PortSIP Knowledge Base
  • PortSIP Communications Solution
    • What is PortSIP?
    • The Advantages of PortSIP PBX vs. Other PBXs
    • Cloud PBX Empowering Service Providers
    • Simplifying Unified Communications with WebRTC and SIP
    • What is CPaaS? Communications Platform as a Service Explained
    • UCaaS is Unified Communications as a Service
    • PortSIP PBX Administration Guide
      • Overview
      • PortSIP Security Features
      • Summary of Changes
      • Before Started
      • 1 Installation of the PortSIP PBX
        • Installation of PortSIP PBX v22.x
          • Install PortSIP PBX on Linux
          • Install PortSIP IM Server on Linux
          • Install PortSIP PBX on Windows
          • Upgrade to the Latest Version Within v22.x on Linux
          • Upgrade to the Latest v22.x on Windows
          • Upgrade v16.x to the Latest v22.x on Linux
        • Installation of PortSIP PBX v16.x
          • Upgrade to the Latest v16.x Release
      • 2 Configuring the PortSIP PBX
      • 3 Tenant Management
        • Password and Sign-In Security
      • 4 Phone Device Management
        • Managing Phones
        • Auto Provisioning Security
        • Custom IP Phone Template
        • Bulk Importing Users and Auto Provisioning IP Phones
        • Zero Touch Provisioning Phones
        • Provision Phone Using PnP
        • PnP Auto Provisioning IP Phone Multicast Debug
        • Provision Phone Using RPS
        • Provision Phone Using DHCP Option 66
        • Provision Phone Using TFTP
        • Provisioning Cisco 79xx IP Phones
        • Provision Fanvil DECT IP Phones
        • Provision Yealink DECT IP Phones
        • Provision SNOM DECT IP Phones
        • Configuring Private RPS Account
      • 5 User Management
        • Users
        • How to Configure the Endpoints?
        • User Groups
        • DND and Automatic Callback
        • Speed Dial 8
        • Speed Dial 100
      • 6 Transport Management
      • 7 Trunk Management
        • Configuring SIP Trunk
        • Handle Outbound Calls Through SIP Trunk
      • 8 Call Route Management
        • Configuring Inbound Rule
        • Configuring Outbound Rule
      • 9 Configuring PortSIP SBC
        • Topology
        • Summary of Changes
        • Installation PortSIP SBC v11.x
        • Installation PortSIP SBC v10.x
        • Configuring PortSIP SBC for WebRTC
        • Upgrade to the Latest v11.x Release
        • Upgrade to the Latest v10.x Release
      • 10 Configuring SBC for MS Teams
        • Architecture
        • Configuring Microsoft Teams
        • Configuring SBC and PBX
        • Configure an SBC for Multiple Tenants
      • 11 Deploy the SBC Cluster
      • 12 Configuring Virtual Receptionist
        • Managing Virtual Receptionist
        • Visual IVR Editor Guide
        • Direct Inward System Access (DISA)
      • 13 Configuring Ring Group
      • 14 Call Parking
        • PortSIP Call Parking Feature
        • Using Call Parking Feature
        • Using Enhanced Call Park on Fanvil IP Phones
        • Using Enhanced Call Park on Yealink IP Phones
        • Using Enhanced Call Park on Grandstream IP Phones
        • Using Enhanced Call Park on SNOM IP Phones
        • Using Enhanced Call Park on Dinstar IP Phones
        • Using Enhanced Call Park on Htek IP Phones
      • 15 Shared Voicemail
      • 16 Call Queue
        • Configuring Call Queue
        • Configuring Queue Callback
        • Agent States and Work Modes
        • Skills-Based Routing
        • Silent Monitoring
        • Wallboards
      • 17 Roles and Permissions
      • 18 E164 Number Processing
      • 19 Billing
      • 20 CDR and Call Recordings
        • CDR
        • Call Recordings
        • CDR Field Descriptions
      • 21 Call Reports
      • 22 Dealers
      • 23 Feature Access Codes
      • 24 Call Pickup
      • 25 Meetings
        • Joining a Meeting with the Invite Link
      • 26 Hot Desking
      • 27 STIR/SHAKEN
        • Configuring STIR/SHAKEN
      • 28 Digital Engagement Channels
        • SMS Channel
        • WhatsApp Channel
        • Manage SMS/WhatsApp Message Conversations
      • 29 Integrations
        • Microsoft 365 Integration
        • Google Workspace Integration
      • 30 Office Hours and Holiday Schedule
        • Configuring Office Hours and Holiday Schedule
        • Routing Calls Based on Office Hours and Holidays
      • 31 Configuring Email Notifications
      • 32 Night Mode
      • PBX and SIP Trunk using PortSIP SBC
      • SIP Header Manipulation
      • Rebranding PortSIP PBX, SBC
      • System Service Extension Numbers
      • Certificates for TLS/HTTPS/WebRTC
        • Preparing TLS Certificates
        • Update Certificates
      • Backup and Restore: An Essential Guide
        • Backup and Restore PortSIP PBX
        • Backup and Restore PortSIP SBC
      • Storing Into AWS S3
      • Storing Into Azure Blob Storage
      • Trace Server - A Better Way to Monitoring SIP Messages and QoS for PortSIP PBX
