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Mobile call routing using VOIP phones

  • 15-03-2013 3:52pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭


    I have 2 grandstream VOIP phones, I am wondering how I would go about routing mobile calls over a sim card. I can get unlimited mobile calls for around 30 a month and it works out quite alot dearer via the VOIP provider. I think its called least cost routing. Im wondering what it would cost and if its dear to maintain in time and money. Im happy for outbound landline calls to travel via the voip provider.

    I just had a look and can get a gsm box for 30 quid that can plug in a standard telephone set which is an option (more professional than using a mobile in an office anyway!) but is there a simple non technical option for connecting the VOIP grandstreams to a sim. Thanks in advance for any advice.


Comments

  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    You can get a sim gsm gateway and connect the phones by sip to it. The gateway could be connected to a pbx while abroad.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Thanks for replying, Im not too technical on VOIP. Could you provide a link to a suitable GSM gateway and how would I connect it by sip to the grandstreams. Can this be done while they are connected to the telephony provider (goldfish) and would landline calls be routed over goldfish and if so how? Would it not need to be slightly cleer knowing that 086, 087,089,083 etc go over mobile, or would I need to route everything over the mobile?


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    For least cost routing you would need a phone system.

    You have two options:
    -Get a gsm gateway and pbx
    -or connect one line to goldfish and another to the gsm gateway

    Gsm gateways:
    http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/view/VOIP+GSM+Gateways

    If you have a spare computer lying around that's not being used you could install the freepbx distro or if you want to the experimental, you could get a raspberry pi and install asterisk.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,049 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    ..... or maybe a router with built in call management, QOS, dial plan etc including routing of different call types to different lines.
    A number of routers can also accept SIM cards and have the possibility of registering multiple VOIP accounts from different providers thus providing great choice .....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Thanks guys, Johnboy could you suggest a suitable router, I only need one sim working, what sort of cost would I be looking at?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,049 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    lomb wrote: »
    Thanks guys, Johnboy could you suggest a suitable router, I only need one sim working, what sort of cost would I be looking at?

    I am reluctant to recommend any manufacturer TBH.

    I have had a Draytek Vigor for 8 or 9 years and it has served me well ...... 6 accounts; two WAN connections with failover or load sharing.
    It was dear at the time ... being business class rather than home ... but it has served me well.

    There are other very good makes out there to.
    Some might be (probably are) even better ..... ;)


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    As JB said I would definately have a look at the draytek. Didn't come to mind when I posted. You get for what you pay for, and try and avoid the cheap chinese crap on ebay.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,098 ✭✭✭Johnny_Fontane


    We are spending up to €250 per month on calls to mobiles (4 users) using magnet business voip. About 1800 minutes last month, but it can go as high as 2000 or as low as 800.

    If we were to get three mobiles say with emobile, we would spend €120 a month and have unlimited minutes.

    Is there any options for companies in our situation?

    If anyone is a specialist, pm me and I would gladly meet up. We are based in D2.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 802 ✭✭✭Mylow


    We are spending up to €250 per month on calls to mobiles (4 users) using magnet business voip. About 1800 minutes last month, but it can go as high as 2000 or as low as 800.

    If we were to get three mobiles say with emobile, we would spend €120 a month and have unlimited minutes.

    Is there any options for companies in our situation?

    If anyone is a specialist, pm me and I would gladly meet up. We are based in D2.
    You should be looking at https://www.freevoipdeal.com.
    Buy €10 worth of credit set-up a dialplan for Irish Mobile calls to go through freevoip as a trial through a spare IP Phone or SoftPhone.

    Prices listed on website as of today.

    Ireland (Landline) FREE* FREE* FREE*
    Ireland (Mobile) € 0.020 € 0.023 (2c Exc VAT) (2.3c Inc VAT).

    I use 4 different providers and dialplan to get best deals.

    I also have a VOIP GSM Gateway which takes 2 sim cards.
    PORTech MV-372 Gateway.

