Switching to VoIP

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Advanced Call-Handling Applications

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meaning numeric or alphanumeric paging or an automatic agent that calls the user’s

cell phone to tell, via a recorded voice, that new messages are waiting to be heard.

The user can then listen to the messages if he wants.

With some tweaking and a few additional software packages, a Linux-based Asterisk

server can be set up to replicate all of these scenarios. In its default configuration,

Asterisk can be used to automatically notify voice mail subscribers by email when

they’ve received a call—using sendmail or qmail.

Advanced Call-Handling Applications

Here are some call-handling applications that, while a little more advanced, your

users may well insist on having.

Call Parking and Orbit

Call parking is a form of hold and transfer offered on some PBXs. It allows calls to be

placed on hold at ad hoc virtual extensions (i.e., parked) until the intended recipient

of the transfer can be located. She then dials the virtual extension and is connected

with the holding caller.

Orbit adds a bit of functionality to call parking by causing the holding call to eventu-

ally ring back at the phone where it was parked to begin with (orbiting) or perhaps

ring another phone in a programmed sequential group.

Project 5.2. Set Up Call Parking

Where do calls go when