Getting along with Asterisk

We are setting up an Asterisk based PBX system for the new office. I have done a fair deal of research on Asterisk so far and have a few observations.

• Asterisk is a real solid system for enterprise use. It gives you PBX, Voicemail, VoIP and a lot more.
• There is a steep learning curve. The components involved, permutations possible and configuration – they all make it complicated to get a system ready.
• There is not enough documentation about intermediate / advanced level configurations.  The Asterisk: The Future of Telephony book is an excellent read, but you will have to read it twice and try things out to actually get a hang of things. AsteriskGuru has a good deal of tutorials. The Asterisk Wiki too is a very good place for information.
• When you configure Asterisk, do not use the sample configuration at the start. You will get confused. Rather, make your own dial plans and channel configurations. You will learn the best that way.
• Different softphones may work differently. eyeBeam is a good option for Linux and Windows. SJPhone is good for Mac.
• Echo and noise on the line are two things you may have to work around. We are not getting echo, but a lot of noise. Have to figure out how to cut that out.
• There is a lot of customization possible. Be ready to figure out things on your own.
• The quality of pre-recorded messages and music on hold, is great! We really liked it.
• Be willing to give Asterisk some time. You will appreciate the power once you get into it. Do not run away looking at the complexity.
• Take expert advice: Vaibhav and Mitul are two of my sources!

As of now, we have got a fresh install of Asterisk on a dual core machine. We are able to do call extensions on the network. There is a basic dial plan in place. And I have spec’d out the remaining things. Got an LDAP module compiled today. Have freePBX setup. Need to pull things together and hook them up with the Tata PRI ISDN connection we have taken.

I believe I will have some more on this in the next week!