    • Configuring SIP Trunks
      • QuestBlue SIP Trunk
        • Purchase a DID on QuestBlue Platform
        • Configuring QuestBlue IP Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring QuestBlue Register Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Outbound & Inbound Calls
        • QuestBlue SMS Integration
      • Twilio SIP Trunk
        • Purchase a DID on the Twilio
        • Configuring Twilio Register Based Trunk
        • Configuring Twilio Interconnect Trunk
        • Configuring Outbound & Inbound Calls
        • Twilio SMS Integration
      • Telnyx SIP Trunk
        • Purchase a DID on Telnyx Platform
        • Configuring Telnyx IP Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Telnyx Register Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Outbound & Inbound Calls
        • Telnyx SMS Integration
      • Vonage SIP Trunk
        • Purchase a DID on Vonage Platform
        • Configuring Vonage IP Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Vonage Register Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Outbound & Inbound Calls
        • Vonage SMS Integration
      • VoIP.ms SIP Trunk
        • Purchase a DID on VoIP.ms
        • Configuring VoIP.ms Register Based Trunk
        • Configuring Outbound & Inbound Calls
        • VoIP.ms SMS Integration
      • Voxtelesys SIP Trunk
        • Purchase a DID on Voxtelesys Platform
        • Configuring Voxtelesys IP Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Voxtelesys Register Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Outbound & Inbound Calls
        • Voxtelesys SMS Integration
      • Wavix SIP Trunk
        • Purchase a DID on Wavix Platform
        • Configuring Wavix IP Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Wavix Digest Trunk
        • Configuring Outbound & Inbound Calls
        • Wavix SMS Integration
      • VoIP Innovations SIP Trunk
        • Purchase a DID on VoIP Innovations Platform
        • Configuring VoIP Innovations IP Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Outbound & Inbound Calls
        • VoIP Innovations SMS Integration
      • Bandwidth SIP Trunk
        • Purchase a DID on Bandwidth Platform
        • Configuring Bandwidth IP Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Outbound & Inbound Calls
        • Bandwidth SMS Integration
      • Flowroute SIP Trunk
        • Purchase a DID on Flowroute Platform
        • Configuring Flowroute IP Authentication Trunk
        • Configuring Outbound & Inbound Calls
        • Flowroute SMS Integration
      • Gamma SIP Trunk
      • Aire Networks SIP Trunk
      • VoiceMeUp SIP Trunk
        • Configuring VoiceMeUp Trunk
        • VoiceMeUp SMS Integration
    • PBX Cluster (v22.x)
      • Topology
      • Preparing Cluster Servers
      • Configuring Cluster Servers
      • Managing Cluster
    • High Availability (v22.x)
      • High Availability and Sclability On-Premise
        • PortSIP PBX High Availability Architecture
        • High Availability Installations on Ubuntu
        • Upgrading High Availability Installation
        • Scaling Servers On-Premise for High Availability
        • Scaling SBC On-Premise for High Availability
        • Scaling IM Server On-Premise for High Availability
      • High Availability and Scalability on AWS
        • PortSIP PBX High Availability Architecture
        • High Availability Installations on AWS
        • Upgrading High Availability Installation
        • Increase Size of EBS Volume
        • Scaling Servers on AWS for High Availability
    • PBX Cluster(v16.x)
      • Topology
      • Preparing Cluster Servers
      • Configuring Cluster Servers
      • Managing Cluster
      • Configuring Cluster Servers for High Availability
    • High Availability (v16.x)
      • High Availability for On-Premise
        • PortSIP PBX High Availability Architecture
        • High Availability Installations on Ubuntu
        • Upgrading High Availability Installation
      • High Availability and Scalability on AWS
        • PortSIP PBX High Availability Architecture
        • High Availability Installations on AWS
        • Upgrading High Availability Installations
        • Increase Size of EBS Volume
        • Scaling Servers on AWS for HA
    • FAQ
      • Troubleshooting Call Issues
      • How to Activate License key?
      • What File Format Is Required for PortSIP PBX Prompt?
      • What is the Multi-Tenant PBX?
      • Is the PortSIP PBX built on Asterisk, FreeSwitch?
      • What is the SBC?
      • What is the PBX? Features, Benefits
      • What is Direct Inward Dialing (DID)?
      • What is the DID Pool?
      • What are IP Phones Work with PortSIP PBX?
      • Hardware Specifications
      • How to Adjust the REST API Rate Limit?
      • SIP Status Code of Response
      • What is SIP ALG and Why You Need to Disable It?
      • Essential Factors for Choosing a Could PBX Solution
