A new version of firmware (3.3.5.2) for the Draytek 2820 adsl router has been released. It seems to have resolved some stability issues with VoIP that we had noticed, especially the random dropping of SIP registration to remote servers. Details of the release are:

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Release Notes for Vigor2820 series Firmware Version : 3.3.5.2 (Release) Release Date : 3rd May 2011 Build Date : 7th Apr 2011 Applicable Models : Vigor2820, Vigor2820n, Vigor2820Vn, Vigor2820Vsn ADSL Modem Code : 232201 (Standard) Locale : UK Only / Annex A Only (inc UK Annex M)

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NOTE: ADSL Modem Codes
For general purpose usage on UK lines, modem code 232201 is recommened
For ADSL2+ Annex M lines, the latest modem code, 2471201 is suggested
For line speeds of less than 4Mbps, on lower quality lines a modem code with more conservative paramaters, 211801 is suggested

NOTE: 3G modems
3G Modems listed here indicate drivers have been added but does not confirm compatibility with UK Operators. For the list of officially supported models please see the Vigor2820 specification page http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2820.html

[New Features]

1.  SMTP port can be modified by the user
2.  Support TR-069 parameters for matching with VigorACS SI
3.  Support APP QoS for Firewall
4.  USB Analogue Modem Support

[Improvements and Corrections]

For VPN
1.  IPSec remote dial-in can be connected even no IPSec profile is enabled.
2.  Resolved an issue where the Access list wuld block access to Web UI via remote VPN.

For NAT
3.  Resolved NAT loopback problem.

For VoIP
4.  Resolved VoIP stability issues.
5.  Improved Online Status for VoIP.
6.  Corrected an issue where the fax relay did not receive all of the data from the caller.
7.  Added a new telnet command to disable/enable VoIP service.

For ISDN
8.  Resolved one way audio issue for "call pickup" scenario with VigorIPPBX router.
9.  Solved issue where the first character of the incoming call was missing
10. Resolved issue where router would reboot if ISDN2-S0 phone is used to dial "call pick up" number

For Others
11. Port Trigger renamed as Port Triggering.

Positron Telecom has released its new Asterisk based ippbx system, designed for larger installations with support for 150 concurrent calls.

The G-1000 Office Telephone system by Positron Telecom provide businesses with 250 employees or more a scalable and affordable Business Phone System that takes advantage of all the latest features and functionality and combines them into an easy to manage and configure device. Backed by our free support service, multilingual user configuration and auto configuration phone application, businesses will be content for years to come.

Positron believes it should be easy for you to choose a Business Phone System so we make it as simple as possible. There are no hidden extras, no support fee, we support a multitude of phone manufacturers and we don’t limit the configuration.

The G-1000 provides a very unique feature set for its price point in the market offering over 150 simultaneous calls and the ability to sustain 60 simultaneous call recordings when combined with the ability to add unlimited extensions and unlimited IVRs it is hard to compete against this powerful offering.

Not only will the Positron G-Series Office Gateways save you money but we will also help your corporate image by allowing you to easily configure and customize you voice prompts, welcome messages and call flow through the system. This will allows customers to stay happy and reach the right person quickly and easily.

The G-1000 is sold as an ip only unit but By adding a V-Series adapter into the PCI slot you can add PSTN, ISDN or E1/T1 interfaces. Please select these options when selecting your product.

Applications: Enterprise Phone System / Inbound Call Center

Highlights:

• Installs simply and quickly
• Integrated Firewall
• Unlimited Extensions
• Unlimited IVR menus
• Unlimited Virtual Mailboxes
• Call record 60 calls
• 150 Simultaneous calls
• Free Upgrades
• Free Support
• Supports VoIP out of the box ­ no upgrades required
• Multilingual ­ English, French, Spanish & Portuguese
• Compatible with any 3G USB device, which can offer automatic Internet failover protection
• High Performance embedded CPU at 1.3Ghz
• Single PCI slot of V-Series adapters

http://www.ipchitchat.co.uk/index.php/Positron-Asterisk-Appliance/Positron-Telecom-G-1000-IP-PBX

The first of the rack mount version of the Positron Telecom Asterisk based telephone systems are now available. The 4 models are:

• G122 1U Rackmount - includes 2 x FXO and 2 x FXS
• G124 1U Rackmount - includes 4 x FXO and 2 x FXS
• G224 1U Rackmount - includes 4 x ISDN2 and 2 x FXS
• G320 1U Rackmount - includes 1 x ISDN30 and 2 x FXS

All models include the usual features including: Hardware echo cancellation, Fax to email, Voicemail to email, built in firewall and call recording etc

http://www.ipchitchat.co.uk/index.php/Positron-Asterisk-Appliance/Positron-G320-Asterisk-Appliance-Rack-Mountable

http://www.ipchitchat.co.uk/index.php/Positron-Asterisk-Appliance/Positron-Telecom-G-124-Asterisk-Appliance-Gateway-19-inch-Ra

http://www.ipchitchat.co.uk/index.php/Positron-Asterisk-Appliance/Positron-G224-PBX-Appliance-4-x-isdn2-rackmount

Please contact us for reseller pricing

The Atcom MP01 (Mesh Potato) is an open source wifi mesh ATA/IP-PBX which runs a combination of OpenWrt and Asterisk. The unit provides an inbuilt FXS port to allow connectivity of an analogue device.The MP-01 product was originally designed to provide a simple/low cost communication system in rural areas.

Atcom has informed us of a new application and firmware for Mesh Potato which is currently under testing. This application is designed to set up a wireless voice/data Small Enterprise or Campus Network(SECN). Network structure is detailed below and you can find further details at:

http://www.villagetelco.org/2011/04/small-enterprise-campus-network-secn

and a quick start manual from:

http://wiki.villagetelco.org/images/0/07/SECN_UserGuideV1d4_compressed.pdf

We often get asked how to configure the AT-610 to connect to an asterisk server using IAX protocol.

It is important to note that the AT-610 has two seperate firmware images, one for SIP and one for IAX. By default the AT610 ships with SIP Protocol firmware and therefore if you need IAX functionality, please download the IAX firmware from Atcom's website and update from the GUI.

One important note is that if you have previously configured the phone for SIP, then you need to clear down the configuration in the GUI before performing an upgrade to IAX.

Thanks to Kerry from SOS4Biz for highlighting an issue that seems to arise on some UK PRI lines with the Positron G320 and V310 Telephony products.

If you try and make an outbound call over the PRI lines and recieve a busy conjested message then please add the following to "/etc/asterisk/zapata.conf"

;UK
pridialplan=unknown
prilocaldialplan=unknown
overlapdial=yes
;END-UK

Positron will shortly be adding these changes to a new firmware.

I spent ages trying to find ip addresses for Skype's servers for their Sip gateway service. Fortunately their technical support team were very helpful and provided the ones below. Might prove useful to those of you wanting to tighten your firewall security.

63.209.144.201

204.9.161.164

193.120.218.68

80.252.85.76

78.141.179.70

Besides the 5060 port that needs to be open the only other ports that need to be open are 8000-80xx where xx is a multiple of two per channel.

Hope this proves useful.

It is not widely known, but it is possible to run any of the Positron Asterisk embedded blades and appliances in high availability pairs of master and slave.

Very useful in scenarios where you need to recover quickly from a hardware failure.

The document below is specifically for the V114 embedded asterisk card, but applies equally to any of the products in the Positron range, including the appliances.

High Availability for Positron asterisk based pbx systems

We have just recieved our first stock of the new Atcom IP4G embedded asterisk appliance. The ip4g like all products within the ip0x family, hosts the powerful asterisk telephony application and for the first time, offers support for up to 4 GSM modules.

We offer the product as a standalone ip base unit and you can add up to 4 x G-01 modules depending on your requirements.

• Pricing for the ip-4g unit is £186 plus VAT
• Pricing for G-01 modules are £115 plus VAT each.

If you are an existing Atcom reseller or would like to become one then please enquire about reseller pricing.

Positron has introduced a built in firewall to the first product in their portfolio, the 4 port FXO G124 Asterisk appliance.

For those using internet based voip services, this is a welcome feature in ensuring only authorised access to the pbx.

Screen shots below show the GUI interface for configuring the firewall, although like most features within the Positron's, there is also a command line configuration should this be prefered.

The G224 is the next model to recieve the built in telephony firewall and testing is underway on the V224 embedded asterisk blade.