Asterisk@Home TutorialAsterisk@Home Tutorial

Kerry GarrisonKerry GarrisonDirector of Technical ServicesDirector of Technical Services

Tech Data ProsTech Data Pros

(949) 502-7819 (888) I-DO-VOIP(949) 502-7819 (888) I-DO-VOIPkerryg@techdatapros.comkerryg@techdatapros.comhttp://techdatapros.comhttp://techdatapros.com

PublisherPublisherhttp://VOIPSpeak.nethttp://VOIPSpeak.net

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@Home

http://asteriskathome.sourceforge.nethttp://asteriskathome.sourceforge.net

What is a PBX?What is a PBX?

Private Branch ExchangePrivate Branch Exchange Connects office telephony equipment to PSTN (Public Connects office telephony equipment to PSTN (Public

Switched Telephone Network)Switched Telephone Network) Manages internal extensionsManages internal extensions Voicemail / Message IndicatorsVoicemail / Message Indicators Transfers / Hold / Conf CallsTransfers / Hold / Conf Calls Typically large box hanging on a wall somewhere in Typically large box hanging on a wall somewhere in

“the phone room”“the phone room” ExpensiveExpensive Difficult to manage (have to call the phone guy)Difficult to manage (have to call the phone guy) Very limited in choices of telephonesVery limited in choices of telephones

Asterisk PBXAsterisk PBX

Open Source Software (Free)Open Source Software (Free) Runs on standard PC hardwareRuns on standard PC hardware Uses inexpensive cards to connect to Uses inexpensive cards to connect to

PSTN, T1/E1, ISDNPSTN, T1/E1, ISDN Ability to use ITSP’sAbility to use ITSP’s Uses standard protocols (SIP, IAX)Uses standard protocols (SIP, IAX) Lots of telephone choicesLots of telephone choices By itself, is not very easy to maintainBy itself, is not very easy to maintain

What is Asterisk@HomeWhat is Asterisk@Home Complete ISO image that installs CentOS Linux and Complete ISO image that installs CentOS Linux and

Asterisk PBXAsterisk PBX AAH is a FULL VERSION of Asterisk and is not limited in AAH is a FULL VERSION of Asterisk and is not limited in

any way!any way! Installs in about an hourInstalls in about an hour Includes web-based management toolsIncludes web-based management tools

AMP (Asterisk Management Portal)AMP (Asterisk Management Portal) Handbook project is under wayHandbook project is under way Lots of community supportLots of community support

Geek GazetteGeek Gazette Nerd VittlesNerd Vittles SlashdotSlashdot VOIPSpeak.netVOIPSpeak.net

AAH vs CompetitionAAH vs Competition

Fonality PBXtraFonality PBXtra Pre-packaged system ready to installPre-packaged system ready to install Limited telephone supportLimited telephone support Good for small systemsGood for small systems

SwitchVoxSwitchVox Excellent interfaceExcellent interface Limited hardware supportLimited hardware support System is locked down except via web interfaceSystem is locked down except via web interface

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@Home Interface is not very attractive (AMP)Interface is not very attractive (AMP) Will run on wide variety of hardware (not always a good thing)Will run on wide variety of hardware (not always a good thing) Full access to config files and CLI (command line interface)Full access to config files and CLI (command line interface)

AAH Hardware CompatibilityAAH Hardware Compatibility Server requires minimum hardware specsServer requires minimum hardware specs

We have run it on PIII 500mhz 384mb RAMWe have run it on PIII 500mhz 384mb RAM SoftphoneSoftphone

X-LiteX-Lite SJPhoneSJPhone IAXCommIAXComm

Hard PhoneHard Phone Sipura SPA-841Sipura SPA-841 Grandstream GXP-2000Grandstream GXP-2000 Polycom VOIP PhonesPolycom VOIP Phones Cisco VOIP PhonesCisco VOIP Phones SNOM SIP PhonesSNOM SIP Phones Zultys VOIP PhonesZultys VOIP Phones Many othersMany others

Analog Telephone AdapterAnalog Telephone Adapter Sipura ATA’sSipura ATA’s Grandstream ATA’sGrandstream ATA’s Cisco ATA’sCisco ATA’s Digium IAXyDigium IAXy OthersOthers

