When installing zaptel pstn cards, such as the x100p or a digium tdm400p card with fxo module(s), very often problems occur with hangups of the zaptel end not being detected by asterisk.



This is not a good approach as in most cases the problem is not only with voicemail but with any call with at least 1 zap leg. (although it doesnt show up as often on a ZAP to SIP call as normally at the end of a conversation both ends will hangup, and the sip bye will go through, ending both call legs).



Possible Solutions: ordered by recommendation - higher is better

1) Try reverse polarity (cvs-head only, dates after 17nov '04 - bug here )




2) Go fix your location in zapata.conf

By default, asterisk listens for a busy tone or a a dial tone on the line to detect if the line got hung up.

These tones are different in different countries, duration and tones might differ a little between carriers.

The definitions of these indications can be found in /etc/asterisk/indications.conf
Try to find your country in the list, if its there, go look at /etc/asterisk/zapata.conf



Lets explain what those 3 options mean:

busydetect:


To avoid this, they invented the next option,

Busycount:


A side effect is, that it will take longer to detect a hangup and in case of a real hangup, the line will stay occupied for a little longer than with a lower value of busycount.

callprogress:


Please note that none of these 3 options should be activated on digital zaptel channels, (BRI, PRI) as they will not help with anything, they will just cause false hangups).

When you get the reverse polarity to work, dont use these options either.



3) Check your signalling settings in zapata.conf:



The correct choice for the signalling= line depends on your carrier.
When you call them with this question they probably wont have a clue what you are talking about so trying several might be a good idea.

Kewl start is the best option there is, but it might not work in your situation, try to call your telco and ask for "disconnect supervision"
In this case, the telco will cut the power on the 2 telephone lines for a small period of time or will reverse the polarity on the lines.

(You could check this by calling to that pstn line, and connecting a phone with a lighted keypad and without external power supply there).
If the lights go out when the other end disconnects, the telco has disconnect supervision.

Loop start does not send a hangup signal, you will need the busydetect parameter.

I dont know if you need extra options with Ground start signalling, i never tried it myself. Let us know if you know.



4) Sell your x100p or clone on ebay or feed it to the dogs, and buy a real TDM card, like the tdm400p.



The x100p's are not very good with the hangups or with callerids.



5) Buy a device like : this device



Quote:

I never tried it myself, but it might work, and its a hardware solution instead of detecting the busytones in software. (as with the busydetect option).