virtual pbx

[DocGreen]

I run my business of a VM install of PIAF Purple... rock solid.

Doc, setting up a GV trunk takes all of about 15 seconds. Have a look at the Nerd Vittles article on it.

Got the GV trunk setup... all I needed to do was get some sleep and look at it again, LOL. Right now I can call out to my heart's content... but for whatever reason I can't take calls. Now... it might be the soft phone I'm testing with (X-Lite). The calls ring in, and I can click to accept them. In the soft phone it says "connected" but on the caller's end it keeps ringing and then goes straight to voicemail. Did manage to setup forwarding to my cell when unavailable... nice feature.

Here's what I want the box to do for me... I want callers to be greeted by an auto-attendant with my recorded "thank you for calling..." message. I would like them to have the option to enter an extension if they know who they want, otherwise wait while it rings my main extension. I also want it to be able to field multiple consecutive calls for me, keeping callers in a queue while I handle the active call.

So... can all that be achieved with a GV trunk? Should I setup more than one GV trunk? (I only plan on using GV for testing and toying around... I'll get an actual SIP trunk if and when I implement this for my business line) And why doesn't the flash operator panel show incoming calls?


/end 20 questions

 

[SAG]

A trunk is a trunk man.
You can do the same thing with your SIP trunk as I can with a PRI.... well, for the most part.

Use your Inbound Routing to direct to a Time Condition that points to one of two IVRs, pretty simple. Or skip the Time Condition part.

If you'd like, I can use my Cepstral software to make the IVR recording for you. I have actually purchased Alison (the voice you hear on the recordings right now).

Hit me up for questions man. I love helping people toy around with phone systems.

 

[DocGreen]

A trunk is a trunk man.
You can do the same thing with your SIP trunk as I can with a PRI.... well, for the most part.

Use your Inbound Routing to direct to a Time Condition that points to one of two IVRs, pretty simple. Or skip the Time Condition part.

If you'd like, I can use my Cepstral software to make the IVR recording for you. I have actually purchased Alison (the voice you hear on the recordings right now).

Hit me up for questions man. I love helping people toy around with phone systems.

Didn't find anything about a Time Condition, but I did see where I could direct my inbound routes to an IVR. Hopefully I'll have some time tomorrow to play around with that. Having a lot of fun so far trying out different features and testing out the capacity. I'm actually really impressed with how well my ancient Dell is handling everything! It looks like it'll be more than adequate for my call volume for foreseeable future. (Which brings up another issue: upgrading a PBX server to new hardware)

I'll definitely hit you up with questions. I'll start taking notes over the next couple days so I can identify the key issues that I'm unclear about. Thanks for the help!

 

[krtechsolutions]

To upgrade to new hardware just do and backup and restore or just copy all your settings over. Time groups and time condition are under the second menu all the way at the bottom.

For recording you call dial your ext and record your messages under system recordings, under the first menu

 

[SAG]

Didn't find anything about a Time Condition, but I did see where I could direct my inbound routes to an IVR. Hopefully I'll have some time tomorrow to play around with that. Having a lot of fun so far trying out different features and testing out the capacity. I'm actually really impressed with how well my ancient Dell is handling everything! It looks like it'll be more than adequate for my call volume for foreseeable future. (Which brings up another issue: upgrading a PBX server to new hardware)

I'll definitely hit you up with questions. I'll start taking notes over the next couple days so I can identify the key issues that I'm unclear about. Thanks for the help!

With an IP PBX, disk time is more important than cpu speed or memory.
I've got 50 extensions running off a 10 line SIP trunk on an atom cpu with 2GB of ram on a 5400 rpm hdd. No problems there.

 

[DocGreen]

Just finished a 1hr call w/ the virtual PBX line... friend from H.S. needed remote support, so I called them using the PBX and talked to them while I worked... when I was done I explained to them that I was testing out a new phone system and asked them about the call quality on their end, said they had no idea I was calling from anything other than a regular old telephone.