    Also take a look at SipSorcery.com


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    We are spending up to €250 per month on calls to mobiles (4 users) using magnet business voip. About 1800 minutes last month, but it can go as high as 2000 or as low as 800.

    If we were to get three mobiles say with emobile, we would spend €120 a month and have unlimited minutes.

    Is there any options for companies in our situation?

    If anyone is a specialist, pm me and I would gladly meet up. We are based in D2.

    I know lyca are the cheapest at €29. Remember either a private or a mobile number will show from the sim. You can use a voip mobile gateway to integrate to a pbx.

    The other option is to get cheaper rates using voip. A few betamax providers do this, and can be around 2 cent a minute. Shop around for the best rates.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,098 ✭✭✭Johnny_Fontane


    Thanks for your replies. There is no way in the world that I could do this myself....can anyone recommend someone who might be able to set this up for us?


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    Thanks for your replies. There is no way in the world that I could do this myself....can anyone recommend someone who might be able to set this up for us?

    Most phone system installers should be able to do this for you. I would recommend Innovate Voicegrid. Haven't heard any complaints anyway about them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 326 ✭✭domeld


    Mr_Grumpy wrote: »
    Most phone system installers should be able to do this for you. I would recommend Innovate Voicegrid. Haven't heard any complaints anyway about them.

    Hi, were did You hear about Innovate/Voicegrid?


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    domeld wrote: »
    Hi, were did You hear about Innovate/Voicegrid?

    They have been on RTE News and have won quite a lot of awards. I've been speaking to someone recently who has this voicegrid system and they've had no problems so far. I understand there is no up front cost and its a fully managed service.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Can anyone recommend the model of the better or best simplest devices preferably with onboard intelligence(rather than running software on a pc) needed to plug a single 3g sim card into a broadband router and route only mobile calls from 3 onsite voip phones over the sim card and if busy then through the voip provider.

    I have been recommended everything from FCT(with and without intelligence) attached to a ATA terminal adaptor attached to the router . However Id like the lot combined in one with the intelligence managed through a login from any pc on network. Ie 192.168.1.x

    Just want to cost up what it would be versus carrying on in status quo. Il add on for labour if I cant set it up, but I dont want a complex solution with mulitple devices that would be a nightmare to maintain in the long run.
    Cheers


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    Do you have phone system or a spare computer lying around?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    I have a spare computer yes thats always on, also I have a very simple set up.Mainly 2 grandstream voip phones at one location and broadband. The provider is goldfish.Ie

    I just need a simple system that preferably takes 3g sim cards from Three. Ideally mobile calls 08xxx are intelligently routed over the sim and if thats engaged then through default goldfish. All others through goldfish.

    I think there is some misinformation on this thread wrt to the portech router recommended seems to make you dial the number of the sim from the voip phone then receive a tone then dial out. That isnt the sort of intelligence Im looking for. Just a seamless solution would be good.

    Cheers.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    lomb wrote: »
    I have a spare computer yes thats always on, also I have a very simple set up.Mainly 2 grandstream voip phones at one location and broadband. The provider is goldfish.Ie

    I just need a simple system that preferably takes 3g sim cards from Three. Ideally mobile calls 08xxx are intelligently routed over the sim and if thats engaged then through default goldfish. All others through goldfish.

    I think there is some misinformation on this thread wrt to the portech router recommended seems to make you dial the number of the sim from the voip phone then receive a tone then dial out. That isnt the sort of intelligence Im looking for. Just a seamless solution would be good.

    Cheers.

    Ok well going with what you have, I recommend you install the freepbx distro or 3CX on your spare computer. Setup the phones with that computer (which is essentially now a phone system) and connect it through the lan to a gsm gateway. Expect to pay at least €200 for one. This way you can configure LCR and routes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Ok but what happens if that computer goes down? Do the VOIP phones default to goldfish on outbound ? and remain on on inbound?
    Thats why I didnt want to complicate matters.

