Voicmail BLF

version 0.0.1

Script that polls all configured Asterisk mailboxes within a user specified voicemail context, and sets a custom device state for each reflecting if there are messages waiting or not. The device states can then be monitored by setting hints manually in extensions_custom.conf and BLF buttons on phones can be programmed to show the Voice mailbox status. Suitable for setups with a common shared voicemail box or for boss/secretary environment where a voicemail box is managed by an assistant.

Requirements:

• FreePBX 2.9 or higher
• Tested on Asterisk 1.8, other version will probably work.

Limitations:

• This script will not work if users are using the ARI to access/delete voicemail. In an environment where voicemail is being accessed by means other than by phone, set up a cron entry to run the script automatically.
• There are many projects that take advantage of the voicemail externnotify variable, it can only be used to call one script. If the externnotify field is already populated in Voicemail Admin, you may break existing functionality by replacing it.

Installation:

• Download the script vmdevstate.php and save it to /var/lib/asterisk/agi-bin/ change ownership to asterisk:asterisk
• In FreePBX, Voicemail Admin, settings in the field externnotify, add '/var/lib/asterisk/agi-bin/vmdevstate.php' (without quotes)
• In /etc/asterisk/extensions_custom.conf under the [from-internal-custom] heading, add a lines like this for each mailbox you need want a hint. Substitue the actual voicemail dial prefix in place of the *98 and the actual extension number:

[from-internal-custom]

; set voicemail hint for ext 201
exten => *98201,hint,Custom:MWI201

; set voicemail hint for ext 202
exten => *98202,hint,Custom:MWI202

• On your phone, if you want to monitor the status of Mailbox 202, program a BLF as *98202