----- Original Message ----- From: "Roderick A. Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 3:18 PM Subject: [Asterisk-Users] [Q] DIDs
> Well I suspect this list will pick up quite a bit since the article in > Linux Magazine. So I'll try to get my questions in early. > > I looked at Asterisk about a year ago but the TPTB wanted a prebuilt > solution (at that time) and I couldn't find anyone local enough to > satisfiy them. We still don't have a new phone system because no one > offered a good solution at a reasonable price. I brought my Linux > Magazine in to the office yesterday and mentioned the article. Guess > what? Yup, now it sounds like a good deal even if we do it ourselves. > > Three questions came up and I didn't find them in the FAQs though a > couple of the linked to sites got close but still no cigar. > > 1. Does the software/(or cards?) support DIDs; as in the called number > is reported verses the line/extension the called number is > pointed-to/cones-in-on? (Be gentle I'm not all the phone savvy.) > > 2. And has anyone used NORSTAR phones with Asterisk? As in plugged them > in and they work similar to the way they work with a NORTEL system? On > a multi-line phone the LCD shows the extension that the call is for. > > 3. Company segregation. Currently we're running two companies off one > NORTEL system with each providing different levels of service to their > customers. Well every so often the less-er company will have a customer > that gets punch happy and gets an extension that is not listed for that > company and get someone from the other company. Not too good. > > All pointers, answers (or good jokes) appreciated, > > > TIA, > Rod Answers to your questions: 1) Yes, what you're describing is called DNIS (Dialed Number Identification Service) it shows the phone number that a person DIALED to reach you... (Not THEIR phone number like caller id). This information can be used in an * dialplan to route calls based on the called number... This is not the only way to route calls however... You need a digital line like a PRI or a T1 to receive this information I believe, I don't think it comes through on regular POTS lines... I could be wrong... 2) Most likely No, these are special digital phones and speak the proprietary Nortel language... They would require Nortel hardware to make them work... I may be wrong, I'm not familiar with NorStar phones, however from what you describe no, they will probably never work with an All-* system... However there are ways to integrate * into your Nortel system and make it like a tandem or hand-off system. If you reeeeealy want analog phones, checkout www.sayson.com. Their ADSI screenphones work very well with * and look a lot more like a PBX phone... They're very flexible and programmable. Although if it were me and I was going to get all new phones, I would go with IP phones and forget analog alltogether... 3) Yes! Asterisk can do this easily! (read: contexts) Your phone system can probably do it too, by using different extension series for the 2 companies.. I've done it here with an old Merlin Legend, I simply set company 1 as 100-series extensions and company 2 as 200-series extensions. That way in the IVR menu for company 1, the dial string is restricted to 1XX and in company 2 the dial string is restricted to 2XX. Using "Selector Code Transfer" in Avaya-Speak... I don't know what the equivalent Nortel function would be... A lot of useful information can be found on these sites: www.voip-info.org www.asteriskdocs.org -Chris _______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
