[asterisk-users] Any good guides for installing Asterisk on Embedded systems like Alix boards?

[Gordon Henderson]

On Mon, 8 Nov 2010, Bruce B wrote:

> Yes, it is a small office. I am familiar with pfSense. I am not sure if
> firewall on Astlinux is as versatile and flexible. But also, I am wondering
> if with all those attacks around now-a-days if the box will be able to
> handle 5 extensions, voicemail, IVR, firewall, DHCP, openvpn all together.

I've benchmarked an Alix board with a 500MHz processor to 80 concurrent 
calls handling media.

They're the mainstay of my small office VoIp only PBX range right now 
where I limit them to 60 extensions. (the real limitation on number of 
calls is their broadband bandwidth). Storing voicemail and call recording 
won't be an issue for you - but do get a fast CF card.

http://unicorn.drogon.net/cutie.jpg

What you need to do is learn Linux networking and iptables - then you 
won't need pfsense, etc. Install a good text-only distribution and you're 
done. e.g. Debian Lenny in text-only mode. To get he best from the 
hardware then you'll need a custom kernel, but that's no big deal.

However the thing that will kill it is multiple VPN terminations - unless 
you can persuade the system to use the on-board AES crypto engine, but I 
regularly use ssh into my systems without any detriment, so you could use 
OpenVPN, etc.

I am considering making my boxes into a router and handle PPPoE too, then 
they can do proper traffic shaping, etc. They're more than capable.

Gordon