[Asterisk-doc] docs/volume-one vm1chp1-introduction.xml,1.4,1.5
jimvanm
cvs at sohoskyway.net
Fri Oct 8 01:05:39 CDT 2004
Comments:
Update of /cvsroot/asterisk/docs/volume-one
In directory sc8-pr-cvs1.sourceforge.net:/tmp/cvs-serv5569/volume-one
Modified Files:
vm1chp1-introduction.xml
Log Message:
The introduction needed work.
i also took a stab at the GPL section. I'm not really happy with it, but somebody had to start it.
Index: vm1chp1-introduction.xml
===================================================================
RCS file: /cvsroot/asterisk/docs/volume-one/vm1chp1-introduction.xml,v
retrieving revision 1.4
retrieving revision 1.5
diff -C2 -d -r1.4 -r1.5
*** vm1chp1-introduction.xml 26 Sep 2004 05:54:46 -0000 1.4
--- vm1chp1-introduction.xml 8 Oct 2004 06:05:32 -0000 1.5
***************
*** 24,35 ****
><sect2
><title
>Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills</title
><para
! >Because of the nearly limitless flexibility of Asterisk, successfully configuring a system requires more than a passing familiarity with several technical concepts, most notably Linux Installation and Administration, as well as an understanding of Telephony. In this document, we will only be scraping the surface of these complex technologies as we discuss concepts relevant to Asterisk design, installation and administration. If you desire more knowledge on either subject, we have suggested several sources which will set you on the path towards the required knowledge.</para
><sect3
><title
>Telephony</title
><para
! >Asterisk is a PBX, and that means that the more Telecommunications knowledge you have, the easier Asterisk will be to learn. If you plan to use legacy PSTN circuits and telephones, you will want to understand the difference between FXS and FXO interfaces. Digital trunks will require you to be conversant with technologies such as ISDN-PRI (including wiring of T1s). Terms such as PSTN or VoIP should be second nature to you, and you'd do well to obtain an understanding of the concept of analog to digital conversion, and what codecs are.</para
><para
>Before you get overwhelmed, please understand that many excellent references exist to help you obtain this knowledge. A good introductory work is <citetitle
--- 24,53 ----
><sect2
><title
+ >The goals of this document</title
+ ><para
+ >Asterisk has evolved beyond its roots as an open source experiment. A core of users, led by Mark Spencer, who were both enthusiasts and developers have provided a platform that has suddenly become very interesting to a much wider audience. People who appreciate the incredible potential of this platform are using it to solve a diverse and fascinating plethora of problems.</para
+ ><para
+ >What new users seem to have the most trouble with, however, is getting a basic system up and running. </para
+ ><para
+ >In this document, we will walk you through the process of selecting a platform, installing hardware, obtaining Asterisk, compiling it, configuring it, and starting it.</para
+ ><para
+ >When we are done, you should have a basic but fully-functional Asterisk PBX, with working FXO, FXS, IAX and SIP connections, as well as functioning examples of the various things that Asterisk can do. </para
+ ><para
+ >Will this solve the particular challenge you require Asterisk to solve for you? Probably not. But you <emphasis
+ >will</emphasis
+ > have a system from which you can begin your journey of discovery.</para
+ ><para
+ >Learning Asterisk is much like learning a new programming language. Once you get the hang of the basics, the rest comes easy, with time.</para
+ ></sect2
+ ><sect2
+ ><title
>Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills</title
><para
! >Because of the nearly limitless flexibility of Asterisk, successfully configuring a system requires more than a passing familiarity with several technical concepts; most notably Linux Installation and Administration, as well as an understanding of Telephony. In this document, we will only be scraping the surface of these complex technologies as we discuss concepts relevant to Asterisk design, installation and administration. If you desire more knowledge on either of the aforementioned subjects, we have suggested several sources which will set you on the path towards the required knowledge.</para
><sect3
><title
>Telephony</title
><para
! >Asterisk is a PBX, and that means that the more Telecommunications knowledge you have, the easier Asterisk will be to learn. If you plan to use legacy PSTN circuits and telephones, you will want to understand the difference between FXS and FXO interfaces. Digital trunks will require you to be conversant with technologies such as ISDN-PRI (including wiring of T1s). Terms such as PSTN or VoIP should be familiar to you, and you'd do well to obtain an understanding of the concept of analog to digital conversion, and what codecs are.</para