    Does freepbx only run on linux? edit 3cx has a free eddition and works on Windows it seems. So the main question is say if the pc running it didnt boot what happens then? Is there a config in the grandstream voip phone menu that routes calls to the 3cx first?


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    lomb wrote: »
    Ok but what happens if that computer goes down? Do the VOIP phones default to goldfish on outbound ? and remain on on inbound?
    Thats why I didnt want to complicate matters.

    If the sips go down, in any case, than they will be forwarded to the failover number, be that a mobile, landline etc. So if your pbx or broadband is offline, than the numbers can be set to be forwarded elsewhere.
    Does freepbx only run on linux? edit 3cx has a free eddition and works on Windows it seems. So the main question is say if the pc running it didnt boot what happens then? Is there a config in the grandstream voip phone menu that routes calls to the 3cx first?

    Linux is much better for a phone system than Windows. Windows often makes the box much slower. 3CX runs on Windows and has a free version and also a paid version.

    On the other hand, Asterisk has a lot of features for nothing. If you want G729, etc. there are licenses for that from digium but it has more features than 3CX free version. Its used by hundreds of carriers and has been around for years.

    I'm not sure about the Grandstream configuration, but you should be able to have Line 1 registered to the box, and Line 2 for a goldfish sip account. So if its down, press Line 2 and dial away but it will go out through Goldfish.

    If you don't want to go messing around with the spare pc, maybe put it on a raspberry pi. Its working fine for me anyway.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Sorry meant if the pbx goes down and the broadband is still working. Do incoming calls still ring the Grandstream IP phones? I can understand setting it up so outbound calls are one line 2 to bypass the gsm sim box part.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    Configure it like this:
    Two extensions. 200 on Grandstream A line 1 and 201 on Grandstream B line 1.

    Goldfish sip account A configured as a sip trunk in freepbx and calls 200 and 201.

    Set outbound route for 08XXXXXXXX for gsm gateway and then goldfish. Route 2 XX. for goldfish.

    Goldfish sip account B configured on both Grandsteam A & B Line 2.

    The box should never go down anyway unless its not turned on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Hiya sorry to resurrect this thread but I wish to motor on with the original plan, can anyone recommend a reasonable good ie less than 300 euro GSM sim gateway that I can connect to a router and use a Linux box like Rasberry Pi running Freepbx?

    Would this be any use?-Dinstar seem to be Tiawanise rather than Chinese and been around for 25 years
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dinstar-DWG2000-1GSM-SIP-GSM-VoIP-Gateway-Asterisk-Trixbox-/251178048682?pt=UK_Computing_MicrophonesPhones_RL&hash=item3a7b60dcaa


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    lomb wrote: »
    Hiya sorry to resurrect this thread but I wish to motor on with the original plan, can anyone recommend a reasonable good ie less than 300 euro GSM sim gateway that I can connect to a router and use a Linux box like Rasberry Pi running Freepbx?

    Would this be any use?-Dinstar seem to be Tiawanise rather than Chinese and been around for 25 years
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dinstar-DWG2000-1GSM-SIP-GSM-VoIP-Gateway-Asterisk-Trixbox-/251178048682?pt=UK_Computing_MicrophonesPhones_RL&hash=item3a7b60dcaa

    This could be of help
    http://www.raspberry-asterisk.org/calling-on-gsm3g-networks/

    I would be careful buying on eBay from outside the EU, quality may not be great and it may not have a CE mark. Others might be able to help you in recommending a product. Keep in mind import duty etc obviously.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Mr. G wrote: »
    This could be of help
    http://www.raspberry-asterisk.org/calling-on-gsm3g-networks/

    I would be careful buying on eBay from outside the EU, quality may not be great and it may not have a CE mark. Others might be able to help you in recommending a product. Keep in mind import duty etc obviously.


