Quickstart

From x164 documentation wiki
(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(Make a test call to the carrier)
Line 5: Line 5:
  
 
=Softswitch installation=
 
=Softswitch installation=
 +
 
==Setup Linux Host for OpenVZ==
 
==Setup Linux Host for OpenVZ==
 +
 
Use of Debian Squeeze is recommended for its stability, but you can use other Linux distributions as you wish. You can look for the proper option for your machine  [http://www.debian.org/distrib/ here]. Installation guides are also available for the different supported architectures  [http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual here].  
 
Use of Debian Squeeze is recommended for its stability, but you can use other Linux distributions as you wish. You can look for the proper option for your machine  [http://www.debian.org/distrib/ here]. Installation guides are also available for the different supported architectures  [http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual here].  
 
[http://8thstring.blogspot.com/2011/07/debian-squeeze-minimal-text-based.html This] website offers a screenshot based tutorial that explains how to make a bare-bones installation without a graphical desktop environment. We suggest to create a separate partition /vz to store the virtual machines, as for example in the following scheme.
 
[http://8thstring.blogspot.com/2011/07/debian-squeeze-minimal-text-based.html This] website offers a screenshot based tutorial that explains how to make a bare-bones installation without a graphical desktop environment. We suggest to create a separate partition /vz to store the virtual machines, as for example in the following scheme.
 +
 
===Disk partitioning===
 
===Disk partitioning===
 +
 
It is encouraged that you follow the order shown in the table.
 
It is encouraged that you follow the order shown in the table.
 +
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|-
 
|-
Line 36: Line 41:
 
| ext4
 
| ext4
 
| OpenVZ virtual machines will be installed in this partition
 
| OpenVZ virtual machines will be installed in this partition
|}<br>
+
|}
  
 
===Updating and upgrading===
 
===Updating and upgrading===
 +
 
After installation run the following commands to ensure you have the latest version of the installed packages:
 
After installation run the following commands to ensure you have the latest version of the installed packages:
 +
 
  sudo apt-get update
 
  sudo apt-get update
 
  sudo apt-get upgrade
 
  sudo apt-get upgrade
  
 
===Remote SSH access===
 
===Remote SSH access===
<br/>
+
 
 
If you want to work on your server from a remote client, it is recommended to use a Secure Shell (SSH) protocol. Install a SSH server:
 
If you want to work on your server from a remote client, it is recommended to use a Secure Shell (SSH) protocol. Install a SSH server:
<br/>
+
 
 
  apt-get install openssh-server
 
  apt-get install openssh-server
<br/>
+
 
 
Now you can open the terminal on your workstation and type the following to log into the server:
 
Now you can open the terminal on your workstation and type the following to log into the server:
<br/>
+
 
 
  ssh root@[Server's IP Address]
 
  ssh root@[Server's IP Address]
<br/>
+
 
 
Provide the password and continue working remotely.
 
Provide the password and continue working remotely.
<br/>
+
 
 
===Midnight Commander===
 
===Midnight Commander===
<br/>
+
 
 
We recommend using a visual file manager like Midnight Commander (mc) to make working with the command line easier. To install it in your server enter this command:
 
We recommend using a visual file manager like Midnight Commander (mc) to make working with the command line easier. To install it in your server enter this command:
<br/>
+
 
 
  apt-get install mc
 
  apt-get install mc
 
  mc
 
  mc
<br/>
+
 
 
You can find more information about mc in [https://www.midnight-commander.org/]
 
You can find more information about mc in [https://www.midnight-commander.org/]
<br/>
+
 
 
===Webmin installation===
 
===Webmin installation===
<br/>
+
 
 
It is recommended that you use [http://www.webmin.com/ Webmin] to easily configure your softswitch. Run the following command to avoid dependency issues
 
It is recommended that you use [http://www.webmin.com/ Webmin] to easily configure your softswitch. Run the following command to avoid dependency issues
<br/>
+
 
 
  apt-get install perl libnet-ssleay-perl openssl libauthen-pam-perl libpam-runtime libio-pty-perl apt-show-versions python
 
  apt-get install perl libnet-ssleay-perl openssl libauthen-pam-perl libpam-runtime libio-pty-perl apt-show-versions python
<br/>
+
 
 
Then you can download Webmin
 
Then you can download Webmin
<br/>
+
 
 
  wget http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/webadmin/webmin_1.590_all.deb
 
  wget http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/webadmin/webmin_1.590_all.deb
<br/>
+
 
 
and install it
 
and install it
<br/>
+
 
 
  dpkg --install webmin_1.590_all.deb
 
  dpkg --install webmin_1.590_all.deb
<br/>
+
 
 
===OpenVZ Installation===
 
===OpenVZ Installation===
<br/>
+
 
 
Installation for Debian systems is detailed in this [http://www.howtoforge.com/installing-and-using-openvz-on-debian-squeeze-amd64 tutorial]. You can also refer to the OpenVZ installation guide  for [http://wiki.openvz.org/Installation_on_Debian Debian] and [http://wiki.openvz.org/Quick_installation other operating systems].
 