><para
>Before you get overwhelmed, please understand that many excellent references exist to help you obtain this knowledge. A good introductory work is <citetitle
***************
*** 39,43 ****
pubwork="book"
>Newton's Telecom Dictionary</citetitle
! > , published by CMP Books - this book should be on any telecommunication professional's bookshelf.</para
></sect3
><sect3
--- 57,61 ----
pubwork="book"
>Newton's Telecom Dictionary</citetitle
! >, published by CMP Books - this book should be on any telecommunication professional's bookshelf.</para
></sect3
><sect3
***************
*** 45,49 ****
>Linux Installation and Administration</title
><para
! >You will need an i386-compatible system with Linux installed before you can install and use Asterisk. If you do not have a solid grasp of Linux administration concepts you will want to focus on obtaining those skills before attempting an Asterisk install. On the Internet, <ulink
type="http"
url="http://www.tldp.org"
--- 63,67 ----
>Linux Installation and Administration</title
><para
! >You will need an i386-compatible system with Linux installed before you can install and use Asterisk. If you do not have a solid grasp of Linux administration concepts you will want to focus on honing those skills before attempting an Asterisk install. Everyone has to crawl before we can walk, no? On the Internet, <ulink
type="http"
url="http://www.tldp.org"
***************
*** 62,69 ****
> Running Linux</citetitle
> by Matt Welch, Lar Kaufman et al. is still one of the all-time most successful Linux introductions. Reading one or two of these books can save a lot of headaches down the road.</para
! ></sect3
! ><sect3
><title
! >Non-Linux Platforms</title
><para
>Asterisk works on many operating systems, however the main development and the PSTN hardware support is focused on the Linux i386 platform. On other platforms, you are mostly limited to the use of VoIP protocols in your PBX. Some applications will not run without a timer that currently is implemented only on Linux systems. The FreeBSD operating system has recently got a lot of attention by Asterisk developers and Asterisk is running smoothly on that platform with the above mentioned limitations.</para
--- 80,86 ----
> Running Linux</citetitle
> by Matt Welch, Lar Kaufman et al. is still one of the all-time most successful Linux introductions. Reading one or two of these books can save a lot of headaches down the road.</para
! ><note
><title
! >About Non-Linux Platforms</title
><para
>Asterisk works on many operating systems, however the main development and the PSTN hardware support is focused on the Linux i386 platform. On other platforms, you are mostly limited to the use of VoIP protocols in your PBX. Some applications will not run without a timer that currently is implemented only on Linux systems. The FreeBSD operating system has recently got a lot of attention by Asterisk developers and Asterisk is running smoothly on that platform with the above mentioned limitations.</para
***************
*** 72,75 ****
--- 89,93 ----
><para
>Support for non-linux platforms is provided by third-parties, and as a result there are various limitations on features, drivers or release dates versus Asterisk on Linux. As that support becomes integrated into Digium's releases, these limitations will go away.</para
+ ></note
></sect3
></sect2
***************
*** 81,85 ****
>Asterisk is not a turnkey system</title
><para
! >The Asterisk PBX system is a complex piece of software. The learning curve is very steep and simply reading any single resource will not teach you everything that Asterisk is capable of. This resource is an attempt to gather some of the most common issues that new comers to Asterisk encounter. Learning how Asterisk works is very much like learning a new programming language. Many hours need to be spent with Asterisk in order to understand how all the configuration files work with each other to control the many interfaces. The ability to understand the dialplan is a key concept that those new to Asterisk need to fully comprehend. Once this is established the configuration of the many different kinds of interfaces that you would like Asterisk to communicate with work in tandem with the dialplan. This relationship extends throughout Asterisk with many other modules that are not compiled by default. The term KISS (Keep It Super Simple) needs to be applied here with great emphasis. The mistake many people make when first discovering Asterisk is presuming a production quality system is possible in only a couple of hours. This may be possible once all the concepts are learned, but few are able to do it their first time out. However the intension of this book is to get you up to speed as quickly as possible.</para
