Monday, June 28, 2010

Debugging Asterisk Tips

It is a common problem that people starting out with Asterisk PBX find it difficult to diagnose where problems arise. Here is a quick blog that may help someone in that situation.

To debug asterisk you need to get hold of the asterisk messages and any other log info you can. This isn't always so simple if you have a busy system as so many records are created.

If you have a lot of calls its important to be very quick when you place a test call and capture output so you won't have multiple calls in the same capture.

Log into your asterisk server via ssh.

Usually I then type :

asterisk -rx "sip set debug on"
asterisk -rcvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv> /usr/local/admin/htdocs/debug.txt

(note 1: you can use asterisk -rx "sip set debug on IP" if you know a particular IP, or use PEER. Type help from the command line for options)

(note 2: replace /usr/local/admin/htdocs/debug.txt with some path on your server. If the path is to htdocs then you can easily download the capture using a browser)

And after that I call the number that I want to test and then I hangup when the call goes through. Then I quickly stop the asterisk capture with CTRL+C.

After that I verify the Asterisk capture. I just download it and view in a text editor.

In this situation I only verified the Asterisk log but in another situation I might have to check the SIP packets. To do that I use tcdump.

If tcpdump is not installed you can run 'yum install tcpdump' on a linux system to install.

I then run something like

'tcpdump -p udp -s 4096 -w /usr/local/admin/htdocs/capture.pcap'

to capture all traffic.

or, 'tcpdump -w /usr/local/admin/htdocs/capture.pcap -s 0 host sip.avoipcarrier.net' to get a dump for just one host.

After I place a call from an extension to an specific number I stop the capture with CTRL+C and I download the capture to my computer.

Then using a tool like Wireshark (you can find that on the internet since its a free tool) I verify the call flows and view the SIP messages.

I guess this is a basic howto on how to debug basic things. if you want to learn more check some articles regarding basic call flows and how SIP handles basic transactions.

Also check some tutorials about Wireshark (source/destination port/address, how to debug rtp, sip messages, filters, jitter...).

I hope this helps.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Using 3CXphone

3CXPhone is a free VoIP phone that allows you to use your PC or laptop as a phone.
You can connect 3CXPhone to a VOIP provider such as mydivert.com to make calls to any VoIP, mobile or landline number. By adding an incoming virtual number to your mydivert.com account you can be instantly contactable on a local number from over 65 countries worlwide.

To download 3cxphone simply visit the 3cx website. The download is 3MB and installation only takes a couple of minutes.

The 3CXphone compares very favourably to other softphones. Time to establish SIP registartion is fast and dialed calls are established almost immediatly. The phone interface is attractive and user friendly. All the usual features are provided such as voicemail alerts, address book, call records etc.

To configure 3CXphone with mydivert.com you should create a new SIP profile and add your account details as below:



The advanced settings can then be set. We added *95 as the voicemail access number, and checked that the SIP transport method is set to UDP (important!). As we are running the sofphone nehind a NAT router we set a short registration period (2 - 5 mins) to help with keep-alives and maintain the phoen presence.

As we want the phone to send DTMF tones that we will use when logging into out voicemail system we unchecked the INBAND and SIPINFO DTMF signaling. These methods are not supported.



That's all. The softphone works very well and we would rate it with 5 stars.

3CX also offer complete pbx systems for windows which work well with our sip trunking service.

SIP Trunking for PBX

We have introduced a new feature to the user account area allowing the user to enable/disable the SIP Trunking Service for PBX users.

This feature will provide additional flexability to our system, allowing the use of SIP accounts with standard VoIP endpoint equipment, extension telephone devices and softphones etc, as well as PBX servers such as Asterisk and FreePBX. Previously the SIP Trunking Service had to be enabled by our support engineers on request.

What is a SIP Trunking Service?
Sounds very technical, and expensive.... like a lot of the termanology that surrounds VoIP. In truth, it is very simple, and doesn't cost a thing.

SIP Trunking for PBX just sends call invites in a different form so that a PBX knows on which DID number a call arrives and can route it to the correct endpoint.

