Asterisk vs ISDN

Some information on how to conect Asterisk to the ISDN 		Chapter 4:

Conclusion / Contact

Last update:
2020-03-29
<-- Chapter 3-3
Supported features 		^
index 		Chapter 5 -->
Usual configuration issues
 
 

 

Conclusion

If you want to use ISDN with Asterisk, it is worth using recent releases of all parts.
Since Asterisk 1.8 appeared it was often necessary to use SVN/GIT versions to get things going.
Using SVN/GIT can make updating easier, but the release version seem to be reasonably stable/usable by now.

I strongly recommend using the latest stable release of at least Asterisk version 1.8 or better Asterisk 11.

 

Even if you do use a recent version, it's best not to expect anything to work so you can feel positive about the things that do work. :-)

A really big issue is that none of the channels support HOLD/CW externally or in other words: You can only have one call per B-channel.
That could mean you need more lines than you would with a conventional PBX (or without a PBX).
To be fair, some commercial PBXs have the same issue, but I think that a serious disadvantages to not having a PBX at all is rather ... serious.

Take a simple example for explanation: Imagine the simplest setup - you've got a BRI at home.
Now let's say your spouse is on the phone talking to someone and so are you. Now someone tries to call you. No issue if you have a conventional PBX or even no PBX at all with just your phones connected directly to the line. You'd excuse yourself and put your call on hold to take to the new call. After hearing the caller, you then decide weather you want to continue your first or the new conversation or maybe even to start a three-way call with both of them.
Now with Asterisk you can only do that if there is no other call active at that time.
And there's no simple way to do a three-way call, either. You have to transfer both dialogue partners to a conference room and then join yourself as well. That is not only a lot more complicated than just pressing one button and takes a lot more time, it also means there's no way to end that conference from your phone, either.

 

Contact

If you have comments, corrections or additions, please contact me:
Using mail requires some luck due to evil spam filtering side effects.
The best option is to contact me on IRC. You can find me on ircnet or on freenode in #asterisk or #asterisk-de.
 

 

 
<-- Chapter 3-3
Supported features 		^
index 		Chapter 5 -->
Usual configuration issues