances to Students... 3 1.5.2 Significances to lecturers... 4 1.5.3 Significances to future researcher... 4 1.6 OUTLINED OF THE THESIS... 4 LITERATURE REVIEW... 6 2.1 Definition of Common Terms... 6 2.2 VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)... 6 2.2 E-LEARNING... 7 2.3 Skype... 8 2.4 Network Based Project Learning... 8 2.6 Related Works... 9 2.6.1 Voice-over-IP: The Future of Communications... 9 2.6.2 Web-enabled Voice over IP Call Center... 9 2.6.3 Implementing Voice over IP Telephone in 211 Call Center... 10 2.6.4 E-Learning Application Infrastructure... 10 2.6.5 An Experimental Study of the Skype Peer-to-Peer VoIP System... 11 2.6.6 Analysis of the Skype Peer-to-Peer Internet Telephone Protocol... 13 2.7 CONCLUSION... 13 iv

METHODOLOGY... 14 3.1 INTRODUCTION... 14 3.2 PHASE 1: INITIATION... 14 3.2 PHASE 2: PLANNING... 14 3.2.1 PLANNING THE TESTING... 14 3.2.2 DATA COLLECTION... 15 3.3 PHASE 3: DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION... 16 3.3.1 The Development of Integration Module... 16 3.3.2 Installation of Ethereal and Skype... 18 3.4 PHASE 4: ALGORITHM DEVELOPMENT... 22 3.5 PHASE 5: ALGORITHM EVALUATION AND EXPERIMENT... 22 3.6 PHASE 5: DATA ANALYSIS... 22 3.7 CONCLUSION... 23 PROPOSED ALGORITHM TO SEARCH AN ONLINE NBPL S SKYPE USER... 27 RESULTS AND FINDINGS... 30 5.1 INTRODUCTION... 30 5.2 THE INTEGRATION MODULE... 30 5.3 ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECTS OF VOIP BASED ON UDP PROTOCOL 34 5.4 EVALUATION ON THE PROPOSED ALGORITHM TO SEARCH ONLINE NBPL S SKYPE USER... 40 5.5 CONCLUSION... 42 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS... 43 5.1 INTRODUCTION... 43 5.2 CONCLUSIONS... 43 5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS... 44 REFERENCES... 45 APPENDIX... 47 v

LIST OF ABBREVATIONS NBPL UDP VoIP NETWORK BASED PROJECT LEARNING USER DATAGRAM PROTOCOL VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL vi

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1: Figure 2.2: Example of How VoIP Service Work ((FCC/NARUC Joint Task Force on VoIP/E911, April 2006 (www.voip911.gov))... 7 E-Learning Functional Model (e-learning Application Infrastructure, SUN MICROSYSTEM INC, n.d).. 11 Figure 2.3: Percentages of all nodes, and supernodes active at anytime.. 12 Figure 2.4: Geographic distribution of supernodes as observed over the duration... 12 Figure 3.1: Ethereal Setup-Steps 1 18 Figure 3.2: Ethereal Setup-Steps 2 18 Figure 3.3: Ethereal Setup-Steps 3 19 Figure 3.4: Ethereal Setup-Steps 4 19 Figure 3.5: Skype Setup-Steps 1... 20 Figure 3.6: Skype Setup-Steps 2... 20 Figure 3.7: Skype Setup-Steps 3... 21 Figure 3.8: Skype Setup-Steps 4... 21 Figure 3.9: Research Method Framework. 24 Figure 5.1: The index page before the integration module included 29 Figure 5.2: The index page after the integration module included... 30 Figure 5.3: An initiation of VoIP call to contact f4is4... 31 Figure 5.4: Conversation between Host A to Host B 32 Figure 5.5: Conversation between Host B to Host A 32 Figure 5.6: Normal UDP user datagram graph. 33 Figure 5.7: 5 minutes one way communication 34 Figure 5.8: 10 minutes one way communication.. 34 vii

Figure 5.9: 15 minutes one way communication.. 34 Figure 5.10: 20 minutes one way communication.. 34 Figure 5.11: One way conversation graph.. 35 Figure 5.12: 5 minutes two way communication 36 Figure 5.13: 10 minutes two way communication.. 36 Figure 5.14: 15 minutes two way communication.. 36 Figure 5.15: 20 minutes two way communication.. 36 Figure 5.16: Two way conversation graph... 37 Figure 5.17: Comparison between one way and two way conversation of VoIP call 38 Figure 5.18: Evaluation done on five online users.. 39 Figure 5.19: Evaluation done on ten online users 40 viii