Invite for PBX : DIDNUMBER@IP:port
Invite for extension device : SIPUSERNUMBER@IP:port

It is important that the correct invite is sent for the correct equipment else incoming calls are not received.

By adding a feature to 'toggle' between invite forms we enable both possabilities.

SIP Trunks can work with any SIP-ready PBX - contact us if you have any questions.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

virtuellt nummer Sverige

virtuellt nummer Sverige - alla riktnummer tillgangliga .... which we believe translates as "virtual number sweden - all area codes available" !!

However it translates, we are still very pleased to introduce a complete numbering range of local area codes from our Swedish VoIP partners.

These DID are excellent quality and enabled with 5 channels for incoming calls.

Two National area codes are also available, 46-10 and 46-77.

Each DID number is billed on a fixed monthly fee basis with no per-minute charges. Incoming SIP calls are free. The call forwarding destination of the virtual number, or SIP URI mapping, can be updated at any time via the user account area at mydivert.com

- enjoy

Australian Virtual Numbers

We are pleased to introduce additional local area codes for our Australian virtual number coverage.

The additional local area codes are;

Australian DID area - Geelong: +61 352
Australian DID area - Gosford: +61 243
Australian DID area - Launceston: +61 363
Australian DID area - Thuringova: +61 747
Australian DID area - Wollongong: +61 242

These Australian DID virtual numbers are now available for immediate purchase at mydivert.com.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Nederland Virtual Numbers

A complete Geographical Virtual Number range is now available at mydivert.com for the Netherlands (Nederland).

All Dutch Virtual Numbers are enabled with up to 10 channels for incoming sip calls and cost only €5.50 per month.

Now you can have telephone numbers from virtualy anywhere in the Netherlands that can be directed to (ring-to) any phone or sip uri in the world.

Free Unlimited Incoming SIP Calls
No Setup Fees - Cancel Anytime

A local address corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required for Nederland DID numbers.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Bria Softphone for Iphone

CounterPath, the makers of the popular X-Lite and Bria softphone, just went mobile with their SIP application for the Apple Iphone.

The Bria iPhone Edition enables enterprise-class security with call signaling and audio encryption via TLS and SRTP. This makes the softphone a first of its kind.

Bria iPhone Edition also integrates seamlessly with the Desktop softphone application.

Bria iPhone Edition Features include:

Full SIP compliance, enabling use with any SIP-compliant server.

Call quality that's superior to circuit-switched wireline and wireless voice, and based on the G.711, G.729 and GSM codecs.

An intuitive user interface that provides one-touch access to voicemail, call history, speakerphone and other frequently used telephony features such as 4-digit dialing.

Support for DTMF, which lets you enter numbers to access an auto attendant.

Multi-call management options, including the ability to switch between, merge and split calls, all in ways that are already familiar to iPhone users so you can start using these features immediately.

Take the exceptional voice quality, security and usability of your Bria desktop to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and make free and low-cost calls over your 3G or Wi-Fi network to anyone, anywhere.

Take advantage of the limited-time introductory pricing of only $3.99 USD!

View Bria Iphone Edition at www.counterpath.com

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Complete UK Numbering Available

We are pleased to announce the introduction of a complete UK numbering range to mydivert.com

All UK DID virtual numbers are enabled with 30 channels, include unlimited incoming sip calls free of charges, and cost only €2.95 per month.

Codes available:

