[asterisk-dev] PRI auto-configure

[Steve Totaro]

On Tue, Sep 9, 2008 at 7:17 AM, Bill Michaelson <bill at cosi.com> wrote:
> I'm faced with an installation at a client site with supposed PRI service on
> a fractional T1.  The task of getting Asterisk running should be
> straightforward except that I'm having trouble getting precise configuration
> info from the telephone service provider - such as the precise allocation of
> the channels and the positions of the data and bearer channels.
>
> Leaving aside the details of my particular problem, I'm wondering about the
> practicality of developing a utility based on existing code for Q.931 et al
> which could scan/analyze the T1 traffic to look for recognizable patterns
> and automatically generate configuration information.  This could be real
> handy to ignorant installers such as myself.
>
> So I figured I'd ask those in the know, presumably here.
>
> ?
>

Bill,

An easy solution.

I usually configure the entire span of 24 channels (23 B + 1 D) and
only the turned up channels go into service.  This is good for a
couple of reasons.

1.  No configuration changes are needed if the client decides to
"light up" some more B channels
2.  All B channels that are lit up will come up but not the B chans
that are not in service, so configuring the entire span in Asterisk
will not effect anything negatively.  Channels that do not come up are
not used by Asterisk.

I have had issues with this only once, the entire span came up, not
just what was provisioned, so calls going out on those channels did
not work.  The carrier put a Cisco box at the demarc that was
configured for a full PRI going to the Asterisk box.

Thanks,
Steve Totaro