      • Migrate from legacy FCM APIs to HTTP v1 for Android Push Notifications
      • PortSIP SDK License Agreement
      • PortSIP Software End-User License Agreement
  • Apps Guides
    • PortSIP ONE Desktop App
      • Sign in to PBX
      • Calls, Messages, and Voicemails
      • Customize Your Caller ID
      • SMS and WhatsApp Messaging
      • Click to Call
      • Calling from Another Device
      • Change Your Call Queue Status
    • PortSIP ONE Mobile App
      • Sign in to PBX
      • Calls, Messages, and Voicemails
      • Customize Your Caller ID
      • SMS and WhatsApp Messaging
      • Change Your Call Queue Status
    • PortSIP Softphone
  • DEVELOPING WITH PORTSIP
    • Getting Started
    • Calling APIs
      • User Manual for Windows
      • User Manual for iOS
      • User Manual for Android
      • User Manual for macOS
    • REST APIs
      • Version 22.2
        • Get Started
          • Schema
          • Authentication and Authorization
          • HTTP verbs
          • Summary Representations
          • Resource ID
          • Query Options Overview
          • Detailed representations
          • Timezones
          • API Response
          • Error Handling
          • Resource Synchronization
          • Personal Contacts Synchronization
        • Authentication
        • Administrations
        • Extensions
        • Authentication
        • Tenants
        • Call Queues
        • Billing
        • CTI
        • Call Sessions
        • Call Detail Records
        • Conference
        • Contact
        • Emergency Numbers
        • Extensions
        • Files
        • Blobs
        • Trunks
        • Inbound Rules
        • Outbound rules
        • Virtual Receptionists
        • Media Server
        • MOH
        • Automatic Callback
        • Auto Provisioning
        • Push Notification
        • Ring Groups
        • Shared Voicemails
        • Security
        • Feature Access Codes
        • Voicemails
        • Call Park
        • Call Pickup
        • Hot Desking
        • External Message
        • Notification
        • Troubleshooting
        • Microsoft 365
        • Models
      • Version 22.1
        • About
        • API reference
          • Info
          • Login
            • By microsoft
          • Logout
          • Network
          • Sbc
            • Token
              • Destroy
          • Im
            • Token
              • Destroy
          • Dealers
            • Password
            • Destroy
          • Mobile push
            • Destroy
          • Ip filters
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Transports
            • Destroy
            • Status
          • Tenants
            • Switch
            • Dealers
              • Destroy
            • Destroy
          • Tenant
            • Status
            • Notification
              • Test email
            • Password policy
            • Billing
            • Balance
            • Custom headers
          • Conference servers
            • Status
            • Destroy
          • Media servers
            • Status
            • Destroy
          • License
          • Key
          • Brand
          • Dealer
            • Status
            • Username
            • Password
          • Roles
            • Destroy
          • User
            • Password
            • Extension password
            • Profile
            • Status
            • Presence
            • Balance
            • Greetings
              • Enable
              • Disable
              • Destroy
            • Phones
              • Destroy
            • Cdrs
              • Sync tokens
                • Diff
            • External messages
            • Recordings
              • Destroy
            • Speed dial 8
              • Destroy
            • Speed dial 100
              • Destroy
            • Meetings
              • Destroy
              • Status
              • Mute
              • Unmute
              • Lock
              • Unlock
              • Start
              • Stop
              • Start recording
              • Stop recording
              • Participants
                • Layout
                • Invite
                • Mute
                • Unmute
                • Chairman
                • Position
                • Destroy
            • Holidays
              • Destroy
            • Global holidays
            • Contacts
              • Favorite
              • Unfavorite
              • Destroy
              • Sync tokens
                • Diff
            • Call queues
              • Agent
            • Outbound caller ids
            • Ring groups
            • Business contacts
              • Favorite
              • Unfavorite
              • Sync tokens
                • Diff
            • Extension contacts
              • Favorite
              • Unfavorite
              • Sync tokens
                • Diff
          • Users
            • Profile
            • Password
