Preparing Cluster Servers

This section describes how to prepare Linux servers for deploying the following PortSIP PBX cluster application servers:

  • Media Servers

  • Queue Servers (ACD)

  • Meeting Servers

  • IVR Servers

  • Instant Messaging (IM) Server

  • DataFlow Server

Proper system preparation is critical to ensure system stability, performance, and predictable behavior in clustered PBX deployments.

Supported Linux Operating Systems

The following 64-bit Linux distributions are officially supported:

  • Ubuntu 22.04

  • Ubuntu 24.04

  • Debian 12

⚠️ Only 64-bit operating systems are supported.

Network Requirements

When deploying a PBX cluster, ensure sufficient network bandwidth and low latency between all cluster nodes.

  • High-quality, low-latency network connectivity between servers is mandatory

  • Insufficient bandwidth or unstable network conditions may cause:

    • Call drops

    • Media quality issues

    • Queue and meeting instability

    • Unexpected PBX behavior

For production environments, PortSIP strongly recommends deploying all cluster servers within the same data center or high-speed private network.

Preparing the Linux Host Machine

The following tasks must be completed before installing any PortSIP PBX cluster server.

System and Network Configuration

  • Ensure the system date and time are correctly synchronized (NTP enabled)

  • If the server is deployed on a LAN, configure a static private IP address

  • For Media Servers handling Internet calls, configure a static public IP address for each media server

  • Verify proper DNS resolution and hostname configuration

Operating System Preparation

  • Install all available OS updates and security patches before proceeding

  • Do not install PostgreSQL on the server (PortSIP PBX includes and manages its own database services)

  • Disable all power-saving features for:

    • CPU

    • Disk

    • Network adapters

    Set the system to High-Performance mode to avoid real-time media issues

Software and Role Restrictions

To prevent conflicts and performance issues:

  • ❌ Do not install TeamViewer, VPN clients, or similar remote-access software

  • ❌ Do not configure the server as a DNS or DHCP server

  • ❌ Avoid installing unnecessary background services or monitoring agents

These restrictions ensure deterministic performance and reduce latency for real-time voice and media workloads.

Setting Up the Docker Environment

PortSIP PBX cluster services are deployed using Docker. The Docker environment must be prepared on each cluster server.

Run the following steps on each server.

Step 1: Download the Initialization Script

Run the following commands on each server:

This script prepares the system for Docker installation and performs prerequisite checks.

Step 2: Install Docker and Docker Compