Asterisk PBX running, let’s configure IVR (Interactive Voice Response), Voicemail, and Call Recording.

---

1. Setting Up IVR (Interactive Voice Response)

IVR allows callers to navigate menus using DTMF (touch-tone) inputs.

Step 1: Create an IVR Context

Edit the extensions.conf file:

bash
sudo nano /etc/asterisk/extensions.conf

Step 2: Define the IVR Menu

Add an IVR context:

ini[ivr-menu]
exten => s,1,Answer()
 same => n,Background(ivr-welcome)  ; Play welcome message
 same => n,WaitExten(5)             ; Wait 5 seconds for input

; Press 1 for Sales
exten => 1,1,Playback(sales-message)
 same => n,Dial(SIP/1001,20)
 same => n,Hangup()

; Press 2 for Support
exten => 2,1,Playback(support-message)
 same => n,Dial(SIP/1002,20)
 same => n,Hangup()

; Press 0 for Operator
exten => 0,1,Dial(SIP/1003,20)
 same => n,Hangup()

; Invalid or timeout
exten => i,1,Playback(invalid-option)
 same => n,Goto(ivr-menu,s,1)

exten => t,1,Playback(timeout-message)
 same => n,Goto(ivr-menu,s,1)

Step 3: Record Custom IVR Prompts

Use Asterisk to record custom prompts:

bash
sudo asterisk -rvvv

Run the following command:

asterisk
core set verbose 3
module load app_record.so

Then dial:

*777

Follow the prompts and record messages for “Welcome”, “Sales”, “Support”, etc.

Alternatively, place pre-recorded .wav files in:

swiftCopyEdit/var/lib/asterisk/sounds/en/

Step 4: Assign IVR as the Incoming Call Handler

Modify the [default] context in extensions.conf:

ini
[default]
exten => _X.,1,Goto(ivr-menu,s,1)

Restart Asterisk:

bash
sudo systemctl restart asterisk

Test by dialing into the PBX.

---

2. Setting Up Voicemail

Voicemail allows users to receive and retrieve voice messages.

Step 1: Edit Voicemail Configuration

bash
sudo nano /etc/asterisk/voicemail.conf

Add:

ini
[default]
1001 => 1234,User One,user1@example.com
1002 => 1234,User Two,user2@example.com

This means:

• Extension 1001 has voicemail PIN 1234.
• Messages are sent to the user’s email.

Step 2: Configure Voicemail in Dial Plan

Modify extensions.conf:

ini[internal]
exten => 1001,1,Dial(SIP/1001,20)
 same => n,Voicemail(1001,u)  ; u = unavailable, b = busy
 same => n,Hangup()

exten => 1002,1,Dial(SIP/1002,20)
 same => n,Voicemail(1002,u)
 same => n,Hangup()

Step 3: Enable Voicemail in Asterisk

Restart Asterisk:

bashCopyEditsudo systemctl restart asterisk

Step 4: Access Voicemail

Users can check voicemail by dialing:

*97

or from another extension:

php-templateCopyEdit*98<extension_number>

---

3. Setting Up Call Recording

Call recording is useful for logging calls for quality control, training, or compliance.

Step 1: Enable Recording in Dial Plan

Edit extensions.conf:

ini[internal]
exten => 1001,1,MixMonitor(/var/spool/asterisk/monitor/${UNIQUEID}.wav)
 same => n,Dial(SIP/1001,20)
 same => n,Hangup()

This records calls to /var/spool/asterisk/monitor/.

Step 2: Configure Call Recording Settings

Edit features.conf:

bash
sudo nano /etc/asterisk/features.conf

Enable on-demand recording:

ini
automon => *1

Step 3: Set Up Storage & Permissions

Ensure the directory exists and has the right permissions:

bash
sudo mkdir -p /var/spool/asterisk/monitor/
sudo chown asterisk:asterisk /var/spool/asterisk/monitor/
sudo chmod 755 /var/spool/asterisk/monitor/

Step 4: Restart Asterisk

bash
sudo systemctl restart asterisk

Step 5: Test Call Recording

1. Call from one extension to another.
2. Verify recordings:

bash
ls /var/spool/asterisk/monitor/

---

Final Testing & Debugging

Monitor Asterisk for any issues:

bash
sudo asterisk -rvvv

Check logs:

bashCopyEdittail -f /var/log/asterisk/full

---

Next Steps

• Configure CDR (Call Detail Records) logging.
• Integrate with a CRM.
• Add Failover & HA for redundancy.