            • Extension password
            • Role
            • Ms365 binding
              • Destroy
            • Destroy
            • Status
              • Destroy status
            • Balance
            • Greetings
              • Enable
              • Disable
              • Destroy
            • Phones
              • Destroy
            • Holidays
              • Destroy
            • Global holidays
            • Call queues
              • Agent
            • Speed dial 8
              • Destroy
            • Speed dial 100
              • Destroy
          • Extension numbers
          • Groups
            • Destroy
            • Members
              • Destroy
          • Voicemails
            • Set read
            • Set unread
            • Destroy
          • Recordings
            • Destroy
          • Call queue servers
            • Status
            • Destroy
          • Call queues
            • Status
            • Destroy
            • Waiting
              • Pickup
            • Agents
          • Exclusive numbers
            • Destroy
            • Call queues
              • Agents
              • Destroy
            • Export
          • Vip numbers
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Call queue blacklisted numbers
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Call queue blacklist prompts
          • Sessions
            • Directly
            • Hold
            • Unhold
            • Refer
            • Attended refer
            • Destroy
          • Conference rooms
            • Destroy
            • Status
            • Mute
            • Unmute
            • Lock
            • Unlock
            • Start recording
            • Stop recording
            • Participants
              • Layout
              • Invite
              • Mute
              • Unmute
              • Chairman
              • Position
              • Destroy
            • Recordings
              • Destroy
              • Set read
              • Set unread
          • Contacts
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Emergency numbers
            • Destroy
          • Files
            • Destroy
          • Blobs
            • Uploads
              • Append
              • Complete
              • Status
              • Destroy
          • Inbound rules
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Moh server
            • Musics
              • Destroy
          • Monitor
          • Monitor groups
            • Destroy
            • Members
              • Destroy
            • Managers
              • Destroy
          • Call park
          • Call park groups
            • Destroy
            • Members
              • Destroy
          • Call pickup groups
            • Destroy
            • Members
          • Voicemail
          • Acb
          • Outbound rules
            • Destroy
            • Export
            • Applied groups
              • Destroy
          • Phone models
          • Phones
            • Reprovision
            • Assignee
            • Reboot
            • Reject
          • Dect phone models
          • Dect phones
            • Destroy
            • Members
          • Providers
            • Status
            • Destroy
            • Export
            • Assignees
              • Destroy
          • Ring groups
            • Agents
            • Destroy
          • Shared voicemails
            • Destroy
            • Voicemails
              • Set read
              • Set unread
              • Destroy
            • Greetings
              • Enable
              • Disable
              • Destroy
          • Holidays
            • Destroy
          • Allowed country codes
          • Disallowed codes
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Blacklisted numbers
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Call rates
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Ivr servers
            • Status
            • Destroy
          • Ivrs
            • Status
            • Destroy
            • Action urls
              • Destroy
          • Hotdesking
            • Status
            • Logout
            • Destroy
          • Sms
            • Destroy
          • Whatsapp
            • Destroy
          • Cdrs
          • Calllogs
          • External messages
          • Call reports
            • Destroy
          • Completed call reports
            • Destroy
          • Feature access codes
          • Default email templates
          • Custom email templates
          • Audit logs
          • Event logs
          • Ms365
            • Certificate
            • Users
          • Google
          • Admin
            • Status
            • Username
            • Password
            • Settings
            • Notification
              • Test email
            • Ms365
              • Certificate
            • Google
          • Templates
            • Phones
              • Destroy
