Re: OGo and Asterisk

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Helge Hess" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2004 9:55 PM
Subject: Re: [OGo-Discuss] OGo and Asterisk


> Hm,
>
> I still have not understood how this works or what it is supposed to
> do. Maybe someone could elaborate.

Think of Asterisk as a OpenSource switchboard that happens to be SIP-enabled
as well as supporting conventional phones.

>
> Some questions:
> - does it integrate somehow with my non-VoIP PBX?

I guess it could. In practice, for my business, it replaces it.

>    - that is: can I use my existing phone?

Yes. It uses (open source hardware!) cards for both trunk lines and
extensions

>    - or do I need to use my laptop with microphone/headset?

Not unless you want to.

> - would it integrate somehow with Apple iChat/AV?

No idea :-)

> - is there something like a phone number?

There is exactly a phone number if you plug it into a POTS (Plain Old
Telephone System) line.

You can use it to dial either SIP or POTS numbers

> - if there isn't something like a phone number, do I need
>    to enter the IP of the target of the phone call?
> - is there something like an "official" registry (like DNS)
>    for Asterisk phone numbers?

Lord no - it's not aiming to introduce a NEW directory service.

> - are there clients for Windows, Linux and MacOSX?
> - if I have a VoIP enable phone, what do I need Asterisk for?
>
> In short: I'm completely confused ;-) and I would appreciate if someone
> would explain why and how I use Asterisk.

I use it so that, when I'm on the road, callers to the office can get me on
my laptop's SIP softphone....

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