Changes

: Do the following:  sudo touch /etc/asterisk/firsttime && sudo /usr/local/sbin/first-time

: Do the following:  sudo touch /etc/asterisk/firsttime && sudo /usr/local/sbin/first-time

= Q. How do I obtain the software? ==

== Q. How do I obtain the software? ==

'''A'''. The easy way is to download the iso image from Allstarlink.org, make an install CD, follow the instructions, and run the auto install disk.

:The easy way is to download the iso image from [[Main Page#Downloads|Allstarlink.org]], make an install CD, follow the instructions, and run the auto install disk.

For those who are technically savvy, and want to control the installation process to a fine level of granularity, app_rpt is an application which comes bundled with Asterisk, however, a later version may be available on our source repository. All you need to do is go to asterisk.org, download asterisk, configure the asterisk to build app_rpt by modifying the Makefile in the asterisk/apps directory, and then compile and install it. You can get the latest version of app_rpt.c along with the sound files, and sample configuration files from our repository mentioned in the developers section of this website.

For those who are technically savvy, and want to control the installation process to a fine level of granularity, app_rpt is an application which comes bundled with Asterisk, however, a later version may be available on our source repository. All you need to do is go to asterisk.org, download asterisk, configure the asterisk to build app_rpt by modifying the Makefile in the asterisk/apps directory, and then compile and install it. You can get the latest version of app_rpt.c along with the sound files, and sample configuration files from our repository mentioned in the developers section of this website.

=== Q. What are the hardware interface board options? ===

== What are the hardware interface board options? ==

'''A.''' There are three different ways to interface your radio with app_rpt/Asterisk. The first (and most preferred) way is to use our Quad Radio PCI card. The audio quality the best when the Quad Radio PCI card is used. The second way is to purchase the ready-made DMK Engieering URI, and the third way is to modify a generic USB fob using the instructions on this website. See the next question.

:There are three different ways to interface your radio with app_rpt/Asterisk. The first (and most preferred) way is to use our Quad Radio PCI card. The audio quality the best when the Quad Radio PCI card is used. The second way is to purchase the ready-made DMK Engieering URI, and the third way is to modify a generic USB fob using the instructions on this website. See the next question.

=== Q. Can I build my own hardware interface board? ===

==Can I build my own hardware interface board? ==

'''A.''' You can modify a CM-108 USB sound fob to bring out PTT and use that as your hardware interface. The modification procedure is located here

:You can modify a CM-108 USB sound fob to bring out PTT and use that as your hardware interface. The modification procedure is located here

=== Q. How fast does the computer need to be? ===

==How fast does the computer need to be? ==

'''A.''' This is going to depend on the number of simultaneous connections you wish to support. For USB interfaces, more processor horsepower is necessary. If you are going to use a USB interface, then the CPU speed should ne no less than 1.2GHz. For the quad radio PCI card, the system will work just fine with 800MHz CPU's.

:This is going to depend on the number of simultaneous connections you wish to support. For USB interfaces, more processor horsepower is necessary. If you are going to use a USB interface, then the CPU speed should ne no less than 1.2GHz. For the quad radio PCI card, the system will work just fine with 800MHz CPU's.

=== Q. What type of Internet connection is required? ===

== What type of Internet connection is required? ==

'''A.''' A broadband connection is required. The connection should support at least 512 kilobits down and 128 kilobits up.

:A broadband connection is required. The connection should support at least 512 kilobits down and 128 kilobits up.

=== Q. How much bandwidth is required per connection? ===

== How much bandwidth is required per connection? ==

'''A.''' Because we use the ADPCM (g726aal2) codec in Asterisk, each connection from/to a remote node will require about 55 kilobits/sec (at the IP packet level) of bandwidth in both directions. Optionally, the GSM codec can be used and the bandwidth requirement will be 35 kilobits/sec, but the audio quality will suffer.

:Because we use the ADPCM (g726aal2) codec in Asterisk, each connection from/to a remote node will require about 55 kilobits/sec (at the IP packet level) of bandwidth in both directions. Optionally, the GSM codec can be used and the bandwidth requirement will be 35 kilobits/sec, but the audio quality will suffer.