That being said, I've noticed some strange background noises in my own test calls... Amanda described it as sounding like wasps having sex (she's a little strange, LOL). Could this be due to the fact that I'm using a Soft Phone & headset instead of a regular SIP phone? Should I wait until I get an actual phone to test with before I go messing with settings in FreePBX?

 

[acscva]

Typically with those type of noises happening it is a problem with configuration of your router to give VOIP priority and some routers have special settings for using VOIP devices.

Here is an example from vocalocity that gives some tips....that you can use with any type of service.

http://support.vocalocity.com/topics/troubleshooting/page/3/

I have been using VOIP type services for almost 10 years including soft phones.

 

[DocGreen]

Typically with those type of noises happening it is a problem with configuration of your router to give VOIP priority and some routers have special settings for using VOIP devices.

Here is an example from vocalocity that gives some tips....that you can use with any type of service.

http://support.vocalocity.com/topics/troubleshooting/page/3/

I have been using VOIP type services for almost 10 years including soft phones.

Ah, good call! I'll have to look through the DD-WRT settings to see if there's anything that should be changed. I'm also going to try testing from a quieter room... I noticed that every time the clock on the wall ticked I heard a strange humming sound just briefly.

 

[SAG]

I noticed that every time the clock on the wall ticked I heard a strange humming sound just briefly.

Is the clock a 110v (plugged in) type?
If so, is it on the same circuit as your computer?
If you answered yes then that sounds like a grounding issue.

As for call quality. Setup two computers with Softphones and make an internal call from one to the other. That will put you on the right track because it will bypass the trunk/internet.

 

[DocGreen]

Is the clock a 110v (plugged in) type?
If so, is it on the same circuit as your computer?
If you answered yes then that sounds like a grounding issue.

As for call quality. Setup two computers with Softphones and make an internal call from one to the other. That will put you on the right track because it will bypass the trunk/internet.

No, it's battery operated... I think the microphone is just really sensitive and is picking up the sound of the tick-tock.



Hey, can anyone recommend a good (working) SIP client for Android? I found one that almost works. 3CXPhone (same as the desktop SIP client I'm using) registers with my PBX and makes/accepts calls properly... but it doesn't handle my phone's hardware right, like it doesn't know the difference between speakerphone mic/speaker and earpiece mic/speaker. I suppose I could try it with bluetooth.

 

[krtechsolutions]

Zoipher is a great sip softphone for android, idevices and computers.

Would anyone buy voip services from a technibble member? I think I am expanding my voip market into the smb market more been focusing on local home users and small businesses

 

[DocGreen]

I've tried CSipSimple, 3CXPhone, Sipdroid, and Zoiper... all 4 have the same problem on my Samsung... they refuse to use the regular mic and instead only use the speakerphone mic (which is located up by the earpiece).

 

[AlaDes]

Like the Doc, I too am interested in learning about pbx systems. I have worked on a few systems, but only to the extent of troubleshooting line problems and switching lines from a dead port to a known good working port.

However, one thing I'm still not understanding is all the hardware I'll need to set everything up. I know I need the server for controlling everything, but what about the lines to each phone? Is there a controller card I'd for a single location setup, with say, 5 extensions? If I need such a device, how do I attach it to the server? Also, please forgive my utter ignorance lol.

 

[krtechsolutions]

Hmm I will have to setup Zoipher on my wife's s3 and she if I have the same issues

For a voip system you need a pbx, voip phones or atas to convert analog phones to a voip system if your looking for a professional system you will want voip phones, trust me you will get a lot more features.

You also will need a sip trunk or an fxo card if you have copper phone lines

 

[DocGreen]

Like the Doc, I too am interested in learning about pbx systems. I have worked on a few systems, but only to the extent of troubleshooting line problems and switching lines from a dead port to a known good working port.

However, one thing I'm still not understanding is all the hardware I'll need to set everything up. I know I need the server for controlling everything, but what about the lines to each phone? Is there a controller card I'd for a single location setup, with say, 5 extensions? If I need such a device, how do I attach it to the server? Also, please forgive my utter ignorance lol.