113 Leeds
114 Sheffield
115 Nottingham
116 Leicester
117 Bristol (Bristol Inner)
118 Reading
1200 Clitheroe
1202 Bournemouth
1204 Bolton
1205 Boston
1206 Colchester
1207 Consett
1208 Bodmin
1209 Redruth
121 Birmingham
1223 Cambridge
1224 Aberdeen
1225 Bath
1226 Barnsley
1227 Canterbury
1228 Carlisle
1229 Barrow-in Furness - Millom
1233 Ashford (Kent)
1234 Bedford
1235 Abingdon
1236 Coatbridge
1237 Bideford
1239 Cardigan
1241 Arbroath
1242 Cheltenham
1243 Chichester
1244 Chester
1245 Chelmsford
1246 Chesterfield
1248 Bangor (Gwynedd)
1249 Chippenham
1250 Blairgowrie
1252 Aldershot
1253 Blackpool
1254 Blackburn
1255 Clacton-on-Sea
1256 Basingstoke
1257 Coppull
1258 Blandford
1259 Alloa
1260 Congleton
1261 Banff
1262 Bridlington
1263 Cromer
1264 Andover
1267 Carmarthen
1268 Basildon
1269 Ammanford
1270 Crewe
1271 Barnstaple
1273 Brighton
1274 Bradford
1275 Clevedon (Bristol Outer)
1276 Camberley
1277 Brentwood
1278 Bridgwater
1279 Bishops Stortford
1280 Buckingham
1282 Burnley
1283 Burton-on-Trent
1284 Bury-St-Edmunds
1285 Cirencester
1286 Caernarvon
1287 Guisborough
1288 Bude
1289 Berwick-on-Tweed
1290 Cumnock
1291 Chepstow (Shirenewton)
1292 Ayr
1293 Crawley
1294 Ardrossan
1295 Banbury
1296 Aylesbury
1297 Axminster
1298 Buxton
1299 Bewdley
1300 Cerne Abbas
1301 Arrochar
1302 Doncaster
1303 Folkestone
1304 Dover
1305 Dorchester
1306 Dorking
1307 Forfar
1308 Bridport
1309 Forres
131 Edinburgh
1320 Fort Augustus
1322 Dartford
1323 Eastbourne
1324 Falkirk
1325 Darlington
1326 Falmouth
1327 Daventry (Weedon)
1328 Fakenham
1329 Fareham
1330 Banchory
1332 Derby
1333 Peat Inn
1334 St Andrews
1335 Ashbourne
1337 Ladybank
1339 Aboyne - Ballater
1340 Craigellachie
1341 Barmouth
1342 East Grinstead
1343 Elgin
1344 Bracknell
1346 Fraserburgh
1347 Easingwold
1348 Fishguard
1349 Dingwall
1350 Dunkeld
1352 Mold
1353 Ely
1354 Chatteris (Doddington)
1355 East Kilbride
1356 Brechin
1357 Strathaven
1358 Ellon
1359 Pakenham
1360 Killearn
1361 Duns
1362 Dereham
1363 Crediton
1364 Ashburton
1366 Downham Market
1367 Faringdon
1368 Dunbar
1369 Dunoon
1371 Great Dunmow
1372 Esher
1373 Frome
1375 Grays Thurrock
1376 Braintree
1377 Driffield
1379 Diss
1380 Devizes
1381 Fortrose
1382 Dundee
1383 Dunfermline
1384 Dudley
1386 Evesham
1387 Dumfries
13873 Langholm
1388 Bishop Auckland - Stanhope
1389 Dumbarton
1392 Exeter
1394 Felixstowe (Shottisham)
1395 Budleigh Salterton
1397 Fort William
1398 Dulverton
1400 Honington
1403 Horsham
1404 Honiton
1405 Goole
1406 Holbeach
1407 Holyhead
1408 Golspie
1409 Holsworthy
141 Glasgow
1420 Alton
1422 Halifax
1423 Boroughbridge - Harrogate
1424 Hastings
1425 Ringwood (Burley)
1427 Gainsborough
1428 Haslemere
1429 Hartlepool
1430 Market Weighton - North Cave
1431 Helmsdale
1432 Hereford
1433 Hathersage
1434 Bellingham - Haltwhistle - Hexham
1435 Heathfield
1436 Helensburgh
1437 Clynderwen - Haverfordwest
1438 Stevenage
1439 Helmsley
1440 Haverhill
1442 Hemel Hempstead
1443 Pontypridd
1444 Haywards Heath
1445 Gairloch
1446 Barry
1449 Stowmarket
1450 Hawick
1451 Stow-on-the-Wold (Bourton-on-the-Water)
1452 Gloucester
1453 Dursley
1454 Chipping Sodbury (Rangeworthy)
1455 Hinckley
1456 Glenurquhart
1457 Glossop
1458 Glastonbury
1460 Chard
1461 Gretna (Annan)
1462 Hitchin
1463 Inverness
1464 Insch
1465 Girvan
1466 Huntly