LIST OF TABLE Table 3.1: Table users_users before modification 17 Table 3.2: Table users_users after modification 17 ix

INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROBLEMS BACKGROUND As communication technologies are growing faster and larger today, each person in this world needs to communicate with each other easily and reliably. Obviously, people need a telephone, hand phone or even a computer in order to communicate. To support this scenario, communication service providers are competing with each other to provide the best services for their customer. Traditionally, people use a fixed telephone line to communicate each other locally or even across the nation. Nowadays, a mobile phone becomes so popular and easy to get. This new mobile phone technology has assist people to communicate easily and more convenience where ever they are. However, this regular telephone line is considerable as an expensive services especially when making a long distances call. This costly service has limited the long distances communication which is important for certain parties. A solution for the above problem is to introduce a new communication technology, Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP. VoIP allows you to make telephone calls using an Internet connection instead of a regular telephone line (FCC/NARUC Joint Task Force on VoIP/E911, April 2006). Based on the above problem and solution, this research focuses on the development and integration of VoIP and e-learning system in a collaborative learning environment. We also conducted an analysis on the effectiveness of the integration of these two technologies. 1

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT Students need a good communication services to communicate with their colleague and lecturers in order to help them in study. Although mobile phone nowadays is widely been used and easy to get to communicate with each other, students are facing problems to subscribe to an expensive mobile service. Students have to spend money to buy prepaid card or pay their phone bills in order for them to keep communicating. This situation affects their monthly budget and their allocation for other things especially study materials. Nowadays, most universities provide their student with an e-learning system This system enables the students to take an online test, submit an assignment, and download study materials and others. Through an e-learning system students are also allow to communicate with each other through an online forum, chatting, shout box and others. But, this type of communication is not practical enough in a collaborative learning environment because response through an online forum, chatting or shout box is not in a real time. It maybe a late response or sometimes there are no responses at all. Therefore, integrating VoIP and e-learning System in a collaborative learning environment both problems mentioned above can be solved. Not only providing cost saving in forms of making calls, this integration will also help students communicate through an e-learning system more practical and more convenience. 2

1.3 OBJECTIVE As a guidance to complete this research successfully, some objectives are determined and defined precisely. The objectives are: To integrate the VoIP and e-learning system in a collaborative learning environment. To analyze the effect of VoIP based on UDP Protocol To propose an algorithm to search an online NBPL s Skype user. 1.4 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT This project focuses on the Network Based Project Learning (NBPL) community as an initial platform. The respondents of this project are those who registered with NBPL. These respondents will act as an input and contribute towards the analysis of the effectiveness of the integration of VoIP and NBPL. 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT Upon completing this project, hopefully it will bring a great contribution to many parties especially to students, lecturers and also for future researcher. Significant parties that involve are also hopefully will take an opportunity to enhance this project to the further level. 1.5.1 Significances to Students Since this project has been conducted focusing on Network Based Project Learning (NBPL), Integration of VoIP and E-Learning system will help a lot for students to communicate more practical in a collaborative learning environment. Through this integration students will receive responses regarding their queries that are related to their study in a real time. They do not have to wait for responses for their queries on certain matters for an unpredictable time or disappointed with no responses at all. 3

1.5.2 Significances to lecturers Lecturers who involved in the e-learning system will experienced this integration is very useful to communicate more practically with their students in a collaborative learning environment. For example, a student can arrange better appointment with their lecturers using VoIP that is integrate in the e-learning system compared to short messages services or phone call which is considerable as an expensive services. Other than that, a lecture can also initiate an online meeting with other lecturers using the integrated VoIP in the e-learning system. This will help a lecturer to attend an important meeting where ever they are. 1.5.3 Significances to future researcher Since this research is conducted by focusing on NBPL, thus this integration can be further enhanced and applied for the larger scope of web-based collaborative learning disciplines. For an instance, Integration of VoIP and E-Learning System in a Collaborative Learning Environment can be applied for the Learning Management System (LMS), Course Management System (CMS), Enterprise Learning Management (ELM) and also Learning Content Management System (LCMS). 1.6 OUTLINED OF THE THESIS Basically this thesis report consists of six chapters. This chapter highlights the background of this project including the problem statement, objective to be achieved, scope and significant of the project. As the next chapter, Literature Review will give a clear definition of some common terms used throughout this project and also discussing similar related works. Followed by Chapter Three Methodology will explain some methods and phases involved in completing this project. Furthermore, any findings and result gained through this project will be discussing in depth in Chapter Four, Results 4

and Findings. Finally, Chapter Five will provide some conclusions, suggestions and recommendations either to improve NBPL or as reference for the next future researcher. 5

LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Definition of Common Terms The title of this research is Integration of VoIP and E-Learning System in a Collaborative Learning Environment. As defined by The Concise Oxford Dictionary, Ninth Edition, integration means the act or an instance of integrating. Referring to the same dictionary, collaborative means work jointly. While learning means knowledge acquired by study and environment is defined as the physical surroundings, conditions or circumstances in which a person lives (The Concise Oxford Dictionary, Ninth Edition). 2.2 VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) The term voice as defined by The Concise Oxford Dictionary, Ninth Edition, means sound formed in the larynx and uttered by the mouth. The word internet means two or more networks that can communicate with each other. The most notable internet is called the Internet (uppercase I), composed of hundreds of thousands of interconnected networks (Behrouz A. Forouzan, 2006). Furthermore, protocol can be defined as the rules or formalities of any procedure (The Concise Oxford Dictionary, Ninth Edition). In the context of this project, protocol referred as the rules for communication of voice over internet. VoIP is a generic term that refers to all types of voice communication using Internet protocol (IP) instead of traditional circuit switched technology. VoIP offers several advantages. For example, greater efficiency, lower cost especially for long distance calls, higher reliability, supporting innovation- IP is a nonproprietary standard agreed on by hardware and software developers, and is free to be used by anyone 6

(Gerard J. Waldron and Rachel Welch of Covington & Burling, Washington, D.C. April 2002). VoIP converts the voice signal from your telephone into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. Anybody can make a VoIP call from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone using an adapter (FCC/NARUC Joint Task Force on VoIP/E911, April 2006). Figure 2.1: Example of How VoIP Service Work ((FCC/NARUC Joint Task Force on VoIP/E911, April 2006 (www.voip911.gov)). 2.2 E-LEARNING The letter E is refer to electronic which means produced by or involving the flow of electrons (The Concise Oxford Dictionary, Ninth Edition). E-Learning refers to learning that is delivered or enabled via electronic technology. It encompasses learning delivered via a range of technologies such as the internet, television, videotape, intelligent tutoring systems, and computer-based training (Sun Microsystem Inc, n.d). E-Learning is a subset of the larger worlds of both information technology and education and training. It can be valuable when used as a part of a well-planned and properly supported education and training environment. 7

In this project, the e-learning system used to integrate with VoIP is Network Based Project Learning (NBPL) which is maintained and administered by En Mohd Faisal B. Ibrahim, UiTM FTMSK s lecturer. 2.3 Skype Skype is an application that provides these VoIP and Instant Messaging (IM) services in an easy-to-use package that works behind Network Address Translators (NAT) and firewalls. Skype offers three services: VoIP allows two Skype users to establish two-way audio streams with each other and supports conferences of up to 4 users, IM allows two or more Skype users to exchange small text messages in real-time, and file-transfer allows a Skype user to send a _le to another Skype user (if the recipient agrees). Skype also offers paid services that allow Skype users to initiate and receive calls via regular telephone numbers. Skype is related to KaZaA; both the companies were founded by the same individuals (Saikat Guha, Cornell University and Neil Daswani, Ravi Jain, Google, September 2005). This project which integrates VoIP and E-Learning system is using Skype as an application to initiate a VoIP call. NBPL users are required to install Skype application in their pc, laptop or pda in order for them to use the integration.. 2.4 Network Based Project Learning Network Based Project Learning (NBPL) is an example of the e-learning website which was developed to support project-based learning project by using PHP language, which is a powerful open source technology. There are some interesting features that support NBPL such as forum, file gallery, chat, upload and download files, shout box, comments, articles and inter-user messages. In addition, NBPL lets the user to communicate with the lecturers, group members and other parties. NBPL also stores 8

