Asterisk - Trying to use call files to create a conference call between two dynamic numbers

Question

I'm trying to setup an Asterisk system that will allow me to create a conference call between two dynamic numbers.

It seems I can use 'call files' to make Asterisk initiate the call without needing an incoming call - http://www.voip-info.org/tiki-index.php?page=Asterisk+auto-dial+out

This example seems to be what I'd need:

Channel: SIP/mytrunk/12345678
MaxRetries: 2
RetryTime: 60
WaitTime: 30
Context: callme
Extension: 800 
Priority: 2 

I can generate this file with some scripting language and then place it into the Asterisk Call File folder. The problem I'm having is: How do I call out to two numbers and join them in a conference call?

The MeetMe plugin/extension seems to be what I need in terms of conference calling, I'm just unsure as to how I'd use the two together and join them.

Also, is it possible to have multiple 2-person conference calls at the same time? Is setting this up as simple as setting aside X amount of 'channels' in the meetme.conf?

Answer 1

You're on the right lines - if you just want to connect 2 people you don't have any need for the meetme conferencing, just setup the following:

extensions.conf context to dial outbound (you may have similar already):

[DialOut]
exten _0X.,1,Dial(SIP/mytrunk/${EXTEN})

In your call file where 123456 is the phone number of person 1 & 654321 for person2:

Channel: SIP/mytrunk/123456
Context: DialOut
Extension: 654321
Priority: 1

That will make a call to person 1 and connect them to a context that dials person 2.

If you did want to call more than 2 people and conference them you'd need call files for each person, and you'd connect them to a context that joined them into a meetme conference.