[Leaplist] Askerisk - PBX

[Jeff Iddings]

patrick wrote:
> Replacement? Probably Asterisk, by Digium.  Open Source, uses any PIII
> 500 cpu with 128MB RAM, runs in GNU/Linux, with a development in the
> Debian teams, and also works on other FOSS systems, such as the *BSDs.

Good choice. :)

> 
> But, as is usual, there is too much info out there.  Starting with a
> wiki that really doesn't explain it in user friendly terms as to
> potential uses, up to the search engine return of manuals of hundreds of
> pages!

> Looking for a simple overview, in a single page, that covers typical
> hardware, uses, how to use in a single home.

http://www.asteriskdocs.org/ - Asterisk is not a simple application.
There's not going to be a one page how to.. though if you want to dumb
it down, I suggest Digium's "Asterisk Now" or their recently purchased
SwitchVox. These both come with nice front ends, but limit some of the
flexibility that native Asterisk gives you. I believe Asterisk Now is
actually a complete Linux distro.

 > 1.  Does Askerisk work with any of the free standing Skype or Vonage
> phone modems?  I know how to program the Linksys Vonage system to use
> any service and not be locked into the Vonage trap.

Typically not. Most of their hardware is locked to service. I'd suggest
a Grandstream HandyTone ATA 286 or a Linksys ATA (the model name escapes
me). This is the same type of device you'd get from Vonage.

> 2. Can a home system have 4 phones, through pre-wired wall jacks, on the
> system?

Simple. Go out to the box and disconnect the pair running from the
street to your NID (phone box outside). Then you just plug the ATA into
one of the phone jackets and dial tone will be on all your phones. If
you want to use the outlet where the ATA is, you may have to purchase a
$3 two way splitter.

> 3. How do the phone numbers get selected or assigned in this system?

Through a ITSP - I use www.teliax.com -- they work pretty well. They
have pay as you go rates, so it's cheap if you don't talk much... There
are others. They just need to support SIP and provide be able to provide
a local number.

Hope that helps!


Jeff Iddings
Linux Technology Group, Inc.
www.linuxtechnologygroup.com