NewStats: 3,263,759 , 8,181,308 topics. Date: Saturday, 07 June 2025 at 07:00 PM 4ri6m

It's v16 from that link you dropped earlier.

Thank you, I've seen the step I missed now.

Now I need to refresh my memory on a netpractice project I did 3 years ago in order to subnet mask and other networking properly.

Will let you know how it goes.

airsaylongcome:


We run away from IPv6 in VoIP o.

Thank you.

Now the ping is successful.

Will continue with the video tomorrow, and keep you updated.

lexdino:

Thank you.

Now the ping is successful.

Will continue with the video tomorrow, and keep you updated.

You don "turn" German finish. You should keep up with those "The VoIP Guys" on YouTube. Their Asterisk Content was so good that I actually considered translating their Mikrotik German content

airsaylongcome:


You don "turn" German finish. You should keep up with those "The VoIP Guys" on YouTube. Their Asterisk Content was so good that I actually considered translating their Mikrotik German content

Not really though.
Just trying to save up a little, learn some skill and leave here as soon as possible.
Na PC wey I buy recently but too lazy to English language pack for it.

airsaylongcome:
Anyone watching the Crosstalk Solutions videos? Need clarification? Feel free to ask. I will answer to the best of my ability. Would focus on answering any questions related to the videos over the weekends.

Around the 9:43 timeframe of the part 5 of that series, when Chris started explaining the downsides of using the Responsive Firewall option, he talked about an alternative which is using a "Dynamic DNS Name" to authorize an employee accessing the Server remotely from a dynamic IP address, e.g., bobhome.dyndns.org
Does this mean besides the public IP address (visible when I visit Websites like whatismyip.com) that changes each time I reboot my home router, there is a DNS Name for my router that remains static and publicly visible?

lexdino:

Around the 9:43 timeframe of the part 5 of that series, when Chris started explaining the downsides of using the Responsive Firewall option, he talked about an alternative which is using a "Dynamic DNS Name" to authorize an employee accessing the Server remotely from a dynamic IP address, e.g., bobhome.dyndns.org
Does this mean besides the public IP address (visible when I visit Websites like whatismyip.com) that changes each time I reboot my home router, there is a DNS Name for my router that remains static and publicly visible?

The DDNS service requires an agent running on your router that updates their server with your public IP when it changes. So yes you can have a public IP address that remains the same even when your Public IP changes. I don't like it though cos if I correctly, you have open a port on your router. I prefer to us a VPN to allow me remotely access my PBX. I use Tailscale for that. No port opened. Access only available to devices on my Tailscale network. Away from home, your battery can take a hit as the Tailscale app kinda drains battery. But for learning purposes, I turn it on when I want to test connection from out of home. In production, you would often have a Session Border Controller in front of your PBX that will proxy connection to your PBX. That adds a layer of complexity which you may not have the skill set for yet. So best would be to use ddns or Tailscale

Lol! I'm liking this Nairaland block feature.

They deleted my post
I was asking if attending that "Master your call flows..." event you dropped the link has any significance, since I'm still at the very beginning of learning that Series.
Anyway, I ended up not being able to attend.

airsaylongcome:
Lol! I'm liking this Nairaland block feature.

lexdino:
They deleted my post
I was asking if attending that "Master your call flows..." event you dropped the link has any significance, since I'm still at the very beginning of learning that Series.
Anyway, I ended up not being able to attend.

Oh was it yours? Too bad. Wasn't really needed and may have overwhelmed you sef. It's one of my guys that was presenting his FreePBX module. Nice stuff but may have been too technical for you

.

airsaylongcome:


Oh was it yours? Too bad. Wasn't really needed and may have overwhelmed you sef. It's one of my guys that was presenting his FreePBX module. Nice stuff but may have been too technical for you

Network Security guy here less than 3 years with CCNA certification and small linux experience... I have been looking towards this space but like you said, it's niche and not alot of jobs like the generic Network engineer jobs in Naija.. I'll look into the resources you dropped to see if it's something I can commit to.

Thank you

emoboy4u:
Network Security guy here less than 3 years with CCNA certification and small linux experience... I have been looking towards this space but like you said, it's niche and not alot of jobs like the generic Network engineer jobs in Naija.. I'll look into the resources you dropped to see if it's something I can commit to.