Installation for Debian systems is detailed in this [http://www.howtoforge.com/installing-and-using-openvz-on-debian-squeeze-amd64 tutorial]. You can also refer to the OpenVZ installation guide  for [http://wiki.openvz.org/Installation_on_Debian Debian] and [http://wiki.openvz.org/Quick_installation other operating systems].
<br/>
 
  
 
==Softswitch template installation==
 
==Softswitch template installation==
<br/>
+
 
 
To download the softswitch template just run the following command:
 
To download the softswitch template just run the following command:
<br/>
+
 
 
  wget http://www.x164.com/index.php/download-and-install
 
  wget http://www.x164.com/index.php/download-and-install
<br/>
+
 
 
and create the softswitch container.
 
and create the softswitch container.
<br/>
+
 
 
  vzctl create [CTID] --ostemplate nameOfTemplate  
 
  vzctl create [CTID] --ostemplate nameOfTemplate  
<br/>
+
 
 
Once you have created a new '''[CTID].conf''' file will appear at '''/etc/vz/conf'''. There you can set the VM's IP, gateway and hostname as it fits your network, among other parameters. This is an example of what the .conf file should look like:  
 
Once you have created a new '''[CTID].conf''' file will appear at '''/etc/vz/conf'''. There you can set the VM's IP, gateway and hostname as it fits your network, among other parameters. This is an example of what the .conf file should look like:  
<br/>
+
 
 
[[File:IDConf.png|center|500x500px]]
 
[[File:IDConf.png|center|500x500px]]
<br/>
+
 
 
Then you can start your softswitch container:
 
Then you can start your softswitch container:
<br/>
+
 
 
  vzctl start [CTID]
 
  vzctl start [CTID]
<br/>
+
 
 
[http://wiki.openvz.org/Basic_operations_in_OpenVZ_environment Here] you can look up some of the basic operations needed to work with your container.
 
[http://wiki.openvz.org/Basic_operations_in_OpenVZ_environment Here] you can look up some of the basic operations needed to work with your container.
<br/>
+
 
 
==Setup softswitch to connect with x164==
 
==Setup softswitch to connect with x164==
<br/>
+
 
 
The softswitch needs to connect to the x164 database to retrieve routing information and to the x164 radius server to send call details records. We will initiate fake calls from a softphone to test whether everything works correctly.
 
The softswitch needs to connect to the x164 database to retrieve routing information and to the x164 radius server to send call details records. We will initiate fake calls from a softphone to test whether everything works correctly.
<br/>
+
 
 
===Editing register.conf file===
 
===Editing register.conf file===
<br/>
+
 
 
To access the x164 database in realtime from your softswitch you must need a secret key that we issue to you. To find your key, log into https://access.x164.com. Go to the '''Rating''' tab and select '''Gateways''' in the '''Action''' area.
 
To access the x164 database in realtime from your softswitch you must need a secret key that we issue to you. To find your key, log into https://access.x164.com. Go to the '''Rating''' tab and select '''Gateways''' in the '''Action''' area.
<br/>
+
 
 
[[File:GatewaySecretKey.png|500x500px|center]]
 
[[File:GatewaySecretKey.png|500x500px|center]]
<br/>
+
 
 
You need to enter the key into the call routines in the softswitch. Go into the '''/usr/local/etc/yate''' folder of your installation and open the '''register.conf''' file. In this file the string ''''hyTnw94^^f'''' must be substituted by your own secret key for MySQL procedures in yate.
 
You need to enter the key into the call routines in the softswitch. Go into the '''/usr/local/etc/yate''' folder of your installation and open the '''register.conf''' file. In this file the string ''''hyTnw94^^f'''' must be substituted by your own secret key for MySQL procedures in yate.
<br/>
+
 
 
[[File:yate-registerFileEditing.png|500x500px|center]]
 
[[File:yate-registerFileEditing.png|500x500px|center]]
<br/>
+
 
 
===Setup Firewall on Softswitch===
 
===Setup Firewall on Softswitch===
 +
 
The firewall can be setup comfortably with Webmin:
 
The firewall can be setup comfortably with Webmin:
<br/>
+
 
 
  https://softswitchIP:10000
 
  https://softswitchIP:10000
<br/>
+
 
 
In the '''Networking/Linux Firewall''' subsection, Default Action should be set to '''Drop'''. Then a new rule must by added by clicking '''Add Rule'''. This new rule must be defined like this
 
