A PBX is a telephony switching system that connects an internal phone system with outside lines. If you have ever called a company or organization that requires you to enter an extension number to access specific individuals or departments, you called an organization that uses a PBX system. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows small and home-based businesses to create their own PBX systems without spending thousands of dollars on expensive trunk lines or hardware switching devices.
Instructions
1. Set up a dedicated Linux computer and connect it to the network router. Connect to the Internet and download a free PBX-VoIP server application image file. Download the installation help file for the PBX application as well. Installation procedures vary widely for installing the application, depending on which one you download.
2. Open the CD/DVD burning application on the computer. Burn the PBX image file to the blank disc. Wait for the application to eject the disc after burning the application.
3. Close the disc tray. Wait for the installation or setup utility to appear on the screen. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the PBX VoIP software on the Linux computer. Reboot the computer if prompted to do so.
4. Sign up for a "BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)" plan from a VoIP service provider. Providers like Broadvoice, Teliax and VOIP.ms offer plans for individual or small office PBX networks and allow you to use open-source software to access the VoIP gateway. Record your assigned phone number, user name, password and authentication code for later use.
5. Launch the PBX software. Open the "VoIP Settings" or "Connection Settings" window. Enter the phone number, account user name and password given to you by the VoIP service provider. Enter the authentication code in the appropriate area and save the settings.
6. Locate the "IP Settings" or "Internet Settings" section of the PBX software. Record the IP address in the "IP Address" field.
7. Connect the IP phones to router with the included RJ-45 network cables. Alternatively, install soft-phone software on all of the computers connected to the network.
8. Configure the IP phones or soft-phone software to connect to the IP address for the PBX server. Enter the IP address in the "123.555.112.477" format. Save the settings for the IP phone or soft-phone software.
9. Reboot the Linux computer. Restart the PBX VoIP server software. Allow the software to connect to the VoIP service provider and establish a connection. Use the phones or soft-phone software to place and receive calls over the Internet.
Tags: soft-phone software, Linux computer, service provider, VoIP service, VoIP service provider