updating asterisk from 1.4 to 1.8?

[bobchaos]

Hello everyone,
I'm about to perform an update for a client to move him to the latest svn from 2.8 and I also want to update asterisk to version 1.8 while I'm at it. I've found surprisingly little info about such a process and was looking for your input. Once I nailed a solid method i'll post a new thread with instructions assuming there isn't already one that I missed. if anyone knows of such instructions please let me know.

Anyhow, here's my assumptions on how i should proceed:
1. Update vicidial to the latest trunk using the already well documented instructions.
2. Shut down asterisk service
3. Backup /etc/asterisk . We're about to overwrite all of it so you'll need to save your custom code (if any) for manual update to 1.8 syntax.
4. Update asterisk to latest supported patched 1.8-vici using package manager (zypper in vicibox)
4.5. You may need to install a custom repo or patch asterisk manually, depending on initial install method.
5. Run vicidial's install.pl to set asterisk version to 1.8 and install new sample dialplan and conf files
6. Manually update all custom dialplan codes.
7. In vicidial's admin interface system settings enter your new asterisk version.
8. Restart asterisk and test

Does this sound about right? Anyone sees anything missing or just blatantly stupid? O.o thanks!

[mflorell]

We've always found it's easiest to just move to a new machine with a fresh Vicibox install on it, then move over the backed-up database and other settings that have been customized. You are correct that updating vicidial on the old system is a good first step though.

[bobchaos]

Thanks for your input Matt. I sadly don't have a spare machine to work with, but if updating turns out to be too much trouble i'll just have my client get one >:D he's long overdue for a clusters anyhow

[williamconley]

And you don't really "upgrade" or "update" asterisk. You just install a fresh version of it from the Vicidial Patched Source Code (from the vicidial download site).

But: I do *NOT* recommend this. The Vicibox installer does an excellent job of creating a proper environment for Vicidial to run. Modifying the Vicidial codebase is expected. But modifying that environment is an invitation to disaster.

Let Kumba build your environment, and Matt maintain your Dialer software. You make sales and maintain the hardware. If you approach it from any other direction ... you'll regret it. And when that moment comes, I'll be there to say "See! I told ya! Now you owe me a pizza for warning you!".

On a more serious note: Vicidial does not gain anything from upgrading asterisk. Nothing. Nada. There's no reason to upgrade it.

[bobchaos]

Well that just saved me some time then :/ I was worried that with Asterisk 1.4 being long past end of life it might be a security issue but either way, my client's going cluster soon, I'll just setup a fresh 1.8 machine when it's time to split the roles. One major update is enough for today

@williamconley, I, sadly, am fully deprived of conventional wisdom and will therefor defy your warnings and mess with the environment and software anyhow XD It provides me with great entertainment I'll keep my shenanigans out of prod tho, promised!

[williamconley]

that *is* how we all learn. I also tend to arrive in a new destination by car a couple hours early. locate the place of the appointment. then wander around randomly for fun. well ... I used to. Dang GPS killed all that.

[boybawang]

1. backup /etc/asterisk folder
2. go to asterisk 1.4 source directory (/usr/src/asterisk/)
3. under the asterisk 1.4 source directory do a make uninstall-all
4. download http://download.vicidial.com/required-a ... ici.tar.gz
5. uncompress it and do a ./configure; make clean; make; make install; make samples
6. reinstall astguiclient scripts
7. reboot computer

[williamconley]

1. backup /etc/asterisk folder
2. go to asterisk 1.4 source directory (/usr/src/asterisk/)
3. under the asterisk 1.4 source directory do a make uninstall-all
4. download http://download.vicidial.com/required-a ... ici.tar.gz
5. uncompress it and do a ./configure; make clean; make; make install; make samples
6. reinstall astguiclient scripts
7. reboot computer

That's pretty succinct. What version of Vicibox did you test it with?

Probably a good idea to also change the Asterisk version under Admin->Servers ...?