In the '''Networking/Linux Firewall''' subsection, Default Action should be set to '''Drop'''. Then a new rule must by added by clicking '''Add Rule'''. This new rule must be defined like this
<br/>
+
 
 
[[File:AddRuleLinuxFirewallMenu.png|500x500px|center]]
 
[[File:AddRuleLinuxFirewallMenu.png|500x500px|center]]
<br/>
+
 
 
where  '''11.22.33.55''' is the IP of your workstation. The firewall must be opened for all IPs from which you receive VoIP traffic. Now the Linux Firewall menu should look like this:
 
where  '''11.22.33.55''' is the IP of your workstation. The firewall must be opened for all IPs from which you receive VoIP traffic. Now the Linux Firewall menu should look like this:
<br/>
+
 
 
[[File:LinuxFirewallMenu.png|500x500px|center]]
 
[[File:LinuxFirewallMenu.png|500x500px|center]]
<br/>
+
 
 
Press the Apply button to activate the rules.
 
Press the Apply button to activate the rules.
<br/>
+
 
 
===Verify yate functionality===
 
===Verify yate functionality===
<br/>
+
 
 
You can verify that yate is working in principle. Go to the terminal and log into the softswitch through port 29. Using a port which is not the standard ssh port 22 reduces the chance that some weak password is hacked.
 
You can verify that yate is working in principle. Go to the terminal and log into the softswitch through port 29. Using a port which is not the standard ssh port 22 reduces the chance that some weak password is hacked.
<br/>
+
 
 
  ssh root@[softswitchIP]:29
 
  ssh root@[softswitchIP]:29
<br/>
+
 
 
Then see what is happening on the port that will receive the fake call. The softswitch listens on udp port 5061 and not the standard port 5060.
 
Then see what is happening on the port that will receive the fake call. The softswitch listens on udp port 5061 and not the standard port 5060.
<br/>
+
 
 
  usr/local/etc/yate ngrep port 5061
 
  usr/local/etc/yate ngrep port 5061
<br/>
+
 
 
Now you can attempt a call from a softphone [http://www.zoiper.com/ Zoiper]
 
Now you can attempt a call from a softphone [http://www.zoiper.com/ Zoiper]
<br/>
+
 
 
[[File:FakeCall.png|200x200px|center]]
 
[[File:FakeCall.png|200x200px|center]]
<br/>
+
 
 
After dialing you should see SIP messages going back and forth between the soft phone and yate. As no subscriber is setup in the system the call will of course fail.
 
After dialing you should see SIP messages going back and forth between the soft phone and yate. As no subscriber is setup in the system the call will of course fail.
<br/>
+
 
 
===Connection to Radius server===
 
===Connection to Radius server===
<br/>
+
 
 
Login into [https://access.x164.com https://access.x164.com] and click search in the '''CDRs''' tab. The test calls your did should be shown, confirming that the softswitch is connected to the x164 radius server.
 
Login into [https://access.x164.com https://access.x164.com] and click search in the '''CDRs''' tab. The test calls your did should be shown, confirming that the softswitch is connected to the x164 radius server.
<br/>
+
 
 
[[File:CDRsExample1.png|500x500px|center]]
 
[[File:CDRsExample1.png|500x500px|center]]
<br/>
+
 
 
=Web Configuration of the x164 Service=
 
=Web Configuration of the x164 Service=
<br/>
+
 
 
To get the x164 system started, you must create some new subscribers and set up a block of DID  numbers. Once you have done this you can make a test call to verify the system is working properly.
 
To get the x164 system started, you must create some new subscribers and set up a block of DID  numbers. Once you have done this you can make a test call to verify the system is working properly.
<br/>
+
 
 
All the tables you have to use in the following section are listed in the 'Rating' tab of the web application, in the 'Actions' menu.
 
All the tables you have to use in the following section are listed in the 'Rating' tab of the web application, in the 'Actions' menu.
<br/>
+
 
 
==Adding subscribers==
 
==Adding subscribers==
<br/>
+
 
 
In this step you will create at least two dynamic or fixed IP subscribers and set a profile and a rate for both of them, so you can later make a test call from one to another. In the following tables the '''bold''' fields must be set, the remaining fields may stay empty.
 
In this step you will create at least two dynamic or fixed IP subscribers and set a profile and a rate for both of them, so you can later make a test call from one to another. In the following tables the '''bold''' fields must be set, the remaining fields may stay empty.
<br/>
+
 
 
===Adding a dynamic IP customer===
 
===Adding a dynamic IP customer===
<br/>
+
 
 
Adding a dynamic IP customer implies setting a password for authentication:
 
Adding a dynamic IP customer implies setting a password for authentication:
<br/>
+
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id)''
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id)''
Line 189: Line 196:
 
|Formats || ''(Optional codec formats separated by comma, g729, ulaw, ...)''
 
|Formats || ''(Optional codec formats separated by comma, g729, ulaw, ...)''
 
|}
 
|}
<br/>
+
 
 
===Adding a fixed IP customer===
 
===Adding a fixed IP customer===
<br/>
+
 
 
For fixed IP customers authentication is based on their IP address, so there is no need to provide a password. Also it's necessary to provide the post location field so their calls can be routed by the x164 system.
 
