[Asterisk-Users] Comparision of IAX2, FWD, iaxtel etc etc.

[Jim Van Meggelen]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Dent [mailto:mcdent at gmail.com] 
> Sent: November 29, 2004 6:31 PM
> To: jim at vanmeggelen.ca
> Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] Comparision of IAX2, FWD, 
> iaxtel etc etc.
> 
> 
> Hi Jim,
> many thanks for your great reply!

You're welcome.

> So it looks like I should concentrate on getting FWD working 
> both ways  via my Asterisk box, assuming I can manage to 
> negotiate my NAT router.

That sounds like a solid plan to me. The folks you want to connect to
through FWD can be instructed to install the Pulver.communicator
(http://www.pulver.com/communicator/), which is easy for newbs to set
up, or, anyone with SIP endpoints can register with FWD and use their
SIP devices, while you have it all nicely tied in with your Asterisk.
When you're ready to go to IAX, you'll be coming at it with a solid
foundation.

> I managed to sign up with voicepulse.com (connect account) 
> and was able to call a friend of my wifes in the US this 
> evening, very impressive! Snag was I could not get her off 
> the phone, I think she was on about 45 mins for something 
> like $1.20, very impressive!

It cost MONEY?!?! Oh no! THAT'S not right . . . ;-)

Cheers,

Jim



 
> On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 18:21:18 -0500, Jim Van Meggelen 
> <jim at vanmeggelen.ca> wrote:
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > 
> > 
> > > From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com
> > > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com] On 
> Behalf Of Mike 
> > > Dent
> > > Sent: November 29, 2004 4:03 PM
> > > To: Asterisk-Users at lists.digium.com
> > > Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Comparision of IAX2, FWD, 
> iaxtel etc etc.
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I've been setting up * recently and slowly getting to 
> grips with it, 
> > > however I'm getting rather confused with all the 
> different configs 
> > > for IAX calls, FWD calls iaxtel etc etc. What I think I need it a 
> > > basic understanding or even a comparison of these different voip 
> > > systems (if thats what they are?)
> > 
> > IAX2 is a VoIP protocol created by Mark Spencer and 
> released under the 
> > GPL. It is an alternative to SIP, MGCP, H.323 and the like. 
> To those 
> > familiar with it, it is considered to be technically 
> superior to all 
> > other VoIP protocols, and is popularly expected to render all the 
> > others obsolete.
> > 
> > FWD and IAXtel are free VoIP "phone companies", if you 
> will, who use 
> > one or more of the aforementioned protocols. Anyone can sign up for 
> > these networks, get an ID number, give that number to their 
> friends, 
> > and make calls between each other. Similar to ICQ, MSN 
> messenger and 
> > the like, only focused on voice.
> > 
> > FWD is FreeWorldDialup.com, Jeff Pulver's free VoIP network. It 
> > officially runs the SIP protocol, but there is experimental support 
> > for the IAX2 protocol. Official IAX2 support is coming.
> > 
> > IAXtel.com is a similar service to FWD, but it is hosted by 
> Digium and 
> > officially its purpose is as follows: "The IAXtel network 
> is primarily 
> > used by Asterisk developers and hobbyists to test and use their 
> > systems and study VoIP." Despite it's experimental status, 
> IAXtel has 
> > over six thousand registered users.
> > 
> > > I'd like to be able to make calls to other voip users, 
> both in the 
> > > UK and abroad and also make calls out on to the UK and US 
> networks 
> > > if possible.
> > 
> > Out of the services/protocols you've listed, FWD may be 
> your best bet. 
> > It's standards based (SIP), well supported, and an easily 
> installable 
> > client is available for Windows.
> > 
> > IAXtel is somewhat experimental, and is still somewhat 
> > Asterisk-centric.
> > 
> > There are also other companies offering these services, but 
> they are 
> > not free. Actually, if you want to hop off any VoIP network 
> onto the 
> > PSTN, you're going to pay for it somehow or another. DUNDi 
> may change 
> > all that (sorry for throwing a new term at you, but might 
> as well get 
> > used to it . . . ).
> > 
> > > I'd also like to receive calls via a voip number?
> > 
> > Naturally. Any of these services offer this kind of functionality.
> > 
> > > My * box is on my local LAN behind a nat router if that helps.
> > 
> > One of the reasons IAX2 is considered better than SIP is 
> its ability 
> > to pass through NATted firewalls without any special hacks. SIP is 
> > somewhat more cumbersome in that regard. SIP is, however, the most 
> > widely embraced VoIP protocol at this time. Again, many 
> expect IAX2 to 
> > supplant it, but that has not happend yet.
> > 
> > Too many choices, eh?
> > 
> > Cheers,
> > 
> > Jim.
> > 
> >
>