Thank you

The "community" has been the key for me. Whether that's FreePBX community, Freeswitch community, asterisk community, even reddit. These have been the key. I go there, read posts, engage/help troubleshoot other s issues etc. You are learning but also putting yourself out there. Recently got a Canadian gig to deploy a pilot for a multitenant voip infrastructure. Just from a post on one of the communities. The poster was hell bent on using that community software. I was 10000% convinced a different solution was best suited. We had UAT on Saturday and after all the tests, he said "I want to thank you for insisting. My developer is very pleased with the APIs and the documentation".

The community is smaller. Most people who contribute there see it as more than "just a job". So anyone hunting to hire there greatly cuts down the number of applicants by almost 80%

airsaylongcome:


The "community" has been the key for me. Whether that's FreePBX community, Freeswitch community, asterisk community, even reddit. These have been the key. I go there, read posts, engage/help troubleshoot other s issues etc. You are learning but also putting yourself out there. Recently got a Canadian gig to deploy a pilot for a multitenant voip infrastructure. Just from a post on one of the communities. The poster was hell bent on using that community software. I was 10000% convinced a different solution was best suited. We had UAT on Saturday and after all the tests, he said "I want to thank you for insisting. My developer is very pleased with the APIs and the documentation".

The community is smaller. Most people who contribute there see it as more than "just a job". So anyone hunting to hire there greatly cuts down the number of applicants by almost 80%

Hmm, great...But do you code, like development code or write configs, like typical network or sys s...What's the job security like especially for folks working remotely from a place like Nigeria

emoboy4u:
Hmm, great...But do you code, like development code or write configs, like typical network or sys s...What's the job security like especially for folks working remotely from a place like Nigeria

I don't code in the classic sense of "engineering" code for software. Some of the solutions we use require scripting and I do a bit of that. But some of the "coding" is just pure bash or Python stuff. One I had to do recently was to monitor and report extensions outages. Like when a phone is no longer connected to the phone system. Basic stuff but the customer was big on it (some Oil and Gas business somewhere on the continent). But yes I code when/if I have to.

Job security? If you are good you don't have to worry about that. As long as you continually develop and improve yourself (learn new stuff, improve existing ones) you are mostly good. The field is not that big so companies are very hesitant to let go of those they have.

About programming/coding: this open source project has been looking for a dev for months now

https://www.jambonz.org/docs/jobs/lead-dev/

@Airsaylongcome

You are doing well

I'm staring a new project that will span for 3 -5 days. This project will cover everything from installing FreeSWITCH + Debian 12 on Raspberry Pi to integrating Local SIP trunk and lastly a Zigbee lighting control module.

FreeSWITCH on Raspberry Pi with SIP Trunk and Zigbee Module Integration


Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB RAM
MicroSD card- Sandisk 64gig Class 10)
Stable internet connection - From my Starlink
SIP trunk with 1 DID from a Nigerian Provider
Zigbee relay module - Zigbee2MQTT
Zigbee USB coordinator - CC2652P

This setup is aimed at building a complete VoIP system with home automation integration.

When completed I will be able to


Receive calls on the DID via the local SIP trunk
get an outbound calls through the provider once the state of the relay changes- Normally Open (NO) or Normally Closed
Control Zigbee devices via voice commands by calling extension 9999
Integrate additional home automation features if needed leveraging on the relay - Normally Open (NO) or Normally Closed

Getting Started

airsaylongcome:


I don't code in the classic sense of "engineering" code for software. Some of the solutions we use require scripting and I do a bit of that. But some of the "coding" is just pure bash or Python stuff. One I had to do recently was to monitor and report extensions outages. Like when a phone is no longer connected to the phone system. Basic stuff but the customer was big on it (some Oil and Gas business somewhere on the continent). But yes I code when/if I have to.

Job security? If you are good you don't have to worry about that. As long as you continually develop and improve yourself (learn new stuff, improve existing ones) you are mostly good. The field is not that big so companies are very hesitant to let go of those they have.

About programming/coding: this open source project has been looking for a dev for months now

https://www.jambonz.org/docs/jobs/lead-dev/

Many thanks for the detailed .. I'll look into the resources you shared and setup a lab to test the waters

sangomaNG:
@Airsaylongcome

You are doing well

I greet your “governments” sir. Finally some more experienced folks coming out of the woodworks. SangomaNG. You represent “them” here in Naija? We should collab on some gigs o. And bring some young guns through. The field is very niche and can be lonely sometimes. Glad to have you here. And will contribute on your thread

sangomaNG:
I'm staring a new project that will span for 3 -5 days. This project will cover everything from installing FreeSWITCH + Debian 12 on Raspberry Pi to integrating Local SIP trunk and lastly a Zigbee lighting control module.

