Testing with Asterisk@Home

[mattpark]

Im just chucking together a system made from random computer bits scattered about the house, which i intend to install and play about with Asterisk@home.

For those of you who are not sure what Asterisk is, their own definition is:

The Asterisk@Home project enables the home user to quickly set up a VOIP Asterisk PBX. A web GUI makes configuration and operation easy. We also provide an xPL (home automation) interface for easy interaction with other devices in the home.

If i remember correctly, Asterisk@home is simply a distribution packge of the normal Asterisk (found here: http://www.asterisk.org/ ), on top of the operating system CentOS.

I'm 40% through the 500 odd meg download, so when i've had chance to play about, i'll report back with my experiance!

Main Asterisk@Home site - http://asteriskathome.sourceforge.net/
Sourceforge Download Site - http://sourceforge.net/projects/asteriskathome

Cheers

Matt

[MrMan]

I have been using asterisk@home for just over a month now. I have messed with it in the past, but never had a permanent setup available.

So, I downloaded the ISO, which did not take too long on my nice new 8mb connection, routed a cat 5 to the hallway cupboard, persuaded mum that it’s a good idea to have a PC in the hallway cupboard, and installed everything.
I installed it on a Dell Optiplex 100 with the following specifications

Processor 560 MHz Celeron (Coppermine)
3Gb Hard disk
96 Mb RAM

So, it was installed, and I logged into its web interface, and started playing with all the available options. Did not take long at all to get a few extensions running, and a few trunks. I have my trunks set up like the following example, this one is for Sipgate.


Outgoing Dial Rules
0044+XXXXXXXXXX
0044191+XXXXXXX
0044XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX

Outgoing Settings
allow=gsm
authuser=USERNAME
context=from-pstn
disallow=all
dtmfmode=info
fromdomain=sipgate.co.uk
fromuser=USERNAME
host=sipgate.co.uk
insecure=very
qualify=yes
secret=PASSWORD
type=peer
username=USERNAME

(The allow= and disallow= options defind which codecs are allowed on this trunk. I have allowed only gsm, as it saves on bandwidth gratly, and sounds ok. If you remove both of these options the system will use the default U/A Law codecs)

Incoming settings
Blank… I don’t fill in this…

Registration
USERNAME:PASSWORD@sipgate.co.uk/USERNAME


The system worked rather well with its specifications, but I wanted to do more than just run asterisk. I am now running a samba file server (for windows) and a few other things. Now running with these specifications

Processor 560 MHz Celeron (Coppermine)
20Gb Hard disk
384 Mb RAM

I have asterisk running a feature called callback too, this means I can call a number I have chosen, and have it disconnect me, and then call back to the phone I was calling from. This can make calls cheaper in some circumstances.

That’s all for now, I will post some more information on my setup when I get time, for now if you have any questions, let me know!

I can often be contacted on the FWD welcome line 55555@fwd.pulver.com (and a lot of other nice volunteers sometimes pick up).

I can also be contacted directly on 30120747@voipfone.co.uk

[mattpark]

Mrman,

Im all setup and running nicely. (will post more info later)

The only issue im having is with sendmail.

Not reciving any voicemail notifications, or incoming faxes.

Have set smtp server in /etc/mail/sendmail.mc
ran make -C /etc/mail
then restarted sendmail but no avail.

Have you got sendmail running?

Matt

[MrMan]

Nope i have not tried to get it working yet, however i will look into that right now.

[mattpark]

Any luck mr man... i think a FQDN is needed.

You need to install the pdf extention as root too.

Had to give up playing before but i'll have a look later tonight.

[MrMan]

Nope i could not work it out either!

Don't really need it though, so not too bothered myself

[mattpark]

Hmmm... how annyoing!

Im not going to let this beat me. Running out of space to slot these machines in round my desk mind you... up to four now, with 3 screens too.



What have you put in your reslov.conf file?

Matt

[MrMan]

To be honest i have not put anything in yet! Not touched it

[kyron]

I have had it installed on my slug (nslu-2) fkor quite a while nmow and allsw cool