Configuring and Testing Zaptel Hardware
When you install a T1 or FXO/FXS PCI card into an Asterisk PBX, most of the time, you will be using Zaptel drivers to communicate with the card. A little bit of history is required to explain the Zaptel name.
Zaptel History Lesson
The original FXO/FXS interface was developed by Jim Dixon around 1990 and it was a revolutionary idea in the telephony world. He named the cards after the Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata and the first card Tormenta which means storm. He placed the designs on the net and the rest is history. Here's his story in his own words.
The Process of Loading Modules
Note: There is going to be more information presented on the next pages than needed to make the zaptel cards work. The excess of information is to provide the maximum information to you for when things go wrong!
The loading and configuring of Zaptel cards is divided into 3 main areas:
- Linux Kernel Zapata Module
- Zaptel Card Drivers
- Asterisk Zapata Interface
Part 1 - Linux Kernel Zapata Module
The process of loading the Zaptel modules start with the Linux kernel. Since Linux Version 2.6 kernel, the Zapata kernel module has been part of the kernel. We don't have to worry about installing the Zapata kernel module but we do have to verify that the specific Zaptel modules are being loaded for the cards that we have installed.
The first task is to determine if the Zapata kernel module is being loaded. You can try and view the boot time messages as they rapidly scroll past during the boot process or more simply view them at the Linux command line by typing:
root@pbx:~ $ dmesg | less (this views the boot messages)
You will be looking to determine the version of the Linux Zapata kernel module for the cards. If you run into problems, the first question that you will be asked is "Do you have the latest Zapata version?". Now you know how to find it.
Multiple zaptel cards and udev Problems
With version 2.6 of the Linux kernel, a new device driver system was incorporated called udev. It's purpose is to provide consistency in the loading of devices so that they will always be recognized uniquely. If you have multiple zaptel cards, then visit the Zaptel and udev problem page .
Next the zaptel card drivers must be configured, go to Part 2 - Zaptel Card Drivers