FreeSWITCH on Raspberry Pi with SIP Trunk and Zigbee Module Integration


Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB RAM
MicroSD card- Sandisk 64gig Class 10)
Stable internet connection - From my Starlink
SIP trunk with 1 DID from a Nigerian Provider
Zigbee relay module - Zigbee2MQTT
Zigbee USB coordinator - CC2652P

I’m interested! Where did you get your Zigbee? That Vilros power brick I’m seeing in the background makes me already guess that is Amazon. The challenges of this hobby in this country 🤦🏽‍♂️. I’m interested sha. Very interested.


I struggled with Freeswitch (and FusionPBX). You will see an abandoned FS thread in my post history. I just couldn’t wrap my head around Internal and external profiles. I understand them now a bit more in the last one month because I switched employers and the new guys are pure Freeswitch/FusionPBX/Kamailio house. So instead of to sink in the sea, I’m forced to learn FS and Fusion

sangomaNG:
This setup is aimed at building a complete VoIP system with home automation integration.

When completed I will be able to


Receive calls on the DID via the local SIP trunk
get an outbound calls through the provider once the state of the relay changes- Normally Open (NO) or Normally Closed
Control Zigbee devices via voice commands by calling extension 9999
Integrate additional home automation features if needed leveraging on the relay - Normally Open (NO) or Normally Closed

Some explanation of the VoIP lingo so “lay people” can understand:

DID: Direct Inward Dial. Also called DDI-Direct Dial-In. Both refer to the same thing. The choice (used to) depend on region. Americans call it DID, most of the rest of the world calls it DDI. It’s essentially a phone number. Think of it as equivalent to your GSM number. Any call to that number will ring your VoIP phone

SIP Trunk: this is the “connection” that ensures that calls to your DID are routed to your VoIP infrastructure. It is provided by companies authorised by NCC to provide “SIP Trunking” services. In Nigeria Airtel and to some extent MTN are major telcos that provide it. There are several other smaller telcos that play in the space. I will give an honourable mention to RapidBTS as one of their employees (Holla Adamu) offered me a SIP trunk and DID when I started out 4 years ago.

Zigbee: This is not VoIP but is something that may also need explanation. So the poster is looking to do some Home Automation (those who follow this thread from the beginning know that I’m interested in it). So one way to connect “smart home devices” (think of smart light switches) is over WiFi. But this can be a challenge as many home automation devices can overwhelm your WiFi. Zigbee is a “way” to connect your smart devices to your home network using an “alternative” to WiFi. I don’t fully understand it (yet) as my “play” in home automation so far has been using Tapoo smart plugs. But more robust home automation projects use Zigbee (or an alternate protocol called Zwave). So think of Zigbee as a means to connect your smart devices to your home network. In the poster’s setup, dialing extension 9999 on his PBX (he is using a software called Freeswitch to run his PBX, most of my post has been around Asterisk, a different but similar PBX software) will give access to his Zigbee controller were he can issue commands by pressing buttons on his phone. The buttons issue a “tone” called DTMF which provide instruction to the Zigbee controller on what to do

That’s as simple as I could try to explain it. Hope it makes sense, if it doesn’t, it eventually will

sangomaNG:
Getting Started

Wicked! My Vilros power brick died on me. I have an OEM RPi power brick but that means one of my RPi is always down. I'm sure excited to see another hobbyist. I'm leaving RPis sha. Getting too expensive for what they deliver now. Used Thinkcentres cost almost the same and deliver more computing power.

sangomaNG:
I'm staring a new project that will span for 3 -5 days. This project will cover everything from installing FreeSWITCH + Debian 12 on Raspberry Pi to integrating Local SIP trunk and lastly a Zigbee lighting control module.

FreeSWITCH on Raspberry Pi with SIP Trunk and Zigbee Module Integration


Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB RAM
MicroSD card- Sandisk 64gig Class 10)
Stable internet connection - From my Starlink
SIP trunk with 1 DID from a Nigerian Provider
Zigbee relay module - Zigbee2MQTT
Zigbee USB coordinator - CC2652P

Been following your post and anticipating your on the project

airsaylongcome:


Some explanation of the VoIP lingo so “lay people” can understand:

DID: Direct Inward Dial. Also called DDI-Direct Dial-In. Both refer to the same thing. The choice (used to) depend on region. Americans call it DID, most of the rest of the world calls it DDI. It’s essentially a phone number. Think of it as equivalent to your GSM number. Any call to that number will ring your VoIP phone

SIP Trunk: this is the “connection” that ensures that calls to your DID are routed to your VoIP infrastructure. It is provided by companies authorised by NCC to provide “SIP Trunking” services. In Nigeria Airtel and to some extent MTN are major telcos that provide it. There are several other smaller telcos that play in the space. I will give an honourable mention to RapidBTS as one of their employees (Holla Adamu) offered me a SIP trunk and DID when I started out 4 years ago.