For fixed IP customers authentication is based on their IP address, so there is no need to provide a password. Also it's necessary to provide the post location field so their calls can be routed by the x164 system.
<br/>
+
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id)''
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id)''
Line 215: Line 222:
 
|Formats || ''(Optional codec formats separated by comma, g729, ulaw, ...)''
 
|Formats || ''(Optional codec formats separated by comma, g729, ulaw, ...)''
 
|}
 
|}
<br/>
+
 
 
===Linking customer to a profile===
 
===Linking customer to a profile===
<br/>
+
 
 
Next step is adding a profile, which is used by the system to calculate the price of calls. Profiles and customers are linked by the 'Profile' field. Select [http://wiki.x164.com/index.php/Dokumentation#Profiles_table 'Profiles'] in the 'Action' area and add a new one:  
 
Next step is adding a profile, which is used by the system to calculate the price of calls. Profiles and customers are linked by the 'Profile' field. Select [http://wiki.x164.com/index.php/Dokumentation#Profiles_table 'Profiles'] in the 'Action' area and add a new one:  
<br/>
+
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id)''
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id)''
Line 243: Line 250:
 
|Carrier || '''IN''' ''(Role of the subscriber, in this case the caller)''
 
|Carrier || '''IN''' ''(Role of the subscriber, in this case the caller)''
 
|}
 
|}
<br/>
+
 
 
===Linking rates to profiles===
 
===Linking rates to profiles===
<br/>
+
 
 
The final step of creating a subscriber is adding a rate. Rates include information used to calculate the price of a call and can be linked to several profiles by the 'Rate' field. Go to [http://wiki.x164.com/index.php/Dokumentation#Rates_table 'Rates'] in the 'Action' area and make a new entry:
 
The final step of creating a subscriber is adding a rate. Rates include information used to calculate the price of a call and can be linked to several profiles by the 'Rate' field. Go to [http://wiki.x164.com/index.php/Dokumentation#Rates_table 'Rates'] in the 'Action' area and make a new entry:
<br/>
+
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|Reseller || ''(automatically generated Id)''
 
|Reseller || ''(automatically generated Id)''
Line 297: Line 304:
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
Make a new entry in the 'Profiles' table. The difference between a DID and a regular profile is in the 'Carrier' field, which in this case must be 'DIDRANGE'. 'DIDRANGE' tells the softswitch to route incoming calls to numbers within the DID number blocks only to subscribers:
 
Make a new entry in the 'Profiles' table. The difference between a DID and a regular profile is in the 'Carrier' field, which in this case must be 'DIDRANGE'. 'DIDRANGE' tells the softswitch to route incoming calls to numbers within the DID number blocks only to subscribers:
<br/>
+
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id)''
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id)''
Line 321: Line 328:
 
|Carrier || '''DIDRANGE''' ''(Role of the subscriber, in this case the caller)''
 
|Carrier || '''DIDRANGE''' ''(Role of the subscriber, in this case the caller)''
 
|}
 
|}
<br/>
+
 
 
===Setting up a block of DID numbers in Rates table===
 
===Setting up a block of DID numbers in Rates table===
<br/>
+
 
 
Add a rate in the 'Rates' table. This must be linked to the DID profile you have created, so you can specify the range of your DID numbers in the 'Destination' field.
 
Add a rate in the 'Rates' table. This must be linked to the DID profile you have created, so you can specify the range of your DID numbers in the 'Destination' field.
<br/>
+
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|Reseller || ''(automatically generated Id)''
 
|Reseller || ''(automatically generated Id)''
Line 367: Line 374:
 
|Acd_avr || '''300''' ''(Automatically updated long-term average call duration)''
 
|Acd_avr || '''300''' ''(Automatically updated long-term average call duration)''
 
|}
 
|}
<br/>
+
 
 
===Linking a DID to a client===
 
===Linking a DID to a client===
<br/>
+
 
 
You must now link one of the numbers included in your DID range to one of your customers. To do so, go to the 'DIDclients' table in the 'Rating' tab and make an entry:
 