1467 Inverurie
1469 Killingholme
1470 Isle of Skye – Edinbane
1471 Isle of Skye – Broadford
1472 Grimsby
1473 Ipswich
1474 Gravesend
1475 Greenock
1476 Grantham
1477 Holmes Chapel
1478 Isle of Skye – Portree
1479 Grantown-on-Spey
1480 Huntingdon
1481 Guernsey
1482 Hull
1483 Guildford
1484 Huddersfield
1485 Hunstanton (Docking)
1487 Warboys
1488 Hungerford (Great Shefford)
1489 Bishops Waltham
1490 Corwen
1491 Henley-on-Thames (Nettlebed)
1492 Colwyn Bay
1493 Great Yarmouth
1494 High Wycombe
1495 Pontypool
1496 Port Ellen
1497 Hay-on-Wye
1499 Inveraray
1501 Harthill
1502 Lowestoft
1503 Looe
1505 Johnstone
1506 Bathgate
1507 Alford (Lincs) ()
1508 Brooke
1509 Loughborough
151 Liverpool
1520 Lochcarron
1522 Lincoln
1524 Lancaster
15242 Hornby
1525 Leighton Buzzard
1526 Martin
1527 Redditch
1528 Laggan
1529 Sleaford
1530 Coalville
1531 Ledbury
1534 Jersey
1535 Keighley
1536 Kettering
1538 Ipstones
1539 Kendal
15394 Hawkshead
15395 Grange-Over-Sands
15396 Sedbergh
1540 Kingussie
1542 Keith
1543 Cannock (Burntwood)
1544 Kington
1545 Llanarth
1546 Lochgilphead
1547 Knighton
1548 Kingsbridge
1549 Lairg
1550 Llandovery
1553 Kings Lynn
1554 Llanelli
1555 Lanark
1556 Castle Douglas
1557 Kirkcudbright
1558 Llandeilo
1559 Llandysul
1560 Moscow
1561 Laurencekirk (Fordoun)
1562 Kidderminster
1563 Kilmarnock
1564 Lapworth
1565 Knutsford
1566 Launceston
1567 Killin
1568 Leominster
1569 Stonehaven
1570 Lampeter
1571 Lochinver
1572 Oakham
1573 Kelso
1575 Kirriemuir
1576 Lockerbie
1577 Kinross
1578 Lauder
1579 Liskeard
1580 Cranbrook
1581 New Luce
1582 Luton
1583 Carradale
1584 Ludlow
1586 Campbeltown
1588 Bishops Castle (Craven Arms)
1590 Lymington
1591 Llanwrtyd Wells
1592 Kirkcaldy
1593 Lybster
1594 Lydney
1595 Lerwick - Foula - Fair Isle
1597 Llandrindod Wells
1598 Lynton (Brayford)
1599 Kyle
1600 Monmouth
1603 Norwich
1604 Northampton
1606 Northwich
1608 Chipping Norton
1609 Northallerton
161 Manchester
1620 North Berwick
1621 Maldon
1622 Maidstone
1623 Mansfield
1624 Isle of Man
1625 Macclesfield
1626 Newton Abbot
1628 Maidenhead
1629 Matlock
1630 Market Drayton
1631 Oban
1633 Newport
1634 Medway
1635 Newbury
1636 Newark
1637 Newquay
1638 Newmarket
1639 Neath
1641 Strathy
1642 Middlesbrough
1643 Minehead
1644 New Galloway
1646 Milford Haven
1647 Moretonhampstead
1650 Cemmaes Road
1651 Oldmeldrum
1652 Brigg
1653 Malton
1654 Machynlleth
1655 Maybole
1656 Bridgend
1659 Sanquhar
1661 Prudhoe (Wylam)
1663 New Mills
1664 Melton Mowbray
1665 Alnwick
1666 Malmesbury
1667 Nairn
1668 Bamburgh (Belford)
1669 Rothbury
1670 Morpeth
1671 Newton Stewart
1672 Marlborough
1673 Market Rasen
1674 Montrose
1675 Coleshill
1676 Meriden
1677 Bedale
1678 Bala
1680 Isle of Mull – Craignure
1681 Isle of Mull – Fionnphort
1683 Moffat
1684 Malvern (Hanley Swan)
1685 Merthyr Tydfil
1686 Llanidloes - Newtown
1687 Mallaig
1688 Isle of Mull – Tobermory
1689 Orpington
1690 Betws-y-Coed
1691 Oswestry
1692 North Walsham
1694 Church Stretton
1695 Skelmersdale
1697 Brampton
16973 Wigton
16974 Raughton Head
16977 Brampton
1698 Motherwell
1700 Rothesay
1702 Southend-on-Sea
1704 Southport
1706 Rochdale
1707 Welwyn Garden City
1708 Romford
1709 Rotherham
1720 Isles of Scilly (Scillonia)
1721 Peebles
1722 Salisbury
1723 Scarborough
1724 Scunthorpe
1725 Rockbourne
1726 St Austell
