[asterisk-users] [HELP]: Auto-answering calls placed from call files

[Matthew Jordan]

On Tue, Jan 28, 2014 at 10:56 AM, Steve McCann <srmccann at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> I've asked this on the asterisk-dev list, so sorry for cross-posting. So far
> I'm not sure how to accomplish this without looking at the source code or
> looking at some other way to get around this issue.
>
>
> I'm trying to have an automated call to an Aastra SIP phone and have the
> call auto-answeredby the phone. I know that a SIP call placed to the phone
> can be auto-answered if a certain SIP header is added to the call. I am able
> to apply the SIP headers manually and get that working (using
> SIPAddHeader(Alert-Info: info=alert-autoanswer) in the dialplan, but for
> call files, I don't seem to be able to edit any of the sip headers - there
> is only basic customizations allowed to setup the calls.
>
> Does anyone know how I could place automated outgoing calls that would have
> the proper sip headers added to it that would allow the call to be
> auto-answered?
>
> I've also posted this question to the forums here:
> http://forums.asterisk.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=89190
>
> Many thanks,
> Steve
>

This isn't a development question, as it doesn't relate to the actual
Asterisk source code itself. Cross-posting across the -dev and -users
lists isn't helpful either, as pretty much everyone who is subscribed
to the asterisk-dev list is also subscribed to the asterisk-users
list.

As SIPAddHeader is a dialplan application and not a dialplan function,
it cannot be used from a call file. One approach to performing an
outbound call that requires SIPAddHeader - and that doesn't rely on
undocumented behaviour - is to use the call file to create a Local
channel in the dialplan that dials the SIP channel, and use
SIPAddHeader from there. A quick Google indicates others have used a
similar approach in the past as well [1].

[1] http://lists.digium.com/pipermail/asterisk-users/2008-January/204375.html

Matt

-- 
Matthew Jordan
Digium, Inc. | Engineering Manager
445 Jan Davis Drive NW - Huntsville, AL 35806 - USA
Check us out at: http://digium.com & http://asterisk.org