You must now link one of the numbers included in your DID range to one of your customers. To do so, go to the 'DIDclients' table in the 'Rating' tab and make an entry:
<br/>
+
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id of reseller)''
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id of reseller)''
Line 379: Line 386:
 
|DID_subscriber || '''user2@domain.com''' ''(Subscriber who owns number)''
 
|DID_subscriber || '''user2@domain.com''' ''(Subscriber who owns number)''
 
|}
 
|}
<br/>
+
 
 
===Make a test call===
 
===Make a test call===
<br/>
+
 
 
Now that the subscribers and DID clients are included in the database, you can make a call from one customer to another. Just make sure both are registered to the x164 system through a softphone or an analog phone with an ATA. In the following image you can see an example of account configuration for registering with Zoiper:
 
Now that the subscribers and DID clients are included in the database, you can make a call from one customer to another. Just make sure both are registered to the x164 system through a softphone or an analog phone with an ATA. In the following image you can see an example of account configuration for registering with Zoiper:
<br/>
+
 
 
[[File:ZoiperConf.png|300x300px|center]]
 
[[File:ZoiperConf.png|300x300px|center]]
<br/>
+
 
 
==Setting up carriers==
 
==Setting up carriers==
<br/>
+
 
 
Next you can add a carrier and send it calls. First you have to make a carrier record in the 'Carriers' table. Then you have to link it to a profile and a rate. Finally you can make a test call from a previously defined customer to one of the carrier's numbers.
 
Next you can add a carrier and send it calls. First you have to make a carrier record in the 'Carriers' table. Then you have to link it to a profile and a rate. Finally you can make a test call from a previously defined customer to one of the carrier's numbers.
<br/>
+
 
 
===Adding a carrier===
 
===Adding a carrier===
<br/>
+
 
 
Go to the [http://wiki.x164.com/index.php/Documentation#Carriers_table 'Carriers'] table. Enter the carrier's name, its location and a new profile.
 
Go to the [http://wiki.x164.com/index.php/Documentation#Carriers_table 'Carriers'] table. Enter the carrier's name, its location and a new profile.
<br/>
+
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated ID)''
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated ID)''
Line 411: Line 418:
 
|Formats || ''(Optional codec formats separated by comma, g729, ulaw...)
 
|Formats || ''(Optional codec formats separated by comma, g729, ulaw...)
 
|}
 
|}
<br/>
+
 
 
===Linking the carrier to a profile===
 
===Linking the carrier to a profile===
<br/>
+
 
 
Add a carrier profile to the [http://wiki.x164.com/index.php/Dokumentation#Profiles_table 'Profiles'] table:
 
Add a carrier profile to the [http://wiki.x164.com/index.php/Dokumentation#Profiles_table 'Profiles'] table:
<br/>
+
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id)''
 
|Reseller || ''(Automatically generated Id)''
Line 439: Line 446:
 
|Carrier || '''CARRIER''' ''(Role of the subscriber, in this case a carrier)''
 
|Carrier || '''CARRIER''' ''(Role of the subscriber, in this case a carrier)''
 
|}
 
|}
<br/>
+
 
 
===Linking the profile to a rate===
 
===Linking the profile to a rate===
<br/>
+
 
 
Finally go to [http://wiki.x164.com/index.php/Dokumentation#Rates_table 'Rates'] and make an entry defining the range of numbers that have to be sent to this carrier. In this case we arbitrarily chose the range '341234561xx'.
 
Finally go to [http://wiki.x164.com/index.php/Dokumentation#Rates_table 'Rates'] and make an entry defining the range of numbers that have to be sent to this carrier. In this case we arbitrarily chose the range '341234561xx'.
<br/>
+
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
 
|Reseller || ''(automatically generated Id)''
 
|Reseller || ''(automatically generated Id)''
Line 485: Line 492:
 
|Acd_avr || '''300''' ''(Automatically updated long-term average call duration)''
 
|Acd_avr || '''300''' ''(Automatically updated long-term average call duration)''
 
|}
 
|}
<br/>
+
 
 
===Make a test call to the carrier===
 
===Make a test call to the carrier===
 +
 
To ensure everything has been set up properly, you can make a call from one of your customers to a carrier's number and verify the call is properly sent.
 
To ensure everything has been set up properly, you can make a call from one of your customers to a carrier's number and verify the call is properly sent.

Revision as of 13:25, 17 September 2012

This document details the steps needed to get your x164 switch started.

Contents

Preface

The x164 softswitch is based on yate. The softswitch can be installed on the servers of the x164 customer or is hosted by x164 in the datacenter. We recommend to install the softswitch as a OpenVZ virtual machine. OpenVZ offers near-bare-metal performance. The advantages of virtualization are easy backups and easy migration to different hardware in case of failures or hardware upgrades. x164 provides a OpenVZ template for download which is a ready-configured softswitch.

