asterisk win32 and ivr - save the flounder(er)

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mre86

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#14036 12-Jun-2007 11:35

Hi,
Has anybody setup asteriskwin32 and got the IVR working.
Firstly, excuse me for missing on any techno jargon but I'm new to workings of VOIP, etc.

I have web based database maintained using application written in ASP ie. microsoft.
I'm wanting to put together a simple process to query this database from a mobile or land-line.
I originally thought of just using SMS messaging that recieves a key number and date, queries the database on the selection and return the response formatted in SMS text message.
Then looking around I found all this detail on Asterisk and thought that sounds groovy.
I satarted looking at idea of a simple IVR to recieve a call, ask a couple questions, query the database on the selection and return response.

I dont have a box setup with linux and connect to web via telstra cable modem which is networked via a D-link DI-624S router.
Now when I found Asterixwin32, I thought cool, that would save me setting up linux box etc.
However, having downloaded and running the setup, I am now at a loss and are just floundering around.

What I need to know is what to do now:
1) It seems you can buy to updgrade AsteriskWin32 which means I can get more.... of what?
2) Do I need to buy something/download/set up something else to be able to get calls intercepted.
- I seem to be missing something => my phone ---????--- telstra cable modem ---????--- asteriswin32 (dialplan) --??-- database .
3) Should I forget sticking to windows and set up Trixbox on a linux box like Tony suggests (I know the real answer but really can I get away with win32 option).
4) If I go the Trixbox option, how do I setup the asterisk to talk to my ASP web based database and any suggestions on hosting that?

Confused?????? you bet!!!!!

willnz

573 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#74382 12-Jun-2007 13:01

mre86: Hi,
Has anybody setup asteriskwin32 and got the IVR working.
Firstly, excuse me for missing on any techno jargon but I'm new to workings of VOIP, etc.

I have web based database maintained using application written in ASP ie. microsoft.
I'm wanting to put together a simple process to query this database from a mobile or land-line.
I originally thought of just using SMS messaging that recieves a key number and date, queries the database on the selection and return the response formatted in SMS text message.
Then looking around I found all this detail on Asterisk and thought that sounds groovy.
I satarted looking at idea of a simple IVR to recieve a call, ask a couple questions, query the database on the selection and return response.

I dont have a box setup with linux and connect to web via telstra cable modem which is networked via a D-link DI-624S router.
Now when I found Asterixwin32, I thought cool, that would save me setting up linux box etc.
However, having downloaded and running the setup, I am now at a loss and are just floundering around.

What I need to know is what to do now:
1) It seems you can buy to updgrade AsteriskWin32 which means I can get more.... of what?
2) Do I need to buy something/download/set up something else to be able to get calls intercepted.
- I seem to be missing something => my phone ---????--- telstra cable modem ---????--- asteriswin32 (dialplan) --??-- database .
3) Should I forget sticking to windows and set up Trixbox on a linux box like Tony suggests (I know the real answer but really can I get away with win32 option).
4) If I go the Trixbox option, how do I setup the asterisk to talk to my ASP web based database and any suggestions on hosting that?

Confused?????? you bet!!!!!

Hi,

Firstly, I wouldn't recommend using AsteriskWin32 for a production type asterisk server. It's not very stable in my opinion, and you're probably asking for trouble.

Secondly, you need to get yourself hooked up to a voip provider. Someone like WxC, or Slingshot's iTalk service is a good place to start - WxC's VFX service allows you to bring an existing number over to them as well though, whereas I don't believe iTalk allow this as yet. You will also need an ATA device such as the Linksys PAP2T (less than $100 and allows you to have two phone lines) if you want to use a standard telephone over VoIP.

In regards to Trixbox - I'd say this is your best bet. From what I hear (I use the full Asterisk, which is a bit different) - Trixbox is rather simple and straight forward to setup. To use an Access database, I guess this might be possible with app_dbodbc - but I wouldn't imagine this is an easy feat for someone just starting out with VoIP - so it may be an idea to get someone to help you out with that...

mre86

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#74526 13-Jun-2007 16:30

Secondly, you need to get yourself hooked up to a voip provider. Someone like WxC, or Slingshot's iTalk service is a good place to start - WxC's VFX service allows you to bring an existing number over to them as well though, whereas I don't believe iTalk allow this as yet. You will also need an ATA device such as the Linksys PAP2T (less than $100 and allows you to have two phone lines) if you want to use a standard telephone over VoIP.