learning projects in centralized repository besides allowing sharing and re-using of teaching materials. 2.6 Related Works In conducting this research, several projects have been found which are related to this research topic. These previous project brings significant useful as a guidelines and references to complete the research and achieve all the research s objectives. 2.6.1 Voice-over-IP: The Future of Communications Referring to paper prepared by Gerard J. Waldron and Rachel Welch of Covington & Burling, Washington, D.C. (April 2002), they have done a study about Voice over Internet Protocol. They provide valuable information about VoIP. For example, the VoIP terms meaning, advantages of VoIP, VoIP s concerns and IP voice policy. Due to this project is about integrating VoIP and E-Learning System, Gerard J. Waldron and Rachel Welch project is very useful as guidance and preparation to understand about VoIP before the integration could be made. 2.6.2 Web-enabled Voice over IP Call Center This paper prepared by Stefan Kuhlins and Didier Gutacker (2001) describes the concept and open source based implementation for combining Internet commerce solutions and World-Wide Web access to information (e.g., Internet and telephone banking) with a voice call button that allows immediate access to a call center agent from any PC over a single network connection via voice over IP. Project mentioned above has several similar criteria with this project. Instead of combining Internet commerce solutions and World-Wide Web through VoIP, this project is integrating VoIP and E-Learning system. Project paper prepared by Stefan 9

Kuhlins and Didier Gutacker has been reviewed to study about steps they have taken to implement the combination of Internet commerce solutions and World-Wide Web through VoIP in order to assist the development of integration between VoIP and E- Learning System. 2.6.3 Implementing Voice over IP Telephone in 211 Call Center According to project paper prepared by the Telecommunications and Information Policy Institute, University of Texas (August 2003), they describe about how they implement VoIP in 211 call center and also discussing and over viewing about VoIP structure. Project paper mentioned above is reviewed to clearly understand about VoIP structure and also others information about VoIP. 2.6.4 E-Learning Application Infrastructure This white paper prepared by SUN MICROSYSTEM INC. provides valuable information to understand more deeply about an e-learning system infrastructure. In their paper, they have discussed some important elements about an e-learning system. For example, an overall reviews about what is e-learning, e-learning functional model, technology infrastructure and others. In this project of Integration of VoIP and E-Learning System in a Collaborative Learning Environment, it is important to understand all about an e-learning system elements and criteria so that the module planned to be created meet the criteria of an e- learning system. 10

Figure 2.2: E-Learning Functional Model (e-learning Application Infrastructure, SUN MICROSYSTEM INC, n.d) 2.6.5 An Experimental Study of the Skype Peer-to-Peer VoIP System By referring to Saikat Guha, Neil Daswani and Ravi Jain (September 2005) previous project, they have done an analysis on Skype VoIP traffic. Their key goals in this paper is to understand how P2P VoIP traffic in Skype differs from traffic in P2P file-sharing networks and from traffic in traditional voice communication networks. The samples of the result are described in Figure 2.3 and Figure 2.4 Different from this project, one of the objectives is to analyze the effect of VoIP on UDP protocol. But, project paper mentioned above is reviewed to understand what appropriate analysis steps process should be done. 11

Figure 2.3: Percentages of all nodes, and supernodes active at anytime Figure 2.4 Geographic distribution of supernodes as observed over the duration 12

2.6.6 Analysis of the Skype Peer-to-Peer Internet Telephone Protocol According to the project prepared by Salman A. Baset and Henning Schulzrinne (September 2004), they have made an analysis key Skype functions such as login, NAT and firewall traversal, call establishment, media transfer, codecs, and conferencing under three different network setups. Analysis is performed by careful study of Skype network traffic. Compare to this project, they have some similar and some differences that can be used as a reference to execute the analysis on the effects of VoIP on UDP protocol. 2.7 CONCLUSION This chapter defines some common terms used in this research and discusses about the research topic deeply. At the end of this chapter, it also describes some previous works, which are related to this research. Those previous works acts as a guide to accomplish this project successfully. 13

METHODOLOGY 3.1 INTRODUCTION Throughout this chapter, approaches taken to conduct the research are explained in detail. Materials used were determined in order to accomplish objective of the research. Generally, the methodology phases are breakdown into five phases, which are initiation, planning, development and implementation, experiments and data analysis. 3.2 PHASE 1: INITIATION During this phase, all resources needed have been determined in order to complete the project. Objectives and scope of the research is also clearly defined in this phase so that this project will not go beyond the scope and objectives. Furthermore, during this phase a preliminary study has been made in order to determine any constraints and any extra knowledge needed to conduct the research. Time estimation was also determined in order to complete the project on time. 3.2 PHASE 2: PLANNING After completing the first phase, the second phase which is planning phase has been executed. This phase was divided into two section; planning the testing and data collection. 3.2.1 PLANNING THE TESTING During this section, hardware and software requirement has been identified. Other than that, test size also has been determined according to the scope of the research. The details are as follows. 14