Softswitch installation

Setup Linux Host for OpenVZ

Use of Debian Squeeze is recommended for its stability, but you can use other Linux distributions as you wish. You can look for the proper option for your machine here. Installation guides are also available for the different supported architectures here. This website offers a screenshot based tutorial that explains how to make a bare-bones installation without a graphical desktop environment. We suggest to create a separate partition /vz to store the virtual machines, as for example in the following scheme.

Disk partitioning

It is encouraged that you follow the order shown in the table.

Partition Size File system Comments
/boot 500 MB ext2
swap ~ swap Size should be the same as RAM
/ 20 GB ext4
/vz remaining disk space ext4 OpenVZ virtual machines will be installed in this partition

Updating and upgrading

After installation run the following commands to ensure you have the latest version of the installed packages:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Remote SSH access

If you want to work on your server from a remote client, it is recommended to use a Secure Shell (SSH) protocol. Install a SSH server:

apt-get install openssh-server

Now you can open the terminal on your workstation and type the following to log into the server:

ssh root@[Server's IP Address]

Provide the password and continue working remotely.

Midnight Commander

We recommend using a visual file manager like Midnight Commander (mc) to make working with the command line easier. To install it in your server enter this command:

apt-get install mc
mc

You can find more information about mc in [1]

Webmin installation

It is recommended that you use Webmin to easily configure your softswitch. Run the following command to avoid dependency issues

apt-get install perl libnet-ssleay-perl openssl libauthen-pam-perl libpam-runtime libio-pty-perl apt-show-versions python

Then you can download Webmin

wget http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/webadmin/webmin_1.590_all.deb

and install it

dpkg --install webmin_1.590_all.deb

OpenVZ Installation

Installation for Debian systems is detailed in this tutorial. You can also refer to the OpenVZ installation guide for Debian and other operating systems.

Softswitch template installation

To download the softswitch template just run the following command:

wget http://www.x164.com/index.php/download-and-install

and create the softswitch container.

vzctl create [CTID] --ostemplate nameOfTemplate 

Once you have created a new [CTID].conf file will appear at /etc/vz/conf. There you can set the VM's IP, gateway and hostname as it fits your network, among other parameters. This is an example of what the .conf file should look like:

IDConf.png

Then you can start your softswitch container:

vzctl start [CTID]

Here you can look up some of the basic operations needed to work with your container.

Setup softswitch to connect with x164

The softswitch needs to connect to the x164 database to retrieve routing information and to the x164 radius server to send call details records. We will initiate fake calls from a softphone to test whether everything works correctly.

Editing register.conf file

To access the x164 database in realtime from your softswitch you must need a secret key that we issue to you. To find your key, log into https://access.x164.com. Go to the Rating tab and select Gateways in the Action area.

GatewaySecretKey.png

You need to enter the key into the call routines in the softswitch. Go into the /usr/local/etc/yate folder of your installation and open the register.conf file. In this file the string 'hyTnw94^^f' must be substituted by your own secret key for MySQL procedures in yate.

Yate-registerFileEditing.png

Setup Firewall on Softswitch

The firewall can be setup comfortably with Webmin:

https://softswitchIP:10000

In the Networking/Linux Firewall subsection, Default Action should be set to Drop. Then a new rule must by added by clicking Add Rule. This new rule must be defined like this

AddRuleLinuxFirewallMenu.png

where 11.22.33.55 is the IP of your workstation. The firewall must be opened for all IPs from which you receive VoIP traffic. Now the Linux Firewall menu should look like this:

LinuxFirewallMenu.png

Press the Apply button to activate the rules.

Verify yate functionality

You can verify that yate is working in principle. Go to the terminal and log into the softswitch through port 29. Using a port which is not the standard ssh port 22 reduces the chance that some weak password is hacked.

ssh root@[softswitchIP]:29

Then see what is happening on the port that will receive the fake call. The softswitch listens on udp port 5061 and not the standard port 5060.

usr/local/etc/yate ngrep port 5061

Now you can attempt a call from a softphone Zoiper

FakeCall.png

After dialing you should see SIP messages going back and forth between the soft phone and yate. As no subscriber is setup in the system the call will of course fail.

Connection to Radius server

Login into https://access.x164.com and click search in the CDRs tab. The test calls your did should be shown, confirming that the softswitch is connected to the x164 radius server.

CDRsExample1.png

Web Configuration of the x164 Service

To get the x164 system started, you must create some new subscribers and set up a block of DID numbers. Once you have done this you can make a test call to verify the system is working properly.

All the tables you have to use in the following section are listed in the 'Rating' tab of the web application, in the 'Actions' menu.

Adding subscribers

In this step you will create at least two dynamic or fixed IP subscribers and set a profile and a rate for both of them, so you can later make a test call from one to another. In the following tables the bold fields must be set, the remaining fields may stay empty.