In regards to Trixbox - I'd say this is your best bet. From what I hear (I use the full Asterisk, which is a bit different) - Trixbox is rather simple and straight forward to setup. To use an Access database, I guess this might be possible with app_dbodbc - but I wouldn't imagine this is an easy feat for someone just starting out with VoIP - so it may be an idea to get someone to help you out with that...

Thanks
As the gods would have it, WxC have recently taken over my tolls from Telstra
So if I sign up to their VFX service and put trixbox on my old pc and buy myself a Linksys PAP2T
What then, how does it all link up. Something like this or not?
phone ----------- WxC ------- cable modem ------ PAP2T ------- PC (Trixbox ------ SqlSrver )

Is there anything else I need from WxC?
Can the phone be one of my home phones or softphone on other PC? in which case how does that look, does it go out to WxC or just stay in own network.
So many questions, am I heading right way?

willnz

573 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#74543 13-Jun-2007 18:54

mre86:

As the gods would have it, WxC have recently taken over my tolls from Telstra
So if I sign up to their VFX service and put trixbox on my old pc and buy myself a Linksys PAP2T
What then, how does it all link up. Something like this or not?
phone ----------- WxC ------- cable modem ------ PAP2T ------- PC (Trixbox ------ SqlSrver )

Is there anything else I need from WxC?
Can the phone be one of my home phones or softphone on other PC? in which case how does that look, does it go out to WxC or just stay in own network.
So many questions, am I heading right way?

If you're using WxC (who don't yet support Asterisk), then you'd also need a single port FXO card in your computer (this is basically just a voice modem - but it's gotta be a special one - www.digitnetworks.com has some el-cheapo clones for around $50NZD once all the shipping costs are taken into consideration). Tony has an excellent guide on how to set this up. Basically, this allows you to plug the PAP2T's phone port directly into your Trixbox PC.

If you go for something like iTalk, you simply need to set this up in Trixbox. Then, your PAP2T (connected to your trixbox over local network), will be configured to send and receive calls to/from the Trixbox machine. So it works like this:

phone -> pap2t -> trixbox -> modem -> italk -> called party

And yes, the PAP2T has two RJ-11 ports to plug phones into. You can buy an RJ11 to BT (standard phone plug) adaptor from your local Dick Smith store I believe, probably around $10-$15.

mre86

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#74680 14-Jun-2007 15:31

Thanks again.

I think from reading forums that WxC VFX gets a better rap than Italk so I prob go that way.
While travelling the forums, I read one about someone having probs with the X100P and thinking much better to go straight to SPA 3000 (a little extra up front rather than buy cheap then upgrade anyway).
What do you reckon on that?

willnz

573 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#74682 14-Jun-2007 15:51

that's a fantastic idea ! :)

I've never thought of doing it that way - I may give it a go myself heh! thanks :D

mre86

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#75626 22-Jun-2007 11:45

scuse my ignorance but you said I need the PAP2T and X100P card

Now, can the SPA3000 to replace both of above or just the X100P. (ie. do I still need the PAP2T )

willnz

573 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#75627 22-Jun-2007 11:58

mre86: scuse my ignorance but you said I need the PAP2T and X100P card

Now, can the SPA3000 to replace both of above or just the X100P. (ie. do I still need the PAP2T )

Just had a look on WxC's website, it doesn't mention if they support the SPA3000. However they do support the SPA3102, which is the same as the SPA3000 but also includes a built in ethernet router, and has double the memory I believe. I can probably source you an SPA3102 for about $200, PM me for details if you like.

So, you'd just need an SPA3102, and not the PAP2T as well. If you got the SPA3000, you may still need to get a PAP2T. PAP2T's are around $100.

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rphenix

985 posts

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#78966 20-Jul-2007 12:11

instead of using the win32 port of asterisk, i would recommend using a virtualmachine. I can recommend http://www.davereyn.co.uk/download.htm (Qemu Manager) which has an installer that installs everything you need. I have trixbox setup this way to use for testing :)

You could of course use the free vmware server but I found it slow as...

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79316 posts

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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#78969 20-Jul-2007 12:20

I use Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1. It's fast and it's a service, so no need for anyone to login to have the virtual machine running.

I have to install Asterisk on a virtual machine and start playing...