[Asterisk-Users] Picking an open channel (FXO port) for outbound calls

[David Gomillion]

Tony Kava <> wrote:
> Greetings:
> 
> I did some quick searching of my history of this list, and I tried a
> quick Google search as well, but perhaps someone on the list can
> quickly answer this question.  I have a very nicely working Asterisk
> system at home with two Digium X100P FXO cards.  When my SIP phones
> want to dial-out I have them setup to grab the first analog card
> (Zap/1) with the following extensions.conf segment:     
> 
> ==== snippet ====
> 
> ; Outbound
> exten => _9.,1,Dial(Zap/1/${EXTEN:1},90,Tt)
> exten => _9.,2,Macro(fastbusy)
> exten => _9.,102,Macro(fastbusy)
> 
> ==== /snippet ====
> 
> Zap/1 and Zap/2 are analog phone lines.  What is the best method of
> picking an open line when someone tries to dial-out? i.e. if Zap/1 is
> in use how can I instruct Asterisk to use Zap/2 and vice versa? I
> know complex methods of making this happen, but I'm sure there is a
> very simple way to accomplish this task.    
> 
> Thanks.

I think the generally accepted method of this is using groups.  Assign
both lines to a single group, then dial out using the group instead of
interface.  I believe it's in zapata.conf.

I hope this gets you pointed in the right direction, 
David Gomillion