Adding a dynamic IP customer

Adding a dynamic IP customer implies setting a password for authentication:

Reseller (Automatically generated Id)
Dynamic_ip 1 (Flag for dynamic IP use)
Subscriber user1@domain.com (Subscriber name)
Password verysecret (User password)
Profile PROFCLIENT (Profile name. Links the customer to a profile in the 'Profiles' table)
Blocked 0 (Block subscriber flag)
Pre_location sip/sip: (Protocol used. Will be added before the called number. Write in lowercase)
Post_location (Automatically updated IP address after SIP client registers to softswitch)
Expires (Automatically updated when dynamic IP expires)
Formats (Optional codec formats separated by comma, g729, ulaw, ...)

Adding a fixed IP customer

For fixed IP customers authentication is based on their IP address, so there is no need to provide a password. Also it's necessary to provide the post location field so their calls can be routed by the x164 system.

Reseller (Automatically generated Id)
Trusted Peer 11.22.33.44 (Authorized IP address)
Dynamic_ip 0 (Flag for dynamic IP use)
Subscriber user1@domain.com (Subscriber name)
Profile PROFCLIENT (Profile name. Links the customer to a profile in the 'Profiles' table)
Subscriber_out (In case subscriber provides also termination his carrier name must be set to avoid looping calls)
Blocked 0 (Blocked subscriber flag)
Pre_location sip/sip: (Protocol used. Will be added before the called number. Write in lowercase)
Post_location @11.22.33.44 (Customer's IP address)
Formats (Optional codec formats separated by comma, g729, ulaw, ...)

Linking customer to a profile

Next step is adding a profile, which is used by the system to calculate the price of calls. Profiles and customers are linked by the 'Profile' field. Select 'Profiles' in the 'Action' area and add a new one:

Reseller (Automatically generated Id)
Profile PROFCLIENT (Profile name. Links the customers in the 'Customer' table)
Rate PROFCLIENT (Link to profile's rates in the 'Rates' table)
Starthourweek 0 (Start hour in the week of this tariff)
Endhourweek 167 (End hour in the week of this tariff)
Penalty (Optional price added to this tariff)
Timezone GMT (Timezone, reflects the local time of the tariff)
Incr 1 (Used to consider the duration of the call in increments)
Min_Dur 1 (Minimum duration of the call)
Curr_code EUR (Currency used in iso format)
Carrier IN (Role of the subscriber, in this case the caller)

Linking rates to profiles

The final step of creating a subscriber is adding a rate. Rates include information used to calculate the price of a call and can be linked to several profiles by the 'Rate' field. Go to 'Rates' in the 'Action' area and make a new entry:

Reseller (automatically generated Id)
Rate PROFCLIENT (Link to profile in the 'Profiles' table)
Destination 34123 (Destination number to this rate)
Region (Optional region of this number)
Description (Optional description of the destination)
App audio (Application type)
Conn (Optional, price of the call connection)
Price 1 (Price per minute)
Conn In (Optional, cost of the call setup)
Price In (Optional, cost per minute)
Start Date 2008-01-01 (Start time of the rate)
End Date 2022-01-01 (End time of the rate)
Blocked 0 (Blocked rate flag)
Billtime_sum 3000 (Automatically updated billed time of this rate)
Ringtime_sum 0 (Automatically updated ring time)
Setuptime_sum 0 (Automatically updated setup time)
Calls_count 10 (Automatically updated number of calls)
Success_count 10 (Automatically updated number of connected calls)
Acd_short 300 (Automatically updated short-term average call duration)
Acd_avr 300 (Automatically updated long-term average call duration)


Adding DID subscribers


Now that you have created some customers you can make one of them a DID subscriber. In order to do this first you have to create a DID profile and set up a block of DID numbers. In this case we are going to define the block as '34123xxxxxx' and link the number '34123456112' to the subscriber 'user2@domain.com'.

Adding a DID profile


Make a new entry in the 'Profiles' table. The difference between a DID and a regular profile is in the 'Carrier' field, which in this case must be 'DIDRANGE'. 'DIDRANGE' tells the softswitch to route incoming calls to numbers within the DID number blocks only to subscribers:

Reseller (Automatically generated Id)
Profile DID_OURS (Profile name. Links the customers in the 'Customer' table)
Rate DID_OURS (Link to profile's rates in the 'Rates' table)
Starthourweek 0 (Start hour in the week of this tariff)
Endhourweek 167 (End hour in the week of this tariff)
Penalty (Optional price added to this tariff)
Timezone GMT (Timezone, reflects the local time of the tariff)
Incr 1 (Used to consider the duration of the call in increments)
Min_Dur 1 (Minimum duration of the call)
Curr_code EUR (Currency used in iso format)
Carrier DIDRANGE (Role of the subscriber, in this case the caller)

Setting up a block of DID numbers in Rates table

Add a rate in the 'Rates' table. This must be linked to the DID profile you have created, so you can specify the range of your DID numbers in the 'Destination' field.

