In my previous article we configured Asterisk with some SIP-devices, and created a basic dialplan so that they could dial eachother. We also created two additional extensions for test purposes. This time I will show you how to configure a SIP trunk, and add extensions in the dialplan so that the telephones can dial out through the trunk. And if you also have a telephone number (DID) associated with the trunk, for others to be able to dial your phones, through your Asterisk PBX.
What is a SIP trunk?
A SIP trunk is often defined using many buzz- and marketing words throughout the web, but, what it basically is, is a two-way connection to a VOIP-provider, that routes the calls you send to it, out on the PSTN for you, and charges you for the calls you make. If you also have a DID (Direct Inward Dialing) number at the provider, calls made to you are forwarded to your Asterisk PBX, then you switch the calls as you see fit. Through a trunk, many calls can be sent, the limit is only your bandwidth and computer resources at the machine where your Asterisk runs, unless your VOIP-provider, or you for that matter, limit the number of calls in some way (by configuring the PBX at either end of the trunk), that are allowed to go through it. (more…)