    Sounds interesting , but I nearly prefer a commercial solution as I myself am running a business. Its one possibility and a cheap one at that! So seeing as Im buying Rasberrry I might as well give this a shot.

    The Dinstar is via a UK agent Novavox and has CE and ROHS whatever all that means, Ive emailed them to ask them the level of support for the 30 days thats included.

    Il buy a Rasberry now and then hold fire on which way to go either the Dinstar or the dongle route and let everyone know how Im getting on in a week.

    Any other advice greatfully received.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    They look reputable enough I think. You always have the 7 day EU distance selling return if you are buying it (does not apply to bidding).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Bought the Raspberry 512 setup on Ebay for around 70 euros. I think I have a GSM modem thats compatible. Hopefully Ill be ready to rock and roll after a year or two of wanting to do this!
    I suppose common sense tells me to save the cash and go with the GSM modem.
    Il post back shortly for help and advice and to tell how Im getting on.
    Hopefully if I can get a working setup for me then I can post a simple step by step guide that could be of use to others.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    lomb wrote: »
    Il post back shortly for help and advice and to tell how Im getting on.
    Hopefully if I can get a working setup for me then I can post a simple step by step guide that could be of use to others.

    By all means do, that would be great. I'm thinking of setting up a how-to thread on all things VoIP so will copy it into that thread. Would be interested in seeing how you get on and what your experiences are with it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    No bother, I certainly will. I have some knowledge of computers ie windows networking, general maintenance etc but wrt Linux zero. My brother has some Linux experience.
    We will see how we get on , this thread could be quite useful to others which is the spirit of forums in general.
    The router suggestion above re the Draytek seemed to be a red herring also well after looking into it. It did have LCR set up but not designed to integrate with a GSM modem for call routing but for 3g fallback if the broadband goes down. So it would need a sim gateway. And why not use something thats been designed for the job like Freepbx etc? Ive been stalling doing anything for various reasons but I dont think its as complex as it seems at first , anyway well see:)


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  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    The FreePBX distro is a doddle to install once you have the image burned to a disk or usb. Raspbx is easy too.

    The Ubuntu wiki has some very handy tutorials if you need help burning the .iso to the SD card or disk. It is fairly straight forward after that. The web gui goes through everything, and FreePBX is well documented through the wiki.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Cool, give me a week:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,049 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    Just a thought ...... you use up to 2,000 minutes mobile calls per month ..... and the cheapest you can get is apparently €30 per month unlimited use.

    On my home set up I use FreeVOIPdeal at present for outgoing calls.
    When I make a payment on account I get 3 or 4 months free landline calls to most of EU, Aus, US etc, and calls to Irish mobiles are charged at 1 cent per minute or part of a minute.

    I am unsure, but would expect it must be possible to find similar or better rates for a guaranteed use such as your business.

    All of this is pointing to me questioning whether or not you need the 3G set up for outgoing mobile calls, or not.

    The set up would be much simpler if it was not needed ...... I like the KISS principle :D

    Maybe I am forgetting some aspect of your requirements that make the 3G necessary .......

    ...... just thinking out loud .......

    *******

    Oh, BTW ..... I am looking forward to Mr.G's thread and lomb's write up if he goes ahead with the proposed set up.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    Oh, BTW ..... I am looking forward to Mr.G's thread and lomb's write up if he goes ahead with the proposed set up.

