TIPS Did I Pick Wrong Version?

[G-Man]

*Level: Novice (fast learner though).
*Harware: Dedicated microATX w/Intel Core i3-540 (3.06GHz), 4GB DDR3 RAM, and 500GB HDD.
*Configuration: SOHO using 2-line unlocked Motorola VT2442 ATA for 2 analog phones. Soft FAX (hopefully).
*The Gotcha-Free PBX: Introducing Incredible PBX for Asterisk-GUI (CentOS) using the CentOS-6.6-x86_64-minimal.iso.
*Asterisk Build: Asterisk/11.16.0 Asterisk GUI-version : SVN-branch-2.0-r5220

I just installed this last week. So before I wipe it out and start fresh with some other PBX software, I wanted to get a more experienced opinion as to whether I’ve selected the right version for my needs or a recommendation for something else.

With this particular install, it does not currently allow me to add more than one Google Voice trunk. This kills it for me completely because my plans were centered on 3 Google Voice lines I am migrating from an ObiHai/CallCentric setup. I was hoping to dedicate 2 of these lines for voice, directly routing each to their own extensions and then on to a 2-line external ATA for analogue hard phones.

The 3rd line is intended to be a dedicate soft-fax line for AvantFax.

I was also hoping I could record all calls, but I don’t see a module or way to set up such a feature at this time.

And lastly, I can’t get AvantFax to actually send or receive faxes even though everything seems to have installed correctly. I get “Please Wait” next to the virtual fax name in the AvantFax-GUI and a “Waiting for modem to come ready” in the HylaFax-GUI.

This may have been the result of an install error in which I thought the Asterisk install was complete and jumped the gun by installing AvantFax too soon. When I couldn’t find the AvantFax-GUI icon in the Asterisk-GUI, I re-ran the install command which seems to have worked. But maybe that is my problem.

So, I am not so much asking for fixes right now (unless you want to help), but rather I’m inquiring as to whether you folks feel I should reconsider the version I chose based on the needs I’ve specified? Thanks in advance.

 

[wardmundy]

The fax software is temperamental. If you jumped the gun on the install and then attempted to reinstall, you will definitely have problems. As to Google Voice, we have been holding off introducing support for multiple GV trunks until Google gives some indication of whether they still will support XMPP a month from now. Once that is cleared up, we plan to support multiple GV trunks. In the meantime, if you're desperate, switch to one of the other Incredible PBX builds. All of them are documented in this week's Nerd Vittles article together with links to the tutorials. A word to the wise, however. Don't put all your eggs in the Google Voice basket. You are going to be disappointed sooner or later because of the way Google manages the GV project.

 

[G-Man]

Thank you for your response. It quite helps, as well as builds confidence, when one can get info straight from the proverbial horses mouth. You've echoed most of my existing thoughts. I have been taking a hard look at "Midnight Madness: Introducing Incredible PBX 12 with Asterisk 12 and FreePBX" as a replacement. I've also learned from your comments in various posts stating not to put all the eggs in the Google Voice basket. As such I will be maintaining my CallCentric account as well as start playing with a few other providers. I just want to cut my teeth using the GV lines for now because they seem easy to config. and move on. Again, thank you for your fast response.

 

[wardmundy]

G-Man: Asterisk 12/13 and FreePBX 12/13 are still very much experimental from our vantage point.