Telephony ConnectivityTelephony Connectivity

ITSP ServiceITSP Service BroadVoiceBroadVoice IAX.ccIAX.cc VoicePulseVoicePulse VoipJetVoipJet Many, many othersMany, many others

PSTN ConnectionPSTN Connection Intel Chipset modem (X100P Cards)Intel Chipset modem (X100P Cards) Digium FXO/FXS, T1, E1, etcDigium FXO/FXS, T1, E1, etc Sipura SPA-3000 (PSTN Connection)Sipura SPA-3000 (PSTN Connection)

Telephone ConnectivityTelephone Connectivity A brief word on using ITSP’sA brief word on using ITSP’s

Our company has tested over a dozen and so far have all been very reliable with Our company has tested over a dozen and so far have all been very reliable with Broadvoice being the primary exceptionBroadvoice being the primary exception

If you are using your ITSP DID phone number as your primary number, what If you are using your ITSP DID phone number as your primary number, what happens when your connectivity is down or your ITSP is down? Build for this happens when your connectivity is down or your ITSP is down? Build for this scenario!!!scenario!!!

Do not share your data traffic with your phone traffic, use a dedicated broadband Do not share your data traffic with your phone traffic, use a dedicated broadband connection for your phones, downloading a Windows update onto a workstation connection for your phones, downloading a Windows update onto a workstation is enough to destroy your phone serviceis enough to destroy your phone service

Don’t put all your eggs into one basket, get setup with at least two ITSP’s so you Don’t put all your eggs into one basket, get setup with at least two ITSP’s so you have some level of failoverhave some level of failover

How does using an ITSP save you money?How does using an ITSP save you money? Most do not have monthly service charges, this can save you hundreds of dollars Most do not have monthly service charges, this can save you hundreds of dollars

a month right therea month right there Rates are usually 1.5 – 2 cents per minute, this can be a minor cost savingsRates are usually 1.5 – 2 cents per minute, this can be a minor cost savings Elimination of long distance charges across the US and often into dozens of Elimination of long distance charges across the US and often into dozens of

other countries. Depending on your phone usage, this can be a massive savingsother countries. Depending on your phone usage, this can be a massive savings

Basic Functions - ExtensionsBasic Functions - Extensions

An extension is an individually An extension is an individually addressable locationaddressable location MailboxMailbox TelephoneTelephone

Mailboxes and telephone devices may be tied Mailboxes and telephone devices may be tied together via the AMP interfacetogether via the AMP interface

Ring GroupRing Group QueueQueue

Accessing VoicemailAccessing Voicemail

Asterisk’s voicemail is called Comedian MailAsterisk’s voicemail is called Comedian Mail AlisonAlison

From any extension or when dialing into the From any extension or when dialing into the system, dial *98 to enter the voicemail system. system, dial *98 to enter the voicemail system. You will be given voice prompts telling you what to doYou will be given voice prompts telling you what to do

Using *97 will take you directly to the voice Using *97 will take you directly to the voice mailbox of the extension you are onmailbox of the extension you are on You will then be asked for your passwordYou will then be asked for your password

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@HomeExtension DemonstrationExtension Demonstration

Basic Functions – Ring GroupsBasic Functions – Ring Groups

A ring group is a group of extensions tied A ring group is a group of extensions tied together under one parent extensiontogether under one parent extension

When a ring group extension is dialed, all of the When a ring group extension is dialed, all of the phones in that ring group ring at the same time, phones in that ring group ring at the same time, the first to pick up takes the callthe first to pick up takes the call

Ring groups can consist of external phone Ring groups can consist of external phone numbers such as cell phonesnumbers such as cell phones

A ring group has several settings to determine A ring group has several settings to determine how the calls are handledhow the calls are handled

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@HomeRing Group DemonstrationRing Group Demonstration

Basic Functions - QueuesBasic Functions - Queues

A queue is a holding area for inbound calls so A queue is a holding area for inbound calls so that callers can sit on hold waiting for someone that callers can sit on hold waiting for someone to answer instead of getting a busy signal or to answer instead of getting a busy signal or being forced to immediately leave a messagebeing forced to immediately leave a message

