[Asterisk-Users] Fail over

[James Taylor]

On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 05:03:33 +0800, El Flynn <el_flynn at lanvik-icu.com>  
wrote:

> Rich Adamson wrote:
>>> No, that's a service, or at least I think it is, the sales garbage  
>>> obscures
>>> what it really is so who knows.
>>>
>>> What I need is a little box that diverts calls if the PBX goes down.
>>   FYI, the topic has been discussed previously on the list, and the
>> problem that you're trying to address is far more difficult that
>> what you might think.
>>  The issue is... how do you know when the pbx is down?
>>  - machine is up, asterisk is down
>>  - machine is up, asterisk is up but not responding  - machine is down  
>> hard (somewhat easier to address)
>>  Some of the previous postings noted using a relay to transfer t1's,
>> pri's, etc, to a second machine; however, tripping the relay still
>> requires some sort of watchdog timer that would sense inactivity.
>> There is no code in asterisk to trigger that process today.
>
> Dataprobe makes a range of A/B switches, some with more "intelligence"  
> that you might be able to use in this scenario. One of their products  
> (check out http://www.dataprobe.com/switch/ab_net.html) has a feature  
> which pings a specific IP address, and switches over once it stops  
> getting a response.
>
> Some of their products are programmable too, where you can send TCP  
> messages to initiate the switching process. Check out their website for  
> more products.
>
> Flynn
>
> p/s I am in no way related to Dataprobe. This is just some stuff I  
> received from them when asking a similar question on the list about six  
> months ago.
>
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You could use "WhatsUp Gold" or write your own code to monitor the  
Asterisk box.
In WhatsUp, you can ping and/or define a custom device monitor.
You custom device monitor can initiate a SIP or IAX conversation on the  
proper port if the response is correct all is well if not:
Page me
email me
run an .exe
1)  Running an .exe file that sends commands to an X10 appliance module(s).
Turn off failed server, turn on standby.
This requires boot time.

2) Running an .exe file that sends commands to the serial port.
Attached to the serial port is a "BASIC STAMP"
http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/products/basicstamps/basic_stamps.asp
Buy the developers kit first time, then just the modules.
It has 8 I/O ports that will control a 5v relay from RadioShack.
No real skill needed here sample programs come with the kit.
Program, attach serial cable.
Second Stamp is dirt cheap.  Jameco has them too.

You could also attach the Stamp directly to the Asterisk box and run a  
cron job to "tickle" the BasicStamp to tell it "I'm Alive", if the event  
fails, trigger your relays and switch your ethernet cables.

The Stamps are really stable.

Also the STAMPII and above will send X10 commands.

Yet another choice is to get a PCI watchdog timer board.
http://www.cyberresearch.com/store/pc-accessories-computer-parts/computer-accessories-pc-peripherals/watchdog-timers-wdt/WDT_PCIX_3118.2.htm

http://www.berkprod.com/prices.htm

Use them with relay to control ethernet or rely on them to reboot.

-- 
James Taylor
MetroTel
3505 Summerihll Road
Suite 11
Texarkana, Texas  75503
903-793-1956