Configuring callcentric using the freePBX interface

Configuring the Asterisk PBX using the freePBX interface

Here we will configure Asterisk through the freePBX administrative interface to properly route both incoming and outgoing calls to and from Callcentric. This guide assumes that you have installed freePBX using either the freePBX package, trixbox or a method of your choice. This guide also assumes that the freePBX install steps were completed properly and that you have administrative access to the freePBX administration interface. We recommend that you read each step through in its entirety before performing the action indicated in the step.

STEP 1 Trunk Configuration In the context of this guide a trunk is used to route calls between your Asterisk PBX and your desired VSP(Voice Service Provider), in this case Callcentric. In this section we will configure a SIP trunk. Login to freePBX administrative interface Click on Setup in top right of page Click on Trunks in left side navigation Click Add SIP Trunk in middle of page Scroll to Outgoing Settings and enter callcentric into Trunk Name field Copy and paste the following into the PEER Details field. Users using a trixbox version based on asterisk 1.6 and greater please use the following: context=from-pstn fromdomain=callcentric.com fromuser=1777MYCCID host=callcentric.com insecure=port,invite secret=SUPERSECRET type=peer defaultuser=1777MYCCID Users using a trixbox version based on asterisk 1.4 please use the following: context=from-pstn fromdomain=callcentric.com fromuser=1777MYCCID host=callcentric.com insecure=port,invite secret=SUPERSECRET type=peer username=1777MYCCID Users using a trixbox version based on asterisk 1.2 please use the following: context=from-pstn fromdomain=callcentric.com fromuser=1777MYCCID host=callcentric.com insecure=very secret=SUPERSECRET type=peer username=1777MYCCID Where 1777XXXXXXX is your Callcentric number and SUPERSECRET is the same password you create when you sign up for you Callcentric account. Optionally you may change it in your preferences. Scroll down to Registration Enter your registration string in this format: 1777MYCCID:SUPERSECRET@callcentric.com/1777MYCCID Where 1777XXXXXXX is your Callcentric number and SUPERSECRET is the same password you create when you sign up for you Callcentric account. Optionally you may change it in your preferences. Click on Submit Changes to add your new SIP trunk to your Asterisk server Click on the red bar at the top of the screen to apply the changes you just made View screenshot Now you will want to edit your sip_general_custom.conf file and enter, or modify, the following lines: context=from-pstn srvlookup=yes session-timers=refuse session-expires=180 session-minse=90 session-refresher=uas If using trixbox this will have to be done through the web interface to edit your config files. View screenshot If using freePBX you will need to log in to your server and edit the /etc/asterisk/sip.conf file manually, usually with an editor such as nano. STEP 2 Outbound Route Configuration An outbound route sends calls which are dialed in a certain pattern to your desired VSP, in this case Callcentric. Click on Outbound Routes to configure your Asterisk box to send calls to Callcentric Enter to-callcentric into Route Name field Scroll to Trunk Sequence and select the SIP/callcentric trunk from the drop down list Click on Submit Changes to add your new route to your Asterisk server Click on the red bar at the top of the screen to apply the changes you just made View screenshot STEP 3 Extension Configuration An extension in this context is an account on your Asterisk PBX which provides an account number which another UA (software or hardware used for calling) can connect to in order to make and receive calls. There are a few types of extensions. Here we will create a SIP extension. If you have already configured an extension then you may skip this step. Then in the next step (Inbound Route Configuration) you may use your pre-configured extension. Click on Extensions to add a new extension which will connect to your Asterisk server Choose SIP as the extension type Enter 1000 for the extension number For now we will use a generic identifier for this extension. Enter First Extension for the Display Name field. Later you may enter a unique identifier of your choice Enter your desired password in the Secret field. You will use this password when configuring your desired UA later in order to connect to your Asterisk PBX Click on Submit Changes to add your new extension to your Asterisk server Click on the red bar at the top of the screen to apply the changes you just made View screenshot STEP 4 Inbound Route Configuration Inbound configuration can become extremely complex. With an inbound route you are given the flexibility to send incoming calls to a whole range of destinations. For example you may route an incoming call to a specific extension, to a ring group or to an IVR. In this section we are going to setup an inbound route which will handle ANY incoming calls on ANY number, including emergency numbers, and simply route those calls to a specific extension (1000). Later on you can configure more complex routing schemes. If you have already configured an extension then you may substitute your pre-configured extension for point 4 below. Click on Inbound Routes to configure the routing of calls to your Callcentric account If there isn't a default inbound route called 1777MYCCID / any CID then click on Add Incoming Route. You will first want to fill the DID Number field with your 1777 number. Make sure to leave the Caller ID Number and Zaptel channel blank in order to match any incoming call. This is useful if you wish to receive all calls Scroll down to Set Destination Choose First Extension (1000) from the Core dropdown box Click on Submit Changes to add your new inbound route to your Asterisk server Click on the red bar at the top of the screen to apply the changes you just made View screenshot STEP 5 Configure and test UA Choose your desired UA. Use the IP address or hostname for your Asterisk box along with 1000 (the extension created earlier) and password for the 1000 extension to connect to your Asterisk box Next you will want to try placing test calls to and from your Asterisk PBX using the UA currently connected to your newly created extension (1000). STEP 6 Placing Test Calls You can make a test call to 17771234567