        • Specification
      • Version 22.0
        • About
        • API reference
          • Info
          • Login
            • By microsoft
          • Logout
          • Network
          • Sbc
            • Token
              • Destroy
          • Im
            • Token
              • Destroy
          • Dealers
            • Password
            • Destroy
          • Mobile push
            • Destroy
          • Ip filters
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Transports
            • Destroy
            • Status
          • Tenants
            • Switch
            • Dealers
              • Destroy
            • Destroy
          • Tenant
            • Status
            • Notification
            • Password policy
            • Billing
            • Balance
            • Custom headers
          • Conference servers
            • Status
            • Destroy
          • Media servers
            • Status
            • Destroy
          • License
          • Key
          • Brand
          • Dealer
            • Status
            • Username
            • Password
          • Roles
            • Destroy
          • User
            • Password
            • Extension password
            • Profile
            • Status
            • Presence
            • Balance
            • Greetings
              • Enable
              • Disable
              • Destroy
            • Phones
              • Destroy
            • Cdrs
              • Sync tokens
                • Diff
            • Recordings
              • Destroy
            • Speed dial 8
              • Destroy
            • Speed dial 100
              • Destroy
            • Meetings
              • Destroy
              • Status
              • Mute
              • Unmute
              • Lock
              • Unlock
              • Start
              • Stop
              • Start recording
              • Stop recording
              • Participants
                • Layout
                • Invite
                • Mute
                • Unmute
                • Chairman
                • Position
                • Destroy
            • Holidays
              • Destroy
            • Global holidays
            • Contacts
              • Favorite
              • Unfavorite
              • Destroy
              • Sync tokens
                • Diff
            • Call queues
              • Agent
            • Outbound caller ids
            • Ring groups
            • Business contacts
              • Favorite
              • Unfavorite
              • Sync tokens
                • Diff
            • Extension contacts
              • Favorite
              • Unfavorite
              • Sync tokens
                • Diff
          • Users
            • Profile
            • Password
            • Extension password
            • Role
            • Ms365 binding
              • Destroy
            • Destroy
            • Status
              • Destroy status
            • Balance
            • Greetings
              • Enable
              • Disable
              • Destroy
            • Phones
              • Destroy
            • Holidays
              • Destroy
            • Global holidays
            • Call queues
              • Agent
            • Speed dial 8
              • Destroy
            • Speed dial 100
              • Destroy
          • Extension numbers
          • Groups
            • Destroy
            • Members
              • Destroy
          • Voicemails
            • Set read
            • Set unread
            • Destroy
          • Recordings
            • Destroy
          • Call queue servers
            • Status
            • Destroy
          • Call queues
            • Status
            • Destroy
            • Waiting
              • Pickup
            • Agents
          • Exclusive numbers
            • Destroy
            • Call queues
              • Agents
              • Destroy
            • Export
          • Vip numbers
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Call queue blacklisted numbers
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Call queue blacklist prompts
          • Sessions
            • Directly
            • Hold
            • Unhold
            • Refer
            • Attended refer
            • Destroy
          • Conference rooms
            • Destroy
            • Status
            • Mute
            • Unmute
            • Lock
            • Unlock
            • Start recording
            • Stop recording
            • Participants
              • Layout
              • Invite
              • Mute
              • Unmute
              • Chairman
              • Position
              • Destroy
            • Recordings
              • Destroy
              • Set read
              • Set unread
          • Contacts
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Emergency numbers
            • Destroy
          • Files
            • Destroy
