Configuring Voicemail in Asterisk

Introduction

• Continuation from the previous session on configuring voicemail
• Focus now on integrating voicemail into the dial plan

Required Applications

1. VoiceMail: Used for callers to leave a voicemail
2. VoiceMailMain: Allows users to manage their voicemail boxes

Identifying Necessary Applications

• Use the Asterisk console to find the needed applications: core show application <application_name>
• Applications to look for:
  • VoiceMail
  • VoiceMailMain

Configuration Syntax

VoiceMail

• Syntax: VoiceMail(mailbox@context)
• Optional context if it is the default context
• Example: VoiceMail(100@default)

VoiceMailMain

• Syntax: VoiceMailMain(mailbox@context)
• Example: VoiceMailMain(100@default)

Adding to Dial Plan

• Configure phones and set dial application with timeout
• If timeout expires or call cannot be made, redirect to voicemail
• Example configuration: exten => 100,1,Dial(SIP/John,5) same => n,VoiceMail(100@default) same => n,Hangup() exten => 200,1,Dial(SIP/Jane,10) same => n,VoiceMail(200@default) same => n,Hangup()

Improved Efficiency

• Use variables to reduce static information
• Example: exten => _X.,1,Dial(SIP/${EXTEN},10) same => n,VoiceMail(${EXTEN}@default) same => n,Hangup()

Testing and Verification

• Use Asterisk console commands: core reload or dialplan reload
• Make test calls to verify voicemail redirection and recording

Managing Voicemail

• Call VoiceMailMain to manage mailbox
• Example call: exten => 123,1,VoiceMailMain(100@default) same => n,Hangup()
• Enter the mailbox and PIN to manage

Features in VoiceMailMain

• Listen to voicemails
• Delete voicemails
• Move voicemails
• Create custom prompts for different scenarios (e.g., out of office, busy)

Future Enhancements

• Different prompts for various scenarios (phone busy, no answer, etc.)
• Further tutorials will cover more advanced configurations.

Conclusion

• Successfully configured basic voicemail and integrated it into the dial plan
• Next tutorial will refine and improve voicemail handling.