Don’t Miss It: Sri Lankan Food Fair at GBV Premises
(November 15, 3–9 PM)
|
GBV Food Fair 2025 Saturday, November 15 • 3–9 PM at GBV Premises
Don’t Miss It: Sri Lankan Food Fair at GBV Premises
Connecting Our Community
Connecting Our Community: New VOIP Phone System at the Temple
Volunteer Project Led by Thevin Jayawardena, A Senior at
Milton High School
Introduction
We are excited to announce a major upgrade to the telecommunications system at the Temple, thanks to the dedicated volunteer work of
Thevin Jayawardena, a senior at Milton High School, under the guidance of his father
Niroshena Jayawardena, a senior Software Engineer, BSc (Hons), M.Sc. in
computer science. Thevin’s technical knowledge, relentless commitment, and his father’s
expertise have resulted in the implementation of a modern VOIP-based phone system. The
new VOIP phone system not only brings our growing Buddhist community in
Georgia, USA, closer but also enables members from across the country to stay
connected, collaborate, and share religious activities at the temple as well as
Buddhist teachings.
Technical Implementation: Building the Foundation
Thevin began his project by setting up the backbone of the
system—an Ubuntu server. This server acts as the central hub for all telecommunication
at the temple. Several key services were installed:
·
TFTP Server: Handles transfer of phone
configuration files.
·
MySQL Server: Stores phone directories and
system data securely.
·
Apache2 Server: Powers the web interface for
managing the phone system.
On top of these, Thevin installed and configured Asterisk
and FreePBX, two open-source platforms that work together to manage calls,
voicemails, and other phone features. Ubuntu provides a stable and flexible
environment for these tools, ensuring reliability and ease of maintenance.
Phone Configuration: Bringing CISCO 7975g Phones to Life
A highlight of the project was modifying the existing CISCO
7975g phones to work seamlessly with the new open-source platform. These phones
were originally designed for proprietary networks, but Thevin reconfigured them
to operate using SCCP (Skinny Client Control Protocol) with Asterisk. This
involved:
·
Installing the SCCP module on Asterisk.
·
Adapting the module to support all necessary
phone features.
·
Customizing configuration files and firmware
settings to ensure compatibility.
With these changes, the phones now connect reliably to the
temple’s network, providing high-quality voice communication for all users.
System Features: Enhancing Communication
The new phone system introduces several features designed to
serve the needs of both resident monks and devotees:
·
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System: A newly
designed IVR guides callers to the right resident monk, making it easier to
reach the appropriate Monk dedicated to the Specific task.
·
New Phone Extensions: Extensions have been set
up to connect directly to individual monks, departments, or temple facilities.
·
General Voicemail: All users now be able to
leave voice messages, ensuring that no important communication is missed.
·
Intercom System: Internal communication is
streamlined, allowing quick announcements and coordination throughout the
temple.
·
Devotees Phone Directory: A comprehensive
directory makes it simple to contact fellow devotees, enhancing community
interaction.
Community Impact: Strengthening Connections
The new VOIP system has significantly improved connectivity
within our temple. Resident monks can now communicate more efficiently with
devotees and themselves, whether inside the temple or remotely. The system
makes it easier for devotees to reach out, ask questions, and participate in
temple activities. With this high-tech communication system, we are fostering a
more connected, responsive, and inclusive community.
Cost Savings: Integration with Google Voice
A standout achievement of the project is the integration of
Google Voice with our phone system. This allows the temple to make and receive
calls without traditional phone lines, eliminating costly monthly bills.
Thevin’s solution leverages free and open-source tools while providing reliable
service and substantial savings for this nonprofit Organization, which provides enormous
service to our community.
Conclusion: Appreciation and Looking Ahead
We sincerely thank Thevin Jayawardena for his hard work,
technical skills, and generosity in volunteering for this project. His
contribution has brought lasting benefits to our Buddhist community in Atlanta, Georgia.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to his parents for their guidance
and financial support throughout the project. With our new VOIP phone system,
we are ready to embrace the future, maintain strong connections, and serve our
community even better.
GBV Katina Ceremony 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|