          • Blobs
            • Uploads
              • Append
              • Complete
              • Status
              • Destroy
          • Inbound rules
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Moh server
            • Musics
              • Destroy
          • Monitor
          • Monitor groups
            • Destroy
            • Members
              • Destroy
            • Managers
              • Destroy
          • Call park
          • Call park groups
            • Destroy
            • Members
              • Destroy
          • Call pickup groups
            • Destroy
            • Members
          • Voicemail
          • Acb
          • Outbound rules
            • Destroy
            • Export
            • Applied groups
              • Destroy
          • Phone models
          • Phones
            • Reprovision
            • Assignee
            • Reboot
            • Reject
          • Dect phone models
          • Dect phones
            • Destroy
            • Members
          • Providers
            • Status
            • Destroy
            • Export
            • Assignees
              • Destroy
          • Ring groups
            • Agents
            • Destroy
          • Shared voicemails
            • Destroy
            • Voicemails
              • Set read
              • Set unread
              • Destroy
            • Greetings
              • Enable
              • Disable
              • Destroy
          • Holidays
            • Destroy
          • Allowed country codes
          • Disallowed codes
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Blacklisted numbers
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Call rates
            • Destroy
            • Export
          • Ivr servers
            • Status
            • Destroy
          • Ivrs
            • Status
            • Destroy
            • Action urls
              • Destroy
          • Hotdesking
            • Status
            • Logout
            • Destroy
          • Sms
            • Destroy
          • Whatsapp
            • Destroy
          • Cdrs
          • Call reports
            • Destroy
          • Completed call reports
            • Destroy
          • Feature access codes
          • Default email templates
          • Custom email templates
          • Audit logs
          • Event logs
          • Test email
          • Ms365
            • Certificate
            • Users
          • Admin
            • Status
            • Username
            • Password
            • Settings
            • Notification
          • Templates
            • Phones
              • Destroy
        • Specification
      • Authentication
      • Accessing CDRs and Recordings
    • Call Control APIs
    • Messaging APIs
      • Protocol
      • API Examples
    • WSI: Pub/Sub
    • Webhook Events
      • Registering a Webhook
      • Receiving Events via a Webhook
      • Event Reference
    • Mobile Push Notifications
      • How Do Push Notifications Work with PortSIP PBX?
      • Integrating the Push Notifications in Native iOS APP
      • Integrating the Push Notifications in Android APP
  • PBX v12.x (EOL)
    • PortSIP PBX v12.x is EOL
    • High Availability
      • PortSIP PBX High Availability
      • UCaaS High Availability
      • Deploy the PortSIP PBX HA on AWS
      • Deploy PortSIP PBX HA for CentOS
      • Deploy PortSIP PBX HA for Ubuntu
      • Migrate the HA data
    • Push Notifications
      • How do push notifications work with PortSIP PBX?
      • Implement the PUSH notifications in Xamarin iOS APP with PortSIP PBX 12.x
      • Implement the PUSH notifications in native iOS APP with PortSIP PBX 12.x
      • Implement PUSH notifications in Android APP with PortSIP PBX 12.x
      • Implement PUSH notifications in Xamarin Android APP with PortSIP PBX 12.x
    • Tutorials
      • REST API Examples
      • Trace server - A Better Way to Debug PortSIP UC
      • Setup SSL Certificates for HTTPS/WebRTC
      • Going Real-Time with PortSIP PBX Pub/Sub
      • Upgrade PortSIP PBX for offline
      • PortSIP UC Architecture
      • PortSIP PBX Features
      • PortSIP Security Feature
      • Hardware Specifications
      • Setup PortSIP PBX for Linux
      • Upgrade PortSIP PBX
      • Upgrade PortSIP PBX v12.x to the v12.8.7
      • Add Extended Media Server
      • Store the recording files to AWS S3
      • Configure Notifications for Kubernetes
      • Rebranding PortSIP PBX
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On this page
  • What Is a PBX (Private Branch Exchange)?
  • The purpose of a PBX
  • Reasons To Use a PBX
  • Types of PBX Phone Systems
  • Analog or Traditional PBX
  • Internet Protocol PBX (IP PBX)
  • Cloud PBX
  • What To Look For in a PBX System
  • Your Company’s Needs
  • Your Business Environment
  • Your Company’s Strength
  • Your Budget
  • PortSIP PBX Solution Has Your Back
  1. PortSIP Communications Solution
  2. FAQ

