[Leaplist] Askerisk - PBX

[patrick]

hanks, Jeff!

Jeff Iddings wrote:
> 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. :)

OK!
> 
>> 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.

Got it, 532Mb download, took 11 minutes on my Brighthouse cable...

> 
>  > 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.

There is a solution, for the Linksys PAP2, I've found.  Using an
Ethernet cross over cable to a computer, the internal program is altered
to allow other services to connect!  This VOIP modem was free after
rebate at some office stores.
> 
>> 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.
> 

Very good!  Can do!  Have several splitters.  Also have my crimpers, and
1,000 RJ11X plugs, if anyone needs some!  (Garage sales are great
sources for new parts!)

>> 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.

No Regulatory fees?  So sick of being taxed to death!

> 
> Hope that helps!
> 
> 
> Jeff Iddings
> Linux Technology Group, Inc.
> www.linuxtechnologygroup.com
> _______________________________________________

I will check out Teliax! Thanks!