></sect3
><sect3
--- 99,111 ----
>Asterisk is not a turnkey system</title
><para
! >The Asterisk PBX system is a complex piece of software. The learning curve is very steep and simply reading any single resource will not teach you everything that Asterisk is capable of. It's a safe bet that not even Mark Spencer knows all of the things his creation is capable of.</para
! ><para
! >This book will attempt to address some of the most common issues that newcomers to Asterisk encounter, using step-by-step processes, ultimately resulting in the creation of a functioning Asterisk PBX system. </para
! ><para
! >Learning how Asterisk works is very much like learning a new programming language. Many hours need to be spent with Asterisk in order to grasp how all the configuration files work with each other to control the many interfaces. We will be glossing over many of these topics in pursuit of our more simple goal, but some things will need to be discussed and understood. </para
! ><para
! >Comprehending the dialplan is a fundamental concept that those new to Asterisk must grasp. The configuration of the different types of channels Asterisk uses to communicate with ultimately are brought together in the dialplan. It is the heart of the Asterisk system.</para
! ><para
! >Many people experience much pain and frustration when attempting their first Asterisk installation because they envision having a production-quality system in a couple of hours. This may be possible once all the concepts are learned, but few are able to do it their first time out. The intension of this book is to get you up to speed as quickly as possible, but we recommend you take your time and enjoy the process. You'll feel much happier with Asterisk if you give yourself proper time to fall in love with it (and make no mistake; fall in love you will). </para
></sect3
><sect3
***************
*** 87,91 ****
>Don't like it? You can change it!</title
><para
! >Asterisk is open source software. The ability to read the source code is its power. Most (if not all) other PBX systems are entirely closed source with only the abilities that have been provided to you. If something does not work quite the way you would expect it to you are able to change it. The source code is also an excellent debugging and learning resource in itself. Reading through the many text and code files in the Asterisk source directory can teach you much about the intricate workings of the system.</para
></sect3
><sect3
--- 113,119 ----
>Don't like it? You can change it!</title
><para
! >Asterisk is open source software. The ability to read the source code is its power. Most other PBX systems are entirely closed-source, limiting you to the features the designers decided you could have. In Asterisk, if something does not work quite the way you want it to, you can change it! Naturally you will not be able to do that yourself without sufficient programming skills, but then again, such skills are easily hired from within the very same community that developed the product. Try THAT with a proprietary system.</para
! ><para
! >The source code is also an excellent debugging and learning resource in itself. Reading through the many text and code files in the Asterisk source directory can teach you much about the intricate workings of the system.</para
></sect3
><sect3
***************
*** 93,97 ****
>Free and Open Source Software: GPL and LGPL Licensing</title
><para
! ></para
></sect3
></sect2
--- 121,135 ----
>Free and Open Source Software: GPL and LGPL Licensing</title
><para
! >The Gnu Public License is an exciting concept, and much has been written about it. <ulink
! url="???"
! >The Free Software Foundation</ulink
! > (<ulink
! url="???"
! >www.fsf.org</ulink
! >), would probably be the best place to begin researching the GPL. </para
! ><para
! >The concept of the GPL with respect to Asterisk works something like this: With most PBXs, you need to pay huge licencing fees, merely to install the software. With Asterisk, all you need to pay is attention to the obligations the GPL places on you. Stated simply, if you are not willing to abide by the terms of the GPL, then you will have to either a) cease using Asterisk, or b) negotiate a separate licencing agreement with Digium, the holders of the copyright on Asterisk.</para
! ><para
! >Feel free to download and use Asterisk as you want; the GPL is all about freedom. But be aware that by using any GPL software, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms of the GPL. </para
></sect3
></sect2
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