Zigbee: This is not VoIP but is something that may also need explanation. So the poster is looking to do some Home Automation (those who follow this thread from the beginning know that I’m interested in it). So one way to connect “smart home devices” (think of smart light switches) is over WiFi. But this can be a challenge as many home automation devices can overwhelm your WiFi. Zigbee is a “way” to connect your smart devices to your home network using an “alternative” to WiFi. I don’t fully understand it (yet) as my “play” in home automation so far has been using Tapoo smart plugs. But more robust home automation projects use Zigbee (or an alternate protocol called Zwave). So think of Zigbee as a means to connect your smart devices to your home network. In the poster’s setup, dialing extension 9999 on his PBX (he is using a software called Freeswitch to run his PBX, most of my post has been around Asterisk, a different but similar PBX software) will give access to his Zigbee controller were he can issue commands by pressing buttons on his phone. The buttons issue a “tone” called DTMF which provide instruction to the Zigbee controller on what to do

That’s as simple as I could try to explain it. Hope it makes sense, if it doesn’t, it eventually will

Thanks for all your educating posts - they're extremely informing and useful.

airsaylongcome:


Wicked! My Vilros power brick died on me. I have an OEM RPi power brick but that means one of my RPi is always down. I'm sure excited to see another hobbyist. I'm leaving RPis sha. Getting too expensive for what they deliver now. Used Thinkcentres cost almost the same and deliver more computing power.

Cost of hardware made me quit continuing the journey into network engineering. I'm willing to continue learning if there's a means to virtualize learning completely, while still being able to achieve real world use - and not just some projects using virtual tools that will only live inside my pc due to my inability to afford hardware for realworld practicing.

MacMkboy:


Cost of hardware made me quit continuing the journey into network engineering. I'm willing to continue learning if there's a means to virtualize learning completely, while still being able to achieve real world use - and not just some projects using virtual tools that will only live inside my pc due to my inability to afford hardware for realworld practicing.

For traditional network Engineering, there are emulators like GNS3, Pnetlab, Eve-NG that can be use to virtualize hardware like switches, routers, firewalls, monitoring tools, windows, linux endpoints and many more hardware appliances..

The only requirement is that you have a very powerful laptop or workstation. Depending on your lab and topology, you might need anywhere from 16 - 128GB RAM with atleast 8 U cores...You can research more on this.

emoboy4u:
For traditional network Engineering, there are emulators like GNS3, Pnetlab, Eve-NG that can be use to virtualize hardware like switches, routers, firewalls, monitoring tools, windows, linux endpoints and many more hardware appliances..

The only requirement is that you have a very powerful laptop or workstation. Depending on your lab and topology, you might need anywhere from 16 - 128GB RAM with atleast 8 U cores...You can research more on this.

Wow - that's quite a massive requirement in addition to the expensive certifications that's mandatory for one to get a job and grow in the field. I guess that's why there're very few people venturing into it. I currently work in the ive telecom but it's not something I enjoy and I'm looking towards switching to the active part but I don't know how to do that easily. My plan is to go for an MSc in network engineering to give me an edge. Anyone willing to provide counsel on how I can make the switch without going through the long education route?

MacMkboy:


Wow - that's quite a massive requirement in addition to the expensive certifications that's mandatory for one to get a job and grow in the field. I guess that's why there're very few people venturing into it. I currently work in the ive telecom but it's not something I enjoy and I'm looking towards switching to the active part but I don't know how to do that easily. My plan is to go for an MSc in network engineering to give me an edge. Anyone willing to provide counsel on how I can make the switch without going through the long education route?

Lol, many people are in network engineering. I don't know your condition but many people I know started without any certifications but their regular Bsc. For entry level, what is required is that you know the basics which can be learnt from watching YT videos or some certification courses which are free . You don't need to take any certification yet.

Could clarify what you mean by ive telecom?

emoboy4u:
Lol, many people are in network engineering. I don't know your condition but many people I know started without any certifications but their regular Bsc. For entry level, what is required is that you know the basics which can be learnt from watching YT videos or some certification courses which are free . You don't need to take any certification yet.

Could clarify what you mean by ive telecom?

ive telecom handles the non-signal generating equipment at a bts.