As I understand it...
The SIP phones connect to your network just like any other device. The server can be pretty much any old box you have lying around, or even a VM on an existing server. I have mine running on an old Dell Dimension. To setup my system, it was as simple as downloading a ready-to-install ISO of "PBX in a Flash" that installed CentOS, Asterisk, FreePBX, and some other stuff. For my trunk I just created a Google Voice account (don't use an existing one), and then followed a simple guide to link my PBX to GV, created a couple extensions, installed a couple soft phones (don't have actual phones yet, just testing), defined some routes, and voila! Instant phone system!

Hmm I will have to setup Zoipher on my wife's s3 and she if I have the same issues

Thanks for looking into that. My phone's an S-1, so the issue may have been resolved in the S-3. (I'd hope so... planning on upgrading to the S3 soon)

 

[AlaDes]

As I understand it...
The SIP phones connect to your network just like any other device. The server can be pretty much any old box you have lying around, or even a VM on an existing server. I have mine running on an old Dell Dimension. To setup my system, it was as simple as downloading a ready-to-install ISO of "PBX in a Flash" that installed CentOS, Asterisk, FreePBX, and some other stuff. For my trunk I just created a Google Voice account (don't use an existing one), and then followed a simple guide to link my PBX to GV, created a couple extensions, installed a couple soft phones (don't have actual phones yet, just testing), defined some routes, and voila! Instant phone system!

After I posted my question about hardware, I releaized what a "duh" moment I had lol. I'm assuming for an in house install of 5 extensions I would need the server, two nics in it (one for internet access and the other for a switch or router), and 5 phones that will connect to the switch or router.

 

[SAG]

After I posted my question about hardware, I releaized what a "duh" moment I had lol. I'm assuming for an in house install of 5 extensions I would need the server, two nics in it (one for internet access and the other for a switch or router), and 5 phones that will connect to the switch or router.

1 NIC, not two.
There is absolutely no reason to ever have an interface with a public IP.
NAT that server, forward the SIP and RTP ports (if necessary), and still use IPTABLES on the server to only allow the trunk provider in.
SIP servers are a hot ticket item for automated scan/attacks.

 

[DocGreen]

1 NIC, not two.
There is absolutely no reason to ever have an interface with a public IP.
NAT that server, forward the SIP and RTP ports (if necessary), and still use IPTABLES on the server to only allow the trunk provider in.
SIP servers are a hot ticket item for automated scan/attacks.

^^THIS^^


My box only uses 1 gigabit NIC.


Now here's my question for those of you who know... How reliable is GV as a trunk? I'm looking at possibly putting my PBX into production soon for my business line. I understand the reliability of the PBX itself and that doesn't bother me as I have direct control over how reliable it is. But the trunk is what really concerns me. Has anyone been using a GV trunk in a real-world application? Anyone ever have any issues with calls not coming in or GV being flaky? Should I have more than one trunk? (if yes, more details on that please)

 

[SAG]

^^THIS^^


My box only uses 1 gigabit NIC.


Now here's my question for those of you who know... How reliable is GV as a trunk? I'm looking at possibly putting my PBX into production soon for my business line. I understand the reliability of the PBX itself and that doesn't bother me as I have direct control over how reliable it is. But the trunk is what really concerns me. Has anyone been using a GV trunk in a real-world application? Anyone ever have any issues with calls not coming in or GV being flaky? Should I have more than one trunk? (if yes, more details on that please)

I have several GV trunks. I would like to say they are perfect but they are not. Quality is great, and uptime is about 99%. AFAIK, I have never *missed* a call. In your GV settings just make sure that both GT and your phone number are checked. That way, if the Jabber connection fails it will still ring your cell phone.
MY home phone number has been a GV trunk for.... 3 years now I guess.
I have a GV trunk for my business Hylafax server as well.
But remember, nothing that is free is 100% and will last forever.

 

[SAG]

The reason I have several GV trunks is because I have other *users* that connect remotely to my SIP server for phone service.... just family and friends, who are fully aware of what is taking place. I snagged a bunch of cheap Grandstream phones for $25 a pop for them and provide the trunk.