    If you want to help with a how-to on your Draytek set up (If I'm not mistaken?) it would be much appreciated. Plan is to create a sticky with some how-tos all in one place with links to other sites and threads :).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Heya, sure you are right to question it. I have never considered an alternative. However standard voip providers like Goldfish, Magnet? and the others make their money out of mobile. If you can show me a deal for 30e a month and 2000 minutes Im willing to listen.
    It doesn't seem like it will take anything other than a box running Linux (raspberry pi), 1 3g dongle, freepbx installed and the system set to send outbound 08xxx calls to the 3g landline to Goldfish and line 2 set to Goldfish if the 3g is busy. It doesn't seem much to set up from what I can see.
    The other possibility is find a cheap VOIP provider for outbound calls, like freevoip but whats the setup involved here? The other thing is what happens if I go in someday and the freevoip provider has closed the outbounds wont work without reconfig. I now have 4 voip phones on the same desk connected to the same Goldfish account and receiving inbound calls from a single number.
    Absolutely fire away with the draytek setup, how yours works what its designed to do first and foremost. Is it for LCR or for something else. I know in PM you said you didn't use 3g so Im guessing you route calls using this router to cheaper voip providers like freevoip?
    Whats the call clarity like, and how long have they been around for? Cheers


    Just a thought ...... you use up to 2,000 minutes mobile calls per month ..... and the cheapest you can get is apparentlanyy €30 per month unlimited use.

    On my home set up I use FreeVOIPdeal at present for outgoing calls.
    When I make a payment on account I get 3 or 4 months free landline calls to most of EU, Aus, US etc, and calls to Irish mobiles are charged at 1 cent per minute or part of a minute.

    I am unsure, but would expect it must be possible to find similar or better rates for a guaranteed use such as your business.

    All of this is pointing to me questioning whether or not you need the 3G set up for outgoing mobile calls, or not.

    The set up would be much simpler if it was not needed ...... I like the KISS principle :D

    Maybe I am forgetting some aspect of your requirements that make the 3G necessary .......

    ...... just thinking out loud .......

    *******

    Oh, BTW ..... I am looking forward to Mr.G's thread and lomb's write up if he goes ahead with the proposed set up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,049 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    @lomb

    I would not suggest FreeVOIPdeal for business use ... nor indeed any provider from that group, unless they specifically do business offers. I am using a personal calling 'plan' which has limitations such as acceptable usage.

    They are down to a price ...... but I have to admit I have not suffered from call quality problems.
    The only thing I noticed was a period when the first few seconds were echo prone, but this seems to have disappeared.

    My phone use this year has also dropped significantly (personal circumstances) ... so much so, that some days it is only used for one or two calls.
    Soon I should be able to do without :)

    Regarding LCR ... I used FreeVOIPDeal as the default for all calls, after adding them to my multiple accounts, as I could get no better prices for any of my usual calls from any other provider.
    Previously I had three other provider accounts and used those for the different calls based on charges.
    Last year that all went ..... or almost all.

    My 'suspicion', that prompted the previous post, was that there is likely some provider with a similar type for-business plan ...... no doubt a bit more costly, but somewhat on the same lines.

    If one sets up a FreeVOIPDeal personal account, lodges a minimum of €10 +VAT, that account has free calls to a large range of landlines worldwide for a period of 120 days, and the €10 is used to pay for calls to Irish mobiles at a rate of 1c per minute or part of a minute ..... equivalent to 1000 minutes or part of a min ..... and to pay for otherwise non-free landline calls and foreign mobiles at their respective rates; Freevoipdeal are apparently making some profit else they would not still exist.
    How much more costly it might be for a similar business plan is unknown to me but I thought it might be worth your while investigating if such plans exist from any provider.

    So, in summary, I would not suggest the likes of FreeVOIPdeal for any business ..... in fact I believe they specifically say their service is for personal use.

    Nonetheless, if they continue to operate with this scheme, then it must be somewhat successful, which lead me to suspect that a very low call-cost business plan might be available from some provider, which would fit your needs.

    On the other hand, as the capital cost of your proposed setup using 3G is small, if an option of using VOIP only, arises in the future, it would be a small adjustment, and little lost, to reconfigure and maybe only use the 3G as a fail-over.

    It would seem you are better "covered" by the proposed scheme ...... but I would, in your position, continue to monitor what becomes available.
    Prices are still dropping for such services, and more suitable 'plans' are being offered, particularly when new providers enter the market.


