asterisk users - Nov 2004 - Comparision of IAX2, FWD, iaxtel etc etc.

Hi,

I've been setting up * recently and slowly getting to grips with it, however
I'm getting rather confused with all the different configs for IAX
calls, FWD calls
iaxtel etc etc. What I think I need it a basic understanding or even a
comparison of
these different voip systems (if thats what they are?)

I'd like to be able to make calls to other voip users, both in the UK and
abroad
and also make calls out on to the UK and US networks if possible.

I'd also like to receive calls via a voip number?

My * box is on my local LAN behind a nat router if that helps.

Many thanks
Mike

> -----Original Message-----
> From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com 
> [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of 
> Mike Dent
> Sent: November 29, 2004 4:03 PM
> To: Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com
> Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Comparision of IAX2, FWD, iaxtel etc etc.
> 
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I've been setting up * recently and slowly getting to grips 
> with it, however I'm getting rather confused with all the 
> different configs for IAX calls, FWD calls iaxtel etc etc. 
> What I think I need it a basic understanding or even a 
> comparison of these different voip systems (if thats what they are?)
IAX2 is a VoIP protocol created by Mark Spencer and released under the
GPL. It is an alternative to SIP, MGCP, H.323 and the like. To those
familiar with it, it is considered to be technically superior to all
other VoIP protocols, and is popularly expected to render all the others
obsolete.

FWD and IAXtel are free VoIP "phone companies", if you will, who use
one
or more of the aforementioned protocols. Anyone can sign up for these
networks, get an ID number, give that number to their friends, and make
calls between each other. Similar to ICQ, MSN messenger and the like,
only focused on voice.

FWD is FreeWorldDialup.com, Jeff Pulver's free VoIP network. It
officially runs the SIP protocol, but there is experimental support for
the IAX2 protocol. Official IAX2 support is coming.

IAXtel.com is a similar service to FWD, but it is hosted by Digium and
officially its purpose is as follows: "The IAXtel network is primarily
used by Asterisk developers and hobbyists to test and use their systems
and study VoIP." Despite it's experimental status, IAXtel has over six
thousand registered users.
> I'd like to be able to make calls to other voip users, both 
> in the UK and abroad and also make calls out on to the UK and 
> US networks if possible.
Out of the services/protocols you've listed, FWD may be your best bet.
It's standards based (SIP), well supported, and an easily installable
client is available for Windows.

IAXtel is somewhat experimental, and is still somewhat Asterisk-centric.


There are also other companies offering these services, but they are not
free. Actually, if you want to hop off any VoIP network onto the PSTN,
you're going to pay for it somehow or another. DUNDi may change all that
(sorry for throwing a new term at you, but might as well get used to it
. . . ).
> I'd also like to receive calls via a voip number?
Naturally. Any of these services offer this kind of functionality.
> My * box is on my local LAN behind a nat router if that helps.
One of the reasons IAX2 is considered better than SIP is its ability to
pass through NATted firewalls without any special hacks. SIP is somewhat
more cumbersome in that regard. SIP is, however, the most widely
embraced VoIP protocol at this time. Again, many expect IAX2 to supplant
it, but that has not happend yet.

Too many choices, eh?

Cheers,

Jim.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Dent [mailto:mcdent@gmail.com] 
> Sent: November 29, 2004 6:31 PM
> To: jim@vanmeggelen.ca
> Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] Comparision of IAX2, FWD, 
> iaxtel etc etc.
> 
> 
> Hi Jim,
> many thanks for your great reply!
You're welcome.
> So it looks like I should concentrate on getting FWD working 
> both ways  via my Asterisk box, assuming I can manage to 
> negotiate my NAT router.
That sounds like a solid plan to me. The folks you want to connect to
through FWD can be instructed to install the Pulver.communicator
(http://www.pulver.com/communicator/), which is easy for newbs to set
up, or, anyone with SIP endpoints can register with FWD and use their
SIP devices, while you have it all nicely tied in with your Asterisk.
When you're ready to go to IAX, you'll be coming at it with a solid
foundation.
> I managed to sign up with voicepulse.com (connect account) 
> and was able to call a friend of my wifes in the US this 
> evening, very impressive! Snag was I could not get her off 
> the phone, I think she was on about 45 mins for something 
> like $1.20, very impressive!
It cost MONEY?!?! Oh no! THAT'S not right . . . ;-)

