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asterisk webmin module installation

Posted by Marcelo on Sat, 05/31/2008

Hi folks!

I had an asterisk server running version 1.2.7.1 working OK with all its conf files at /etc/asterisk.

Yesterday I installed webmin and thirdlane asterisk webmin module but all my config files were OVERWRITTEN by the module installation because it thought it was a new installation of asterisk.

I had no backup.
Is there a way to recover my config files?

My job depends on it.

Thanx in advance.

Marcelo.


Submitted by thirdlane on Sat, 05/31/2008 Permalink

Hi Marcelo,

I am sorry you had your files overwritten. We do warn about this in the Administrator's Guide, but I guess it is too late now.The module installation script always overwrites existing configuration files for the new (first) installation of PBX Manager.

If you don't have a backup, my suggestion is (if at all possible) to move forward and make the system work with PBX Manager.

Best regards,

Alex

Submitted by Marcelo on Sat, 05/31/2008 Permalink

Hi Alex,

Thanx for your reply.

I guess monday I´ll be unnemployed.

But that´s ok.

My bad not to have backups.

But I would like to leave a message to thirdlane devel team:

Please, change the code to check the existence of asterisk conf files and WARN admins what the module is about to do and even creating a backup (zip file) of the entire asterisk conf dir before installing. It´s not cool to know that another admin will have the same situation I am now.

I hope you understand.

Anyway,

Thanx.

Marcelo

Submitted by thirdlane on Sat, 05/31/2008 Permalink

Hi Marcelo,

I agree, creating a backup would not hurt. Is there anything I can do to help you with setting up the new PBX? I won't be around today but may be able to help you tomorrow.

You can contact me at alex at thirdlane dot com. Let me know.

Alex

Submitted by Marcelo on Mon, 06/02/2008 Permalink

Hi Alex,

Thanx for offering,

Indeed I need some help to create a "Incoming Fax Server" with Asterisk.

What I need is to receive Fax in a virtual extension and pass its contents in PDF format to a local sendmail process to send to final destination.

Like this:

My number is 1234-1111. I create a virtual extension called 9999. Any call to 1234-9999 is redirected to 9999 which sends fax reply and receive it. After that all fax content is put in a pdf file and sent as attachement by sendmail running locally to an external mailbox.

Is it possible?

I only need receive faxes. Not sending.

Thanx in advance.

Marcelo

Submitted by mikeatvillage on Tue, 07/15/2008 Permalink

This happened to me today !!

I thought Great, a webmin module to help manage my Asterisk server... yes, it managed, managed to wipe out all my configuration. I was not impressed.

I was lucky, my job didn't depend on it. I had no backup so performed a complete reinstallation of Asterisk. I was also lucky because this is a very basic Asterisk system and the only configuration I need to do is to '#include' my own extensions and sip files in the Asterisk estensions.conf and sip.conf

Would an installation of the module take into account my #include files ? I did try putting them in the extensions.conf ans sip.conf which the module had created but nothing seemed to work.

Oh, the reason for these include file is that I can export relevent data from my staff database (which holds their VoIP information along with other details) rather than having to enter everything manually.

Mike

Submitted by eeman on Wed, 07/16/2008 Permalink

Mike,

Are you kidding me?!? Try taking responsibility for your stupidity why don't you. Even a very green unix administrator would know to copy all their configs just prior to installing software designed to write changes to their configs. Would you try to upgrade PostgreSQL without first reading the directions and performing a dumpall for future restore? Good luck with your short career in server administration.

Considering that most gui administration tools don't even let you customize the config files after installation (like that crap freepbx); why would you assume that it wouldn't write new files in order for the GUI to work in the first place? That is completely irresponsible on your part and frankly if you want to be upset or 'not impressed' it should be with yourself. If you were my employee you would already be looking for another job as I have no tolerance for employees that display such absolute carelessness in their work practice. just my 2 cents. If I knew your boss' number I would call him and tell him just what sort of train wreck he has working for him. Absolutely unbelievable.

Submitted by George on Wed, 07/16/2008 Permalink

oh man you sound like me, thats funny and TRUE!!

>>If I knew your boss' number I would call him and tell him just what sort of train wreck he has working for him. Absolutely unbelievable.

I am NOT a programmer and not good but learning linux and before I did this latest update to MTE I had our backup server back up the WHOLE system, EVERYTHING!!. I did the upgrade and grabbed the couple files that I had worked on..

any administrator should know better then to do ANY with out making a backup first.. thats day one training even on winblows..

Give him hell Erik.. its been a very long day and I needed a good chuckle, thanks now I can go home with a smile :)

George

Submitted by mikeatvillage on Thu, 07/17/2008 Permalink

Yep ,glad you all had a good chuckle at my stupidity.... seriously, glad you all had a good chuckle :-)

I normally backup everything, in fact I have automated things so that all my servers backup everything every night. This asterisk system was a sideline project I'd been working on and I'd (stupidly) neglected to add it to my routine.

This sort of thing has never happened to me before so it looks like I'd become complacent (spelling ?). Now been jolted back into the real world, asterisk server added to backup routines, wrists slapped, major lesson learned.

Thanks.

ATB