1727 St Albans
1728 Saxmundham
1729 Settle
1730 Petersfield
1732 Sevenoaks
1733 Peterborough
1736 Penzance
1737 Redhill
1738 Perth
1740 Sedgefield
1743 Shrewsbury
1744 St Helens
1745 Rhyl
1746 Bridgnorth
1747 Shaftesbury
1748 Richmond
1749 Shepton Mallet
1750 Selkirk
1751 Pickering
1752 Plymouth
1753 Slough
1754 Skegness
1756 Skipton
1757 Selby
1758 Pwllheli
1759 Pocklington
1760 Swaffham
1761 Temple Cloud
1763 Royston
1764 Crieff
1765 Ripon
1766 Porthmadog
1767 Sandy
1768 Penrith
17683 Appleby
17684 Pooley Bridge
17687 Keswick
1769 South Molton
1770 Isle of Arran (Brodick)
1771 Maud
1772 Preston
1773 Ripley
1775 Spalding
1776 Stranraer
1777 Retford
1778 Bourne
1779 Peterhead
1780 Stamford
1782 Stoke-on-Trent
1784 Staines
1785 Stafford
1786 Stirling
1787 Sudbury
1788 Rugby
1789 Stratford-upon-Avon
1790 Spilsby
1792 Swansea
1793 Swindon
1794 Romsey
1795 Sittingbourne
1796 Pitlochry
1797 Rye
1798 Pulborough
1799 Saffron Walden
1803 Torquay
1805 Torrington
1806 Shetland (Voe)
1807 Ballindalloch
1808 Tomatin
1809 Tomdoun
1821 Kinrossie
1822 Tavistock
1823 Taunton
1824 Ruthin
1825 Uckfield
1827 Tamworth
1828 Coupar Angus
1829 Tarporley
1830 Kirkwhelpington
1832 Clopton
1833 Barnard Castle
1834 Narberth
1835 St Boswells
1837 Okehampton
1838 Dalmally
1840 Camelford
1841 Newquay
1842 Thetford
1843 Thanet
1844 Thame
1845 Thirsk
1847 Thurso - Tongue
1848 Thornhill
1851 Great Bernera - Stornoway
1852 Kilmelford
1854 Ullapool
1855 Ballachulish
1856 Orkney (Kirkwall)
1857 Sanday
1858 Market Harborough
1859 Harris
1862 Tain
1863 Ardgay
1864 Abington
1865 Oxford
1866 Kilchrenan
1869 Bicester
1870 Isle of Benbecula
1871 Castlebay
1872 Truro
1873 Abergavenny
1874 Brecon
1875 Tranent
1876 Lochmaddy
1877 Callandar (Trossachs)
1878 Lochboisdale
1879 Scarinish
1880 Tarbert
1882 Kinloch Rannoch
1883 Caterham
1884 Tiverton
1885 Pencombe
1886 Bromyard
1887 Aberfeldy
1888 Turriff
1889 Rugely (Dapple Heath)
1890 Ayton - Coldstream
1892 Tunbridge Wells
1895 Uxbridge
1896 Galashiels
1899 Biggar
1900 Workington
1902 Wolverhampton
1903 Worthing
1904 York
1905 Worcester
1908 Milton Keynes (Wolverton)
1909 Worksop
191 Tyneside - Durham - Sunderland ()
1920 Ware
1922 Walsall
1923 Watford
1924 Wakefield
1925 Warrington
1926 Warwick (Leamington Spa)
1928 Runcorn (Frodsham)
1929 Wareham
1931 Shap
1932 Weybridge
1933 Wellingborough
1934 Weston-Super-Mare
1935 Yeovil
1937 Wetherby
1938 Welshpool
1939 Wem
1942 Wigan
1943 Guiseley
1944 West Heslerton
1945 Wisbech
1946 Whitehaven
19467 Gosforth
1947 Whitby
1948 Whitchurch
1949 Whatton
1950 Sandwick
1951 Colonsay
1952 Telford (Wellington)
1953 Wymondham (Attleborough)
1954 Madingley
1955 Wick
1957 Mid Yell
1959 Westerham
1962 Winchester
1963 Wincanton (Templecombe)
1964 Hornsea - Patrington
1967 Strontian
1968 Penicuik
1969 Leyburn
1970 Aberystwyth
1971 Scourie
1972 Glenborrodale
1974 Llanon
1975 Alford (Aberdeen) - Strathdon
1977 Pontefract
1978 Wrexham
1980 Amesbury (Bulford Camp)
1981 Wormbridge
1982 Builth Wells
1983 Isle of Wight (Ryde)
1984 Watchet (Stogumber)
1985 Warminster
1986 Bungay
1987 Ebbsfleet
1988 Wigtown
1989 Ross-on-Wye
1992 Lea Valley (Hoddesdon)
1993 Witney
1994 St Clears
1995 Garstang
1997 Strathpeffer
20 London
23 Southampton - Portsmouth
24 Coventry
28 Northern Ireland
29 Cardiff