The Asterisk queue system can tell callers their The Asterisk queue system can tell callers their place in the queue and the estimated wait timeplace in the queue and the estimated wait time

Agents must be logged into the queue for calls Agents must be logged into the queue for calls to be routed to themto be routed to them

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@HomeQueue DemonstrationQueue Demonstration

Basic Functions - TrunksBasic Functions - Trunks

A trunk is a circuit that defines an inbound A trunk is a circuit that defines an inbound or outbound connection configuration.or outbound connection configuration.

Zaptel is the standard PSTN trunkZaptel is the standard PSTN trunk SIP/IAX Trunks are for ITSP connectionsSIP/IAX Trunks are for ITSP connections Some trunks may handle inbound, Some trunks may handle inbound,

outbound, or bothoutbound, or both

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@HomeTrunk DemonstrationTrunk Demonstration

Basic Functions - Outbound RulesBasic Functions - Outbound Rules

Outbound rules define what paths an outgoing Outbound rules define what paths an outgoing call will takecall will take

An outbound rule with multiple trunks assigned An outbound rule with multiple trunks assigned acts as a failover in case the preceding trunk is acts as a failover in case the preceding trunk is not availablenot available

Outbound rules are best used for least-cost Outbound rules are best used for least-cost routing by sending certain calls over specific routing by sending certain calls over specific trunks that have the most favorable calling rates trunks that have the most favorable calling rates for the call destinationfor the call destination

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@HomeOutbound Rules DemonstrationOutbound Rules Demonstration

Basic Functions - DiDBasic Functions - DiD

DiD stands for Direct In-DialDiD stands for Direct In-Dial Rules set where a call from a phone number Rules set where a call from a phone number

will go towill go to Employees with their own phone numbersEmployees with their own phone numbers Fax machinesFax machines Toll-Free numbersToll-Free numbers

All inbound lines “should” have a DiD set for All inbound lines “should” have a DiD set for future compatibility and maintenancefuture compatibility and maintenance

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@HomeDiD DemonstrationDiD Demonstration

Basic Functions – Auto AttendantBasic Functions – Auto Attendant

Most companies will want an auto-Most companies will want an auto-attendant or “IVR” (Interactive Voice attendant or “IVR” (Interactive Voice Response) system for inbound callsResponse) system for inbound calls

Building a basic menu system in AMP is Building a basic menu system in AMP is fairly simplefairly simple

Complex, multi-level IVR systems are also Complex, multi-level IVR systems are also possible with AMP/AAHpossible with AMP/AAH

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@HomeAuto Attendant DemonstrationAuto Attendant Demonstration

Basic Functions – Incoming CallsBasic Functions – Incoming Calls

The Incoming Calls configuration ties all The Incoming Calls configuration ties all the inbound configuration togetherthe inbound configuration together

Sets “day” and “night” hoursSets “day” and “night” hours Sets where incoming calls go toSets where incoming calls go to

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@HomeIncoming Calls DemonstrationIncoming Calls Demonstration

Advanced Settings - NATAdvanced Settings - NAT

There are special considerations to be There are special considerations to be made when running your PBX behind a made when running your PBX behind a routerrouter This really only affects remote extensions and This really only affects remote extensions and

ITSP connectivityITSP connectivity Edit sip.conf and set the localnet and externip Edit sip.conf and set the localnet and externip

settingssettings Remote extensions must have NAT=yes in Remote extensions must have NAT=yes in

their configuationtheir configuation

Advanced Settings – Time & NetworkAdvanced Settings – Time & Network

Use netconfig to set the IP settings on the serverUse netconfig to set the IP settings on the server Use timeconfig to set the current date and time Use timeconfig to set the current date and time If you have to send outbound email through a If you have to send outbound email through a

specific host (i.e. Cox cable) then edit the specific host (i.e. Cox cable) then edit the sendmail.cf file and set the SmartHost setting to sendmail.cf file and set the SmartHost setting to your SMTP serveryour SMTP server # "Smart" relay host (may be null)# "Smart" relay host (may be null)

