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rcilink
Premium
join:2003-12-15
Manchester, NH
| reply to Prayer
Re: [Asterisk] configuration
I chose to go with two network cards on my asterisk box. One network card goes to the cable modem, and the other network card is the internal LAN side. This way, I dont have all the problems with NAT settings and asterisk.. Also, I can point X-Lite (or a PAP2) at my home IP address, and get my home dialtone from work! Seriously, do you plan to use a router and have your Linux/Asterisk box on the inside network? If so, you can get away with one network card. For the inside network, I have several Linksys PAP2 units, and a Sipura SPA3000. I wanted the SPA3000 for the FXO (to bring my POTS line into Asterisk). I can tell you, the callerID for anonymous/private calls gets messed-up when handed to Asterisk, but normal callerID works good. The $7 "wildcard" FXS pci card from ebay works ok too. I have two of those in my box. The callerID works perfect with those. (echo is a harder beast to tame with the Zaptel stuff, compared to the sipura 3000).
Yes, as you explore deeper, you will find that most anything can be accomplished with Asterisk and some good scripting..
I have several SIP providers registered for incoming/outgoing calls. I have Asterisk configured with a handful of dialing entries to help parse-out all the local calls to POTS, and all the LD calls to one of the free LD SIP services. VoipJet is a good choice for outgoing. I use them as backup, so if something goes wrong (or someone is on the POTS line), it will send the call out on VoipJet. Personally, the quality on VoipJet is really good.. I guess that is a matter of opinion, based on use and location..
I am concerned with the speed of your machine. You posted that you will use a 350MHz machine? I was using a 450MHz machine and found that sometimes, calls would get choppy. This has a lot to do with CODECs and if the linux box is trying to do anyting else (deliver email with voicemail attachments, etc.).. So, I upgraded to a 933MHz and now things seem OK.
If you just want a quick "asterisk box", you might want to look at the Asterisk LIVE CD. It is not the "asterisk at home" package, and is non-destructive-- it can run with NO hard drive. Just pop in the CD and a memory-stick and you're ready to go. Your custom configuration files get stored on the memory-stick. This is a great way to get up and running instantly, and to see what the fuss is all about without having to stay up all night for many,many days.. | |
Prayer
join:2001-12-29
Warminster, PA
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| Great replies all!
rcilink: what do I give up by using only ONE network card ? I, too might want to call home to get dialtone, just haven't thought much about it yet. I have only 3 PCI slots. Digium cards are so expensive even per FXO.
You mentioned one card hard to cancel echo, is that the "wildcard"? I plan to connect a stripped Verizon line with an FXO and also to connect Sunrocket, like to do direct but suspect that I need to use another FXO due to being locked out of gizmo. (I could reuse the gizmo for 2 more extensions if I found admin pwd). I also have Stanaphone, 2 FWDs, plus others. I figure on having 8 extensions all ring on incoming calls first to pick up gets it. Others will be able to dial out on other lines then. Or maybe to use code to connect to existing conversation.
Yes, I plan on using the Live CD. I heard that it has a router/firewall application included too. So the 350MHz PII (not celeron) will be dedicated to router/firewall/Asterisk usage.
Hmmm, although having a mail server sounds intriguing.....
Would the "easy" answer be:
Get 2 Sipura 3k, one 16port switch, one/two network cards and use 3 or so ATAs for the extensions in addition to the FXSs of the 3ks. ? That would leave one or two spare slots for future needs, hah! I'd be using the LiveCD with 512M USB memory, but no hard drive, monitor, kbd, mouse etc.
Will I be able to set up voice mail saving to the USB memory ? It would be USB 1.x speeds due to old machine. | |
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