Saturday, June 12, 2010

New Call Rates Introduced

We are pleased to introduce our new call rates plan for June 2010. Many destinations are now cheaper than ever to call. Please check our Call Rates page for charges to all destinations.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Rush on for Warsaw Virtual Numbers

Warsaw Virtual Numbers are proving to be a big hit with many existing, and many more new mydivert.com users.

Since the introduction of the complete Polish number range, less than one week ago, the mydivert.com sales desk has been busy non-stop. Not that we are complaining! We welcome all the new Polish users to our platform and will do everything possible to ensure they achieve maximum leverage from our system and the services we provide.

The Warsaw Virtual Numbers are particularly popular due to our pricing and service provision structure. Our offer of Polish DID numbers for a flat rate of €2.95 per month, with unmetered incoming calls and 50 incoming channels, is a breakthrough which is already causing a ripple throughout the market to drive overall costs down.

The advent of Direct Inward Dialing (DID) services for VoIP provides access to local telephone numbers in most countries around the world without the need for a physical presence in those countries. Calls to a DID virtual number are then forwarded by companies such as mydivert.com to PSTN or mobile networks, VoIP carriers, or SIP/IAX servers.

Mydivert.com provides :
  • Reliable voice services of the highest quality.
  • Unlimited calls.
  • Inbound sip calls are unmetered and free.
  • SIP Trunking Service for pbx users
  • Each Polish virtual number is enabled with 50 channels.
  • Up to 50 concurrent incoming calls on the same number.
  • Ideal for Polish DID to access Calling Card systems.
  • The call forwarding destination can be updated 24/7 online. All changes are instant.
  • Call waiting and caller ID are supported.
  • Call history stored and made available via SSL secure user account area.
  • Free, first class, customer support.


  • For any further information please contact polishsales@mydivert.com

    Tenders Invited - UK DID Numbering

    Mydivert.com today announces the invitation to tender for the supply of a complete United Kingdon (44) DID numbering range. Interested potential partners should please contact sales@mydivert.com for further details and information.