[asterisk-users] FW: Seamless Multi Office Asterisk Deployment

[kjcsb]

The issue with FreePBX is that it uses the Asterisk database to store user and device information (e.g. who is the currently logged-in user). So you need to replicate that information across multiple machines.

The approach we have taken is to customise FreePBX (not trivial) so that all this information is stored (and looked up) in MySQL. In addition we store the context information to enable partitioning of the dialplan. Then use MySQL replication to push the values out to multiple servers. You could use this method to enable Roaming Extensions. 

You would need a script to push any configuration changes (since FreePBX stores config in the standard flat files) out to the various Asterisk servers (maybe using rsync) and reload the config. Alternatively you could use NFS and store the config centrally (reload still required). Regarding voicemail and recordings, you could use the same approach.

We don't use Branch Unification (yet). You may wish to consider OpenSER as the registrar and then farming out to the various Asterisk servers as appropriate.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Cameron
----- Original Message ----
From: Brandon Comouche <brandon at snofalls.com>
To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
Sent: Tuesday, 13 March, 2007 6:11:12 AM
Subject: [asterisk-users] FW: Seamless Multi Office Asterisk Deployment


Hello
 
I have a brief and a long question about a possible Asterisk deployment I am planning. 
 
Long Story Short:
I have four total offices, one main and three remote. All offices are connected using dedicated network T1 lines creating one unified network across offices. I would like to know if it is possible to set up an Asterisk system with the following capabilities:
- Branch Unification (I know this can be done)
- Branch Independence (In case of T1 network Failure, PSTN line failover at each branch)
- Roaming Extensions (A user can go to any office and log in to a phone – hopefully check voice mail as well)
Basically, I am asking if Asterisk can be a system that will seamlessly operate as one big system and handle failovers as well.
 
After spending hours playing with Asterisk, reading voip-info.org, and watching this list, it seems that Asterisk can handle anything. I just would like re-assurance that I am not chasing a lost cause. A simple Yes or No answer is acceptable to me. Below I have a long version of what I am trying to do if anyone is in the mood to give me more pointers J
 
  Brandon
(Long Version Follows)
 
Long Story Version:
Here is what I have to work with:
- Four Offices (One main and three remote)
- Dedicated T1 lines connecting three remote offices to one main office (all connections made through the main office)
- Will have a T1 Voice line at the main office
- Three PSTN lines at each remote office
 
Essentially what I would like to do is create a system comparable to the ShoreTel ShoreGear product line (if you are familiar with it). This system will seamlessly unite all offices as one and provide failover in the case of line outage. It also allows users to roam from phone to phone across offices seamlessly. It has many more features, but those are two main features I am looking for. About 40 total phones will be deployed. To make it even more difficult, I would like all user extensions to start the same (i.e. across offices all extensions are 5### with no discernable pattern).
 
Progress so far:
At this time I have determined that I will need a server at each office as well as a T1 card (TE110P) at the Main office and the four port TDM PSTN cards at each remote office. I plan on using the Polycom IP 430 or 501 (Undecided, 501 if required). I have been using TrixBox to this point, would like to continue if possible. It appears that I will want to use DunDi in some fashion to unite the branches.
 
My main roadblock right now is trying to figure out how to get all the information across the offices at the same time (extensions, voicemail). I have successfully had two boxes communicate, but what I am looking for is much more complex I feel. I have thought of synchronized MySQL databases, but I do not know if that will work the way I wish.
 
If anyone reads this far ;) I am looking for suggestions for routes I might consider or places I should/could look for more information. I am relatively new to Asterisk, but I am not afraid to get my hands dirty. If something I said did not make any sense or if there is more information I could provide, I am happy to help where I can. Thank you for your time and assistance.
 
  Brandon Comouche
    An IT Guy
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