[OpenSER-Users] A suggestion for 1.3 nathelper

[Robert Dyck]

When I started using openser I used a patched version of 1.0 nathelper. This 
patch created two formats for fix_nated_contact. There was the original 
format -- fix_nated_contact() and the new format  fix_nated_contact(1.2.3.4).

The original format appears to be useful for service providers. The new format 
is useful when you are using openser as an ALG for a home or small office 
phone system. The contact gets mangled before being sent to the registrar.

Because redoing the patch for each new version of openser that comes along is 
silly, I had previously asked the list for an alternative. Someone suggested 
using encode_contact from the mangler modules. This works but I think it is 
sub-optimal when you have multiple phones with the same user name. Each one 
creates its own contact with the registrar. The service providers server does 
the forking and there is a lot of excess messaging with the INVITEs and 
CANCELs when the call is answered by one of the phones. With 
fix_nated_contact(1.2.3.4) there is only one location registered and the 
local openser does the forking and the CANCELs are confined to the LAN.

Comments?
Rob