=== Q. How is the audio quality? ===

== How is the audio quality? ==

'''A.''' The frequency response when ADPCM is used will be very close to telephone voice grade (telephone voice grade is defined as 3db points at 300-3400Hz, 1000Hz 0db reference). Additionally, we optionally support the G.711 codec which is superior ro ADPCM at the expense of bandwidth.

:The frequency response when ADPCM is used will be very close to telephone voice grade (telephone voice grade is defined as 3db points at 300-3400Hz, 1000Hz 0db reference). Additionally, we optionally support the G.711 codec which is superior ro ADPCM at the expense of bandwidth.

=== Q. Is there any audio delay incurred in the system? ===

==Is there any audio delay incurred in the system? ==

'''A.''' Yes. Due to the fact that the system is TDM (Time Domain Multiplexed) and there is overhead involved to perform DSP functions in Asterisk, there is audio delay for both local connections and there is additional audio delay from connections made over the Internet.

: Yes. Due to the fact that the system is TDM (Time Domain Multiplexed) and there is overhead involved to perform DSP functions in Asterisk, there is audio delay for both local connections and there is additional audio delay from connections made over the Internet.

=== Q. What ports need to be opened on my router? ===

== What ports need to be opened on my router? ==

'''A'''. Port 4569/UDP for IAX2, and optionally port 22/TCP for SSH.

:Port 4569/UDP for IAX2, and optionally port 22/TCP for SSH.

=== Q. Does app_rpt work through NAT routers? ===

== Does app_rpt work through NAT routers? ==

'''A.''' Yes. Port 4569 should be forwareded to the Asterisk machine behind the router to accept incoming connections. In addition, it will work when both ends are behind a NAT router.

Yes. Port 4569 should be forwareded to the Asterisk machine behind the router to accept incoming connections. In addition, it will work when both ends are behind a NAT router.

=== Q. Is a static IP address required? ===

== Is a static IP address required? ==

'''A.''' No. In fact, direct dynamic-IP to dynamic-IP conections are possible using standard authentication (see next question).

No. In fact, direct dynamic-IP to dynamic-IP connections are possible using standard authentication (see next question).

=== Q. How are incoming Allstar Link connections authenticated? ===

== How are incoming Allstar Link connections authenticated? ==

'''A.''' Authentication is done by verifying source and destination node number and IP address and the intrinsic security features of the IAX2 protocol. A table of valid Allstar nodes is periodically downloaded from one of several Allstar Link servers. No call will be connected unless the IAX2 call is completed without failure, and the calling node number, called node number, and source IP address all match what is in the table.

: Authentication is done by verifying source and destination node number and IP address and the intrinsic security features of the IAX2 protocol. A table of valid Allstar nodes is periodically downloaded from one of several Allstar Link servers. No call will be connected unless the IAX2 call is completed without failure, and the calling node number, called node number, and source IP address all match what is in the table.

=== Q. How does a node know how to connect to another node on Allstar Link? ===

== How does a node know how to connect to another node on Allstar Link? ==

'''A.''' Allstar link has an IP address distribution mechanism to periodically update all valid allstar link nodes. This information is automatically retrieved from a set of redundant Allstar node servers by a script which runs in the background on the Allstar link node. Additionally, each node periodically informs an Allstar registration server of its current IP address using the IAX register statement in iax.conf. In this way, all nodes in the Allstar link system are kept up to date with everyone's latest IP address.

: Allstar link has an IP address distribution mechanism to periodically update all valid allstar link nodes. This information is automatically retrieved from a set of redundant Allstar node servers by a script which runs in the background on the Allstar link node. Additionally, each node periodically informs an Allstar registration server of its current IP address using the IAX register statement in iax.conf. In this way, all nodes in the Allstar link system are kept up to date with everyone's latest IP address.

=== Q. Will app_rpt interconnect with Echolink? ===

== Will app_rpt interconnect with Echolink? ==

'''A.''' Yes.There are two channel drivers chan_echolink for Echolink connections. Echolinkincoming and outgoing connections are supported through this channel driver. Incoming connections are made from any Echolink node in the usual manner. An app_rpt user dials an additional prefix digit in the connect command to distinguish between Allstar (2), Echolink (3) node numbers.

