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== What is AllStarLink Asterisk (ASL)? ==

== What is AllStarLink Asterisk (ASL)? ==

:ASL is the software used to create an AllStar node. It consists of Linux, Asterisk and app_rpt. ASL uses the Debian version of Linux. Asterisk is the OpenSource PBX. App_rpt is an Asterisk application giving it the radio node functions. ASL runs on x86 or on the Raspberry Pi (ARM version).

:ASL is the software used to create an PTTLink node. It consists of Linux, Asterisk and app_rpt. ASL uses the Debian version of Linux. Asterisk is the OpenSource PBX. App_rpt is an Asterisk application giving it the radio node functions. ASL runs on x86 or on the Raspberry Pi (ARM version).

== What does ASL stand for? ==

== What does ASL stand for? ==

==How is a ASL Node configured? ==

==How is a ASL Node configured? ==

:Briefly, a single node configuration is straight forward. Once you are logged in run asl-menu. The system will walk you through a first time setup of your node by asking you a number of questions. You'll need to have created an AllStar account, created a server, requested a node number and have your node's password.  

:Briefly, a single node configuration is straight forward. Once you are logged in run asl-menu. The system will walk you through a first time setup of your node by asking you a number of questions. You'll need to have created an PTTLink account, created a server, requested a node number and have your node's password.  

== How many nodes can ASL support on a single server? ==

== How many nodes can ASL support on a single server? ==

== I have a question not covered in this FAQ, how do I get an answer? ==

== I have a question not covered in this FAQ, how do I get an answer? ==

: There is a wealth of information on AllStar Asterisk at on this [[Main Page|wiki]] There is also a user mail list at [http://lists.allstarlink.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users http://lists.allstarlink.org/]

: There is a wealth of information on AllStarLink Asterisk at on this [[Main Page|wiki]] There is also a user mail list at [http://lists.keekles.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users http://lists.keekles.org/]

== How do I change my network (adapter) setup? ==

== How do I change my network (adapter) setup? ==

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

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

: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.

:The easy way is to download the iso image from [[PTTLink|https://github.com/pttlink/Asterisk/releases]], 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.

  No. In fact, direct dynamic-IP to dynamic-IP connections 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).

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

== How are incoming PTTLink connections authenticated? ==

: 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 PTTLink nodes is periodically downloaded from one of several PTTLink 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.

== 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 PTTLink? ==

: 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.

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

== Will app_rpt interconnect with Echolink? ==

== Will app_rpt interconnect with Echolink? ==

: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.

: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 PTLink ([2,4-5]), Echolink (3) node numbers.

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

== Do I have to join the PTTLink Network? ==

: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 PTTLink.

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

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