What is the PBX? Features, Benefits

PreviousWhat is the SBC?NextWhat is Direct Inward Dialing (DID)?

Last updated 9 months ago

PBX, short for Private Branch Exchange, which is a private telephone network used within a company or organization. More and more modern companies are opting for

PBX (or Private Branch Exchange) systems revolutionized business telephone services back in the midcentury, allowing businesses to make calls internally between employees in the office.

Today, PBX has changed a ton—and as we’ll see later, has been overtaken by new advancements (and acronyms) in telephony, namely VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, cloud PBX, and UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) platforms that allow you to make phone calls over the internet.

No hardware, no landlines, no server rooms.

This guide breaks down all the essentials you need to know about modern PBX solutions. Even if you’ve never managed a PBX before, you can jump around to the parts that matter to you.

What Is a PBX (Private Branch Exchange)?

A provides businesses with the necessary functions and features exclusive to business requirements instead of a residential landline or mobile phone, for example. Some of those features might include the ability to manage multiple inbound or outbound calls, offer individual extensions for employees, auto attendants and general business call management features, which would be surplus to requirements in a residential or mobile system. Different types of PBX use different communications channels, including and integrated services digital network (ISDN).

These business telephone systems are specifically designed to meet the needs of the modern business in connecting it with the outside world and are differentiated from residential services on account of the features they have the propensity for. Typical PBX features include call routing, call queuing, conference calling, auto attendants, and hold music capabilities, among many other functions, as well as simply making and taking phone calls.

The purpose of a PBX

The primary purpose of a PBX is to serve as a business phone system.

It allows for the internal management of phone calls within a smaller area, such as an office or business. A PBX can handle features like voicemail, auto attendants, and recorded messages, providing a comprehensive phone system for the organization.

In contrast, the PSTN is a public phone network that connects calls between different providers and handles the routing of calls on a larger scale. It’s not specifically designed for internal business phone systems like a PBX.

PBX systems empower IT leaders to maintain their existing devices with an all-digital backbone by assigning different business phone numbers to different extensions. Alternatively, a blends the best of both worlds with a fully managed phone system deployment.

Now that we know the purpose of a Private Branch Exchange, let’s learn about the benefits of a modern PBX for business communications.

Reasons To Use a PBX

Businesses that use PBX enjoy benefits ranging from advanced calling features to wider connectivity and security. Businesses large and small enjoy the impressive capabilities of a PBX. Here are the top reasons why businesses use a PBX

  • Call management – Manage and complete calls on a pre-programmed schedule. For example, a medical office could route after-hours calls to an answering service. Operators can restrict or permit international dialing as needed to avoid high costs.

  • Call transfer – Easily transfer calls between users and departments without dropping the call. This is especially useful for customer support and sales teams.

  • Custom greetings – Record customized greetings and hold music to create a professional image and alert customers to promotions or issues.

  • Call centers – PBX systems enable call center functionality to manage inbound/outbound calls and distribute them to agents. A cloud PBX can scale to handle high call volumes.

  • Multi-location connectivity – Connect multiple offices on the same phone system so employees can communicate seamlessly across locations.

  • Reporting & analytics – Many modern PBX systems provide detailed reporting on call activity, agent performance, and more. This data helps businesses optimize their communications.

  • Unified communications – A PBX can integrate with other communication channels like video conferencing, chat, and email to provide a seamless user experience.

  • Modern features - The modern PBX provides new technology such as the WebRTC, sharing, and video meetings that increase mobility and productivity.

  • Cost savings – VoIP-based PBX systems can significantly reduce costs compared to traditional phone lines. Businesses only need an internet connection instead of a separate voice infrastructure.