DSsmtp.west.cox.netDSsmtp.west.cox.net

Advanced Settings – Updating CentOSAdvanced Settings – Updating CentOS

Yes, just like Windows, Linux system have Yes, just like Windows, Linux system have regular updates too, be sure and keep regular updates too, be sure and keep your server up-to-date.your server up-to-date.

yum –y updateyum –y update

Advanced Settings – Web MeetmeAdvanced Settings – Web Meetme

Web MeetMe is a conference room Web MeetMe is a conference room system for use by all userssystem for use by all users

Prepend 8 to the extensions to access that Prepend 8 to the extensions to access that extension’s MeetMe roomextension’s MeetMe room For extension 200, use 8200For extension 200, use 8200

You can control the room via the web You can control the room via the web interfaceinterface

Asterisk@HomeAsterisk@HomeMeetMe DemonstrationMeetMe Demonstration

Advanced Settings – Updating AsteriskAdvanced Settings – Updating Asterisk

In the past, the AAH install included a script to In the past, the AAH install included a script to update to the current HEAD version of Asterisk, update to the current HEAD version of Asterisk, while this worked in the past, the next version of while this worked in the past, the next version of Asterisk has so many changes, that a simple Asterisk has so many changes, that a simple upgrade script isn’t going to be feasibleupgrade script isn’t going to be feasible

With AAH 2.0, which will include the upcoming With AAH 2.0, which will include the upcoming new version of Asterisk, getting back on a new version of Asterisk, getting back on a scripted upgrade path is most likely not going to scripted upgrade path is most likely not going to be a problembe a problem

Advanced Settings – Remote ExtensionsAdvanced Settings – Remote Extensions

Setting up a remote user is no different Setting up a remote user is no different than setting up a regular userthan setting up a regular user Take into consideration NAT traversal Take into consideration NAT traversal

(localnet, externip on server and nat=yes on (localnet, externip on server and nat=yes on extension config)extension config)

Difficult configurations can sometimes be Difficult configurations can sometimes be overcome by using a STUN serverovercome by using a STUN server

IAX is less prone to NAT problems than SIP IAX is less prone to NAT problems than SIP but very few remote devices support IAX but very few remote devices support IAX todaytoday

SugarCRMSugarCRM

SugarCRM is the premier commercial SugarCRM is the premier commercial open source customer relationship open source customer relationship management application provider, management application provider, breaking the rules set by conventional breaking the rules set by conventional CRM solutions. CRM solutions.

Flash Operator PanelFlash Operator Panel Displays status of all connectionsDisplays status of all connections

ExtensionsExtensions QueuesQueues TrunksTrunks

Enables basic operator functionsEnables basic operator functions Transfer calls: by dragging the phone icon to the destination you want Transfer calls: by dragging the phone icon to the destination you want Hang-up calls: by double clicking on the red button Hang-up calls: by double clicking on the red button Originate calls: by dragging an available extension to an available Originate calls: by dragging an available extension to an available

destination destination Conference calls: You can add a third person to an existing Conference calls: You can add a third person to an existing

conversation by dragging an available extension to a leg of an already conversation by dragging an available extension to a leg of an already connected call. connected call.

Mute/Unmute meetme members: just double click on the arrow of a Mute/Unmute meetme members: just double click on the arrow of a meetme participant meetme participant

Get information about last call: double click on the arrow of an available Get information about last call: double click on the arrow of an available button button

Reporting (CDR)Reporting (CDR)

AAH Contains a good Call Data Reporting AAH Contains a good Call Data Reporting systemsystem

Add-ons include account codesAdd-ons include account codes

Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers

Thank you for comingThank you for coming

Kerry GarrisonKerry GarrisonDirector of Technical ServicesDirector of Technical Services

Tech Data Pros – http://techdatapros.comTech Data Pros – http://techdatapros.com(949) 502-7819 (888) I-DO-VOIP(949) 502-7819 (888) I-DO-VOIP

kerryg@techdatapros.comkerryg@techdatapros.com

PublisherPublisherhttp://VOIPSpeak.nethttp://VOIPSpeak.net