    Regarding my own use of the Draytek .... because it has the possibility of having 6 different accounts I was able to 'play about' quite a bit .... and the 'quick dial' phone book, allowed me to use SIP addresses allocated to quick dial numbers, so the SIP accounts could be dialled from an ordinary desk phone.
    In addition the Draytek is capable of doing direct-to-IP SIP calling (providing the receiver of the call is also capable), which I used a lot for direct access to some people without going through any provider.

    I have over the years made full use of the multiple accounts function in the Draytek ... even to the point of adding a free SIP account for a period of some months to communicate about a particular project.

    We must remember, when I got this router it was a long time ago in the development of such devices, so it is very much past its design time and newer much better devices are no doubt available.
    There was little or nothing comparable that I could find at the time, at anything close to its price range.
    All its 'competitors' appeared to be for large industry use and not micro business use, and priced accordingly.

    Anyway that's all history.

    I can only suggest you keep a close watch on what becomes available in the way of 'plans' for outgoing calls because the ground shifts daily ;)

    sorry for being so verbose :(


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Thanks for all that. There are quite a few voip providers around but I dont see any business grade ones for 3g sim cost PAYG plans.
    3G is like 15 euros for unlimited mobile for a month so with v good call quality. I cant see many downsides to it. Ive bought the Raspberry and have a 3g modem so Im nearly there. Ive talked the brother into configuring freepbx on it .
    Il be back in a week or so to update.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,049 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    Mr. G wrote: »
    If you want to help with a how-to on your Draytek set up (If I'm not mistaken?) it would be much appreciated. Plan is to create a sticky with some how-tos all in one place with links to other sites and threads :).

    Will do if I can be of assistance ... PM me if you wish ;)


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    Done :). Thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Right the Rasberry pi has arrived and Ive connected the HDMI output to the Bigscreen tv and attached a mouse to the usb connector on it. Im installing Rasbian onto the SD card , I presume this is Linux optimised for the Rasberry.

    Im also downloading Rasbpbx from Asterix 11.6/ FreePBX 2.11 as a zip file to my windows computer. Should I be downloading it on the SD instead from a web browser in Rasberry or can I put this onto a USB stick and insert it into the usb port of the Rasberry and install it?

    The Ubuntu wiki turns up a few things but unsure of relevancy.

    Should I expand filesystem to let SD card storage be available to OS, Enable boot to desktop or scratch or command line. Persumably I can use a USB drive to transfer the Asterix to the Pi so can expand the SD to be available to the OS. Cheers.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    lomb wrote: »
    Right the Rasberry pi has arrived and Ive connected the HDMI output to the Bigscreen tv and attached a mouse to the usb connector on it. Im installing Rasbian onto the SD card , I presume this is Linux optimised for the Rasberry.

    Im also downloading Rasbpbx from Asterix 11.6/ FreePBX 2.11 as a zip file to my windows computer. Should I be downloading it on the SD Card instead from a web browser in Rasberry or can I put this onto a USB stick and insert it into the usb port of the Rasberry and install it?

    You should download it to your computer using a web browser and write the ISO to the SD card. As far as I know you can't boot off a USB stick with a Raspberry PI. When it starts, the Raspberry PI will boot off the SD Card.
    lomb wrote: »
    The Ubuntu wiki turns up a few things but unsure of relevancy.

    Should I expand filesystem to let SD card storage be available to OS, Enable boot to desktop or scratch or command line. Persumably I can use a USB drive to transfer the Asterix to the Pi so can expand the SD to be available to the OS. Cheers.
    .

    The SD Card should have at least 4GB of space, I have a 16GB SD Card which works fine. An 8GB one should be fine.

    Using an SD Adapter connect the SD card to your PC, format the SD Card, write the ISO to the SD Card and insert the SD Card into the Raspberry PI. It will boot off it as mentioned above. It does not have a graphical user interface as such, but there is a web gui (FreePBX). The command line should be fine really, it's not as if you will be doing much with it. I have it plugged in and connected to a network switch. I installed it using a HDMI cable to a television but once it was installed I moved it.