Types of PBX Phone Systems

Private branch exchange is available to serve different business communication needs. For instance, the system operates on-site and in the cloud to provide both traditional and improved telephony experience. Below are the types you should consider for your business.

Analog or Traditional PBX

An analog PBX system is installed at your business location. The intra-office system connects plain old telephone service (POTS) lines to a public switched telephone network (PTSN).

The analog PBX phone system provides basic telephony service, allowing you to make and receive phone calls and faxes between company employees. It requires installing copper phone lines and other hardware. You’ll also need to add new telephone wires and jacks to add more employees to the network. And to make external calls, you’ll have to pay for additional phone lines.

On-premises analog PBX connects your employees, but it doesn’t offer modern-day features such as multimedia services, voice mail conversion to email, and remote working capabilities.

Internet Protocol PBX (IP PBX)

Also called VoIP PBX, this PBX system is an improved version of analog PBX. It provides more features and allows connectivity between multiple locations. VoIP or IP PBX uses the internet protocol (IP) to link office-networked phones and converts voice to data, which reaches the receiver as voice. IP PBX provides access to unified communications features such as messaging, video conferencing, and “bring your own device” (BYOD) mobility, which analog PBX systems lack.

Internet protocol PBX uses session initiation protocol (SIP) trunking to run a phone service on your office network, thereby allowing teams to communicate with each other and outside clients over the Internet. All you’ll need to do to get your IP PBX running is set up your SIP trunk with a provider and create a small physical space for data pockets, where your call data is stored.

Cloud PBX

Also known as virtual or hosted PBX, cloud PBX uses internet protocol technology to enable you to make and receive calls without on-site equipment. The setup is quick—buy the service and plug in your phones. The service provider routes incoming and outgoing calls through data packets or a public switched telephone network.

Cloud PBX allows you to manage your devices from your web browser. You can control all call forwarding, call routing, call recording, music holding, and auto attendants from anywhere.

What To Look For in a PBX System

While all PBX solutions will enhance your communications and grow your business, choosing one that suits your business’s exact communication needs is important. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a PBX system for your company.

Your Company’s Needs

Cloud PBX systems offer more features than on-premises types, so if you need advanced functionality such as call reports, video conferencing, mobile extensions, and CRM integration, you should go for a cloud PBX system. But if all you need are standard call features such as call transfers, ring groups, and auto attendant, you’ll do fine with an on-premises PBX solution.

Your Business Environment

If you work from a single office, an on-premises PBX system will be better for you. However, if your employees work from home or are usually on the field, you should choose a cloud PBX system. Also, cloud PBX systems are more suitable for small to medium-sized businesses, while on-premises PBX systems suit larger enterprises.

Your Company’s Strength

To know which PBX phone system your business needs, examine your knowledge of telephony concepts, how skilled your IT staff are, which systems you’ll need to integrate, and your access to a strong internet connection. For instance, you’ll need a reliable high-speed internet connection to run a cloud PBX system, whereas you’ll only need phone lines to run a traditional PBX system.

Your Budget

PBX systems come with upfront and ongoing costs, ranging from installation to maintenance. For example, cloud PBX systems majorly require monthly subscription fees, while on-premises PBX will cost you hardware, installation, and licensing fees and often require replacement after some years. Also, VoIP PBX allows you to add and remove lines for free, while analog configuration requires a physical installation and extra payment on additional lines. To find out how much a PBX type will cost you and if your company can afford it.

PortSIP PBX Solution Has Your Back

is a software-based multi-tenant PBX that offers business collaboration solutions, it’s designed for both on-premise and cloud PBX environments, including SBC, audio, video calling, Instant Messaging, presence, rich text chat, Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, WebRTC, sharing screen, sending file, picture, voice, and video messages, and mobile push notifications.

integrates contact center features that help you satisfy the most demanding of customers. Integrated the free SBC to support Microsoft Teams Direct Routing and free video meeting, at no extra cost, share your screen for presentations & online meeting room.

The PortSIP PBX also includes , , and , allowing the service provider to host the cloud PBX service.

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