PBX in a Flash for Newbies

Introduction to PBX in a Flash

Asterisk PBX is a free open source PC based private branch exchange (PBX) application originally developed by Digium. It runs on Linux platforms and comes in many different distributions. A distribution is a complete software package on CD that includes everything that the originator of the distribution feels is required to install and run an Asterisk PBX server. Examples of distributions are the orginal Asterisk PBX release, SwitchVOX and PBX in a Flash.

The distributions may consist of the Linux operating system, Asterisk PBX, administration tools, databases, web servers, email servers, dhcp servers, etc.. This website concentrates on the PBX in a Flash distribution for several reasons:

• It is a very complete distribution that contains everything that is needed to install and configure an Asterisk PBX quickly. The flash refers to getting up and running in a flash (not a flash drive)
• Provides automatic updates of modules
• Uses the FreePBX web client configuration tool - great GUI configuration tool!
• The only distribution that allows you to dual boot with WinXP so that you can test and fool around with Asterisk PBX

Basic Information to get Started

1. System Summary
   • Want to know more about the architecture of the PBX in a Flash distribution of Asterisk PBX? This is the place.
2. Installation
   • Tips and procedure on how to install PBX in a Flash on to a PC
3. Users and Passwords
   • This is a work under progress (as of April 28, 2008). My goal is to clear up the confusion on the multitude of administrators and passwords and consolidate the administrator accounts for the main systems. Basically create order out of chaos!
4. Testing Zaptel Hardware
   • How to verify that your Zaptel hardware is working correctly
5. Logging on to Linux, Asterisk CLI, FreePBX and Webmin
   • Working with the four main user interfaces: Linux command line (CentOS distribution), Asterisk command line interface (CLI), FreePBX (web-based Asterisk configuration GUI) and Webmin (web-based non Asterisk stuff configuration GUI)
6. Stopping the System
   • In order to shutdown Asterisk, you must follow a certain order otherwise your configuration will be corrupted (experience talking).
7. Where to find Help!
   • System Summary
     Want to know more about the Asterisk PBX system? This is the place with links to some very nice pdfs and websites.
   • Server Help!
     There are several help menus available on the server. Here's where to find them and what those commands are that whiz by the screen so fast you can't read them!
   • Visit the PBX in a Flash Forums
     There's many forum members who are more than willing to help you. They've probably already solved the problems that you are trying to fix
   • Visit the FreePBX Forums
     Another group of helpful Asterisk users who will go the extra distance to help
8. Configuration Files
   • Here's the scoop on the configuration files that are used by PBX in a Flash. This webpage will give a brief overview of the configuration files, where they are located, what they do and if you can or cannot modify them.
9. A word about Extensions and Dial Plans
   • Don't manually edit those dialplans yet! There's some things you should know about FreePBX and .conf files
10. Setting the Time Straight!
    • Synchronizing the time on the phones, server and voice mail. Easier than it looks and makes everyone happy!
11. Installing Modules
    • From time to time, you will have to upgrade or install a module. This webpage steps you through installing an example: IVR Module
12. Feature Codes
    • PBX in a Flash comes pre-configured with standard feature codes that are accessible from an extension's dial keypad.
13. Setting up a SIP phone extension
    • How to get a Snom 190 VOIP phone working with Asterisk PBX using FreePBX
14. Setting up a softphone extension
    • Turn your PC into a VOIP phone using the free X-lite softphone application
15. Setting up a POTS to SIP ATA IAX trunk
    • Here's where you'll find information on configuring and using a Digium IAXy S100I device to convert a POTS phone to a VOIP phone
16. Setting up a POTS phone extensions
    • You've heard of FXS ports, here's how to configure your FXS port for use with a POTS phone.
17. Setting up a POTS line trunk
    • If you want to connect the Asterisk PBX to the local phone line. The FXO port is what you need to use.
18. Setting up a Digital Receptionist
    • Here's information on how to setup the Interactive Voice Response's Digital Receptionist.
    • Install the IVR module if its not already installed
    • Setup the system voice menu and the Digital Receptionist menus
    • Setup an Inbound Route to use the Digital Receptionist
19. Connecting two Asterisk PBX servers
    • The time has come to connect two PBX in a Flash servers together. There's a number of ways to do it.
      • Connect the two PBXs using the IAX2 trunking protocol.
      • Connect the two PBXs using the SIP protocol
      • Connect the two PBXs using the DUNDi protocol (pdf)
20. Setting up Voice Mail
    • Here's how to setup and access the built-in voice mail system
    • Here's a handy dandy voice mail flowchart (pdf) so you can figure out which key to press and when.
    • Here's how to access the voicemail through the FreePBX web interface
    • And finally how to send the voicemail as an email notice and attachment
21. Testing the Connection
    • Asterisk provides basic testing services to determine if the extension is working correctly.
22. Configuring a firewall to pass external VOIP traffic
    • You have Asterisk configured - how do you allow external VOIP traffic to pass through your firewall to the local network?
23. The beautiful Webmin web based server configuration tool
    • Once you get your feet wet configuring basic extensions and trunks, then you are ready to move on to other things. One of these things is configuring the non Asterisk specific functions. Webmin's job is to provide a graphic user interface (GUI) that configures all of the text based configuration files.

Resources

• PBX in a Flash
  The distribution of Asterisk PBX that includes CentOS, FreePBX and a host of other vital programs
  
• PiaF Without Tears
  Here's a great downloadable resource (208 page pdf) from Ben Sharif. Kudos to Ben for his excellent effort in documenting how to do the more complicated stuff in PBX in a Flash (PiaF). This book is a necessity!
  
• System Summary
  Want to know more about the architecture of the PBX in a Flash distribution of Asterisk PBX? This is the place for more reference sources and a little bit of background on this thing called PBX in a Flash.
• FreePBX
  The home of the web based configuration client for Asterisk PBX
  
• Webmin
  The home of the web based configuration client for all Non Asterisk stuff.
  
• Asterisk.org
  Home of the Asterisk PBX - core to PBX in a Flash
  
• Digium
  Home of the originators of Asterisk PBX and the manufacturer of systems and hardware for use with Asterisk
  
• Asterisk Guru
  Great site for information on configuring, installing and troubleshooting Asterisk
  
• Asterisk Tutorials
  Another great site that has online video tutorials on how to do the basics on Asterisk
  
• VOIP.org
  Intensive collection of information about VOIP and Asterisk. Pages and pages of information. If it ain't there then you better add it cause its a wiki!
  
• Introduction to the Asterisk Open Source PBX (16 page pdf)
  This is a nice brief introduction to Asterisk (circa 2001) that masterfully sums up why Asterisk is so important!