:Yes. There are two channel drivers chan_echolink for Echolink connections. Echolink incoming and outgoing connections are supported through this channel driver. Incoming connections are made from any Echolink node in the usual manner. An app_rpt user dials an additional prefix digit in the connect command to distinguish between Allstar ([2,4-5]), Echolink (3) node numbers.

=== Q. Do I have to join the Allstar Link Network? ===

== Do I have to join the Allstar Link Network? ==

'''A.''' No. You may implement your own private network, or allow connections to many networks including or not including All Star Link.

:No. You may implement your own private network, or allow connections to many networks including or not including All Star Link.

=== Q. Can I use app_rpt/Asterisk on an existing Asterisk PBX setup? ===

== Can I use app_rpt/Asterisk on an existing Asterisk PBX setup? ==

'''A.''' Yes. You just have to have compatible Asterisk hardware installed for both the phones and the radio.

: Yes. You just have to have compatible Asterisk hardware installed for both the phones and the radio.

=== Q. Can I use a SIP ATA in place of a Zaptel Interface? ===

== Can I use a SIP ATA in place of a Zaptel Interface? ==

'''A.''' This is a popular question. The short answer: No. Even though Asterisk supports SIP, the SIP protocol currently does not support signalling to detect COR state changes and to key and unkey the transmitter. This is really unfortunate as there are lots of SIP analog telephone adapters available inexpensively.

: This is a popular question. The short answer: No. Even though Asterisk supports SIP, the SIP protocol currently does not support signalling to detect COR state changes and to key and unkey the transmitter. This is really unfortunate as there are lots of SIP analog telephone adapters available inexpensively.

=== Q. Why would I use app_rpt instead of IRLP or Echolink? ===

== Why would I use app_rpt instead of IRLP or Echolink? ==

'''A.''' To have control of your radio network.

: To have control of your radio network, and understand how it works and be able to change it.

To be able to:

To be able to:

Remotely command any node from any other node.

Remotely command any node from any other node.

=== Q. Can I connect to an app_rpt node with my computer? ===

== Can I connect to an app_rpt node with my computer? ==

'''A.''' Yes. See our Iaxrpt project

: Yes. See our Iaxrpt project

=== Q. Do I have to be an Linux wiz, Asterisk wiz, Radio wiz, and TCP/IP wiz to use app_rpt effectively? ===

== Do I have to be an Linux wiz, Asterisk wiz, Radio wiz, and TCP/IP wiz to use app_rpt effectively? ==

'''A.''' Yes, it certainly helps, but with the auto-install CD available from dl.allstarlink.org, all you do to get a single node system up and running is follow our instructions, burn the ISO image, plug in your interface hardware, and boot from the ISO image to install everything.

: Yes, it certainly helps, but with the auto-install CD available from [[Main Page#Downloads|wiki.allstarlink.org]], all you do to get a single node system up and running is follow our instructions, burn the ISO image, plug in your interface hardware, and boot from the ISO image to install everything.

=== Q. Why did we fork Asterisk? ===

== Why did we fork Asterisk? ==

'''A.''' Asterisk is undergoing a significant amount of change at Digium. Because of this, and the long time it takes to get patches approved, we decided to drive a stake in the ground and archive the Asterisk and Zaptel/Dahdi sources on our repository with the required changes to support the latest version of app_rpt. If the need arises, we may fetch a later version of Asterisk and Dahdi from Digium and make the necessary changes to it to support app_rpt (a formward port). Back pointing changes to support app_rpt into the Digium source tree at this point does not seem likely at least at this point in time.

:Asterisk is undergoing a significant amount of change at Digium. Because of this, and the long time it takes to get patches approved, we decided to drive a stake in the ground and archive the Asterisk and Zaptel/Dahdi sources on our repository with the required changes to support the latest version of app_rpt. If the need arises, we may fetch a later version of Asterisk and Dahdi from Digium and make the necessary changes to it to support app_rpt (a forward port). Back pointing changes to support app_rpt into the Digium source tree at this point does not seem likely at least at this point in time.