Cheers,

Jim



 
> On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 18:21:18 -0500, Jim Van Meggelen 
> <jim@vanmeggelen.ca> wrote:
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > 
> > 
> > > From: asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com
> > > [mailto:asterisk-users-bounces@lists.digium.com] On 
> Behalf Of Mike 
> > > Dent
> > > Sent: November 29, 2004 4:03 PM
> > > To: Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com
> > > Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Comparision of IAX2, FWD, 
> iaxtel etc etc.
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I've been setting up * recently and slowly getting to 
> grips with it, 
> > > however I'm getting rather confused with all the 
> different configs 
> > > for IAX calls, FWD calls iaxtel etc etc. What I think I need it a
> > > basic understanding or even a comparison of these different voip 
> > > systems (if thats what they are?)
> > 
> > IAX2 is a VoIP protocol created by Mark Spencer and 
> released under the 
> > GPL. It is an alternative to SIP, MGCP, H.323 and the like. 
> To those 
> > familiar with it, it is considered to be technically 
> superior to all 
> > other VoIP protocols, and is popularly expected to render all the 
> > others obsolete.
> > 
> > FWD and IAXtel are free VoIP "phone companies", if you 
> will, who use 
> > one or more of the aforementioned protocols. Anyone can sign up for 
> > these networks, get an ID number, give that number to their 
> friends, 
> > and make calls between each other. Similar to ICQ, MSN 
> messenger and 
> > the like, only focused on voice.
> > 
> > FWD is FreeWorldDialup.com, Jeff Pulver's free VoIP network. It 
> > officially runs the SIP protocol, but there is experimental support 
> > for the IAX2 protocol. Official IAX2 support is coming.
> > 
> > IAXtel.com is a similar service to FWD, but it is hosted by 
> Digium and 
> > officially its purpose is as follows: "The IAXtel network 
> is primarily 
> > used by Asterisk developers and hobbyists to test and use their 
> > systems and study VoIP." Despite it's experimental status, 
> IAXtel has 
> > over six thousand registered users.
> > 
> > > I'd like to be able to make calls to other voip users, 
> both in the 
> > > UK and abroad and also make calls out on to the UK and US 
> networks 
> > > if possible.
> > 
> > Out of the services/protocols you've listed, FWD may be 
> your best bet. 
> > It's standards based (SIP), well supported, and an easily 
> installable 
> > client is available for Windows.
> > 
> > IAXtel is somewhat experimental, and is still somewhat 
> > Asterisk-centric.
> > 
> > There are also other companies offering these services, but 
> they are 
> > not free. Actually, if you want to hop off any VoIP network 
> onto the 
> > PSTN, you're going to pay for it somehow or another. DUNDi 
> may change 
> > all that (sorry for throwing a new term at you, but might 
> as well get 
> > used to it . . . ).
> > 
> > > I'd also like to receive calls via a voip number?
> > 
> > Naturally. Any of these services offer this kind of functionality.
> > 
> > > My * box is on my local LAN behind a nat router if that helps.
> > 
> > One of the reasons IAX2 is considered better than SIP is 
> its ability 
> > to pass through NATted firewalls without any special hacks. SIP is 
> > somewhat more cumbersome in that regard. SIP is, however, the most 
> > widely embraced VoIP protocol at this time. Again, many 
> expect IAX2 to 
> > supplant it, but that has not happend yet.
> > 
> > Too many choices, eh?
> > 
> > Cheers,
> > 
> > Jim.
> > 
> >
>

> One of the reasons IAX2 is considered better than SIP is its ability to
> pass through NATted firewalls without any special hacks. 
Question: if the asterisk box is sitting behind NAT, how does
*anything* talk to it without forwarding port 4569 to it in the NAT
router? Inquiring minds and all that :)

Wilson Pickett wrote:
>>One of the reasons IAX2 is considered better than SIP is its ability to
>>pass through NATted firewalls without any special hacks. 
> 
> 
> Question: if the asterisk box is sitting behind NAT, how does
> *anything* talk to it without forwarding port 4569 to it in the NAT
> router? Inquiring minds and all that :)
The box inside talks first through the NAT gateway, and then the other 
side finds its way back inside automagically.

No setup required :-)

B.

> The box inside talks first through the NAT gateway, and then the other
> side finds its way back inside automagically.
How would the IAX (host=dynamic) client first register? Am I missing something?