    It will run everything with you when you boot it with the SD card. The SD Card stays in the device once it is installed.

    Make sure you set up a static ip address on it after installing.

    Shout if you have any other questions.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,049 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    You should download it to your computer using a web browser and write the ISO to the SD card. As far as I know you can't boot off a USB stick with a Raspberry PI. When it starts, the Raspberry PI will boot off the SD Card.

    Yes, the OS needs to boot off the SD card ...... the Pi can use the USB stick for storage and as such is probably considerably faster at writing & reading than using the SD card.

    ****

    If there is an option in the setup to expand the filesystem to the full size of the SD card, then I would be inclined to use that to give the greatest amount of space you can to your install.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,017 ✭✭✭lomb


    Im using this opportunity to read up on Linux history and basics and will get the kids books for the Pi as it seems to be interesting. If a 12 year old can do it and all that. Ive yet to draft in my brother who has Linux experiance , used to use it on his desktop for a while. I wanted to do it myself if possible.

    However in the mean time not getting you guys. The Pi has installed Rasbian Linux off the SD card (I persume a protected area) that came with it. It is now asking me to expand the OS to use the entire SD and to this I will select yes I get that.
    However why would I want Pi to boot off Asterix? Asterix is a program no , so needs to be installed like a program on a USB stick I would think from within a Linux installed Pi.
    Booting off an iso on the Linux SD isnt going to work is it or am I missing something? Cheers


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    lomb wrote: »
    Im using this opportunity to read up on Linux history and basics and will get the kids books for the Pi as it seems to be interesting. If a 12 year old can do it and all that. Ive yet to draft in my brother who has Linux experiance , used to use it on his desktop for a while. I wanted to do it myself if possible.

    However in the mean time not getting you guys. The Pi has installed Rasbian Linux off the SD card (I persume a protected area) that came with it. It is now asking me to expand the OS to use the entire SD and to this I will select yes I get that.
    However why would I want Pi to boot off Asterix? Asterix is a program no , so needs to be installed like a program on a USB stick I would think from within a Linux installed Pi.
    Booting off an iso on the Linux SD isnt going to work is it or am I missing something? Cheers

    I think you're overcomplicating things smile.png.

    If you install the operating system on the SD Card onto the Raspberry PI, everything you need for a phone system will be installed. Asterisk is part of the distro, it is a program but if you have successfully installed Raspbian just type 'raspbx' into your web browser or navigate to the ip address of the Raspberry PI and set up your system through FreePBX. At this point you can just use a SSH client like PuTTY and leave it plugged in beside the network switch.

    Once you've written the ISO to the SD Card and inserted it into the slot, the Raspberry PI will recognise that you have inserted a new SD Card and it will boot of that. All storage by default is on the SD Card itself, like it's "hard drive". You can insert and mount a USB is you wish but if you're not recording much I wouldn't bother.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    Once you have everything going be sure to back it up and install Fail2Ban to help protect your pbx from getting hacked (everytime you login you will see a list of commands)


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    If you have the 2014 version this might help if you're having trouble

    http://sourceforge.net/p/raspbx/discussion/bugreports/thread/afff964e/?limit=50#1713


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 191 ✭✭malachy47


    Out of curiousity - Assuming the broadband pipe is adequate, how many simultaneous calls could a Pi handle?


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 4,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr. G


    malachy47 wrote: »
    Out of curiousity - Assuming the broadband pipe is adequate, how many simultaneous calls could a Pi handle?

    Around 10. Anything more than that would be pushing it. For such a small device, with a low spec it delivers good results. I have got 5 concurrent calls working without any problems :)

    Obviously if you are going to use encryption or G729 compression you're not going to get as many concurrent calls.


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