Introduction to FreePBX

In order to establish an Internet telephony system over IP for communication purpose within the enterprise we are using FreePBX.

FreePBX is a web-based open source GUI (graphical user interface) that controls and manages Asterisk (PBX), a voice over IP server.

As we know, Asterisk is an open source framework for building communications applications. Using Asterisk we can make an ordinary computer into a communications server. Asterisk is a software implementation of a telephone private branch exchange (PBX), it allows attached telephones to make calls to one another, and to connect to other telephone services, such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. It is used by small businesses, large businesses, call centres, carriers and government agencies, worldwide.

A PBX (private branch exchange) is a telephone system within an enterprise that switches calls between enterprise users on local lines while allowing all users to share a certain number of external phone lines.

FreePBX is a web/php based asterisk management tool alone, where Asterisk is a software. These two together provide a complete communication system for internet telephony. If we looked into Asterisk, we know that it doesn’t come with any “built in” programming. We can’t plug a phone into it and make it work without editing configuration files, writing dial plans, and various messing about. It is very easy with GUI to assign/remove extensions, configure trunks etc.

FreePBX is a full-featured PBX web application. FreePBX simplifies this by giving us pre-programmed functionality accessible by a user-friendly web interfaces that allows us to have a fully functional PBX pretty much straight away with no programming required. Some of the features that FreePBX supports are:

•  Add or change extension and voicemail accounts in seconds.
• Route incoming calls based on time-of-day.
• Supports all Asterisk supported trunk technologies.
• Create interactive Digital Receptionist (IVR) menus.
• Upload custom on-hold music (MOH).
• Backup and Restore your system.
•  Save audio recordings of calls.
•  View call detail reporting with asterisk-stat.
• View extension and trunk status.
•  View conversation recordings with Asterisk Recording Interface (ARI)

And many more..

Is FreePBX supported on Windows?

FreePBX will run in a virtual machine under windows or windows virtual PC only.You can access FreePBX from a Windows OS machine via Firefox. FreePBX is web based Asterisk management system.Since it is web based, almost any OS can access a FreePBX system. But, it’s always a Linux box of some flavor. As, FreePBX is GUI to configure Asterisk, Freepbx by itself does nothing. Asterisk does not run under windows.

Compatible OS:

• Macintosh
• Linux
• Windows(VMware)

Before continuing, you should have a basic understanding of the following technologies:

•  Linux
•  Asterisk
•  FreePBX
•  PHP

FreePBX Running Environment:

FreePBX works in concert with Asterisk, MySQL, Apache, PHP and a host of other applications to create a full featured Open Source PBX. It is not just an application but an environment.

These all are part of FreePBX introduction, will get back with freePBX Configuration in my next blogs…

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