Reseller (automatically generated Id)
Rate DID_OURS (Link to profile in the 'Profiles' table)
Destination 34123 (Destination number to this rate. In this case this is the range of own numbers)
Region (Optional region of this number)
Description (Optional description of the destination)
App audio (Application type)
Conn (Optional, price of the call connection)
Price 0 (Price per minute)
Conn In (Optional, cost of the call setup)
Price In (Optional, cost per minute)
Start Date 2008-01-01 (Start time of the rate)
End Date 2022-01-01 (End time of the rate)
Blocked 0 (Blocked rate flag)
Billtime_sum 3000 (Automatically updated billed time of this rate)
Ringtime_sum 0 (Automatically updated ring time)
Setuptime_sum 0 (Automatically updated setup time)
Calls_count 10 (Automatically updated number of calls)
Success_count 10 (Automatically updated number of connected calls)
Acd_short 300 (Automatically updated short-term average call duration)
Acd_avr 300 (Automatically updated long-term average call duration)

Linking a DID to a client

You must now link one of the numbers included in your DID range to one of your customers. To do so, go to the 'DIDclients' table in the 'Rating' tab and make an entry:

Reseller (Automatically generated Id of reseller)
DID_number 34123456112 (Number of the client)
DID_subscriber user2@domain.com (Subscriber who owns number)

Make a test call

Now that the subscribers and DID clients are included in the database, you can make a call from one customer to another. Just make sure both are registered to the x164 system through a softphone or an analog phone with an ATA. In the following image you can see an example of account configuration for registering with Zoiper:

ZoiperConf.png

Setting up carriers

Next you can add a carrier and send it calls. First you have to make a carrier record in the 'Carriers' table. Then you have to link it to a profile and a rate. Finally you can make a test call from a previously defined customer to one of the carrier's numbers.

Adding a carrier

Go to the 'Carriers' table. Enter the carrier's name, its location and a new profile.

Reseller (Automatically generated ID)
Carrier_name carrier.com or 22.33.44.55 (Carrier's name used as billing party in the rate process)
Profile PROFCARRIER (Profile name. Links the carrier to a profile)
Blocked 0 (Blocked carrier flag)'
Pre_location sip/sip: (Protocol used. Will be added before the called number. Write in lowercase)
Post_location @carrier.com or 22.33.44.55 (Carrier's URL or IP)
Line (Optional section identifier from accfile.conf, this can be used instead of pre-location + post-location)
Formats (Optional codec formats separated by comma, g729, ulaw...)

Linking the carrier to a profile

Add a carrier profile to the 'Profiles' table:

Reseller (Automatically generated Id)
Profile PROFCARRIER (Profile name. Links the carrier in the 'Carriers' table)
Rate PROFCARRIER (Link to profile's rates in the 'Rates' table)
Starthourweek 0 (Start hour in the week of this tariff)
Endhourweek 167 (End hour in the week of this tariff)
Penalty (Optional price added to this tariff)
Timezone GMT (Timezone, reflects the local time of the tariff)
Incr 1 (Used to consider the duration of the call in increments)
Min_Dur 1 (Minimum duration of the call)
Curr_code EUR (Currency used in iso format)
Carrier CARRIER (Role of the subscriber, in this case a carrier)

Linking the profile to a rate

Finally go to 'Rates' and make an entry defining the range of numbers that have to be sent to this carrier. In this case we arbitrarily chose the range '341234561xx'.

Reseller (automatically generated Id)
Rate PROFCARRIER (Link to profile in the 'Profiles' table)
Destination 341234561xx (Destination numbers to this rate)
Region (Optional region of this number)
Description (Optional description of the destination)
App audio (Application type)
Conn (Optional, price of the call connection)
Price 1 (Price per minute)
Conn In (Optional, cost of the call setup)
Price In (Optional, cost per minute)
Start Date 2008-01-01 (Start time of the rate)
End Date 2022-01-01 (End time of the rate)
Blocked 0 (Blocked rate flag)
Billtime_sum 3000 (Automatically updated billed time of this rate)
Ringtime_sum 3000 (Automatically updated ring time)
Setuptime_sum 3000 (Automatically updated setup time)
Calls_count 10 (Automatically updated number of calls)
Success_count 10 (Automatically updated number of connected calls)
Acd_short 300 (Automatically updated short-term average call duration)
Acd_avr 300 (Automatically updated long-term average call duration)

Make a test call to the carrier

To ensure everything has been set up properly, you can make a call from one of your customers to a carrier's number and verify the call is properly sent.

Personal tools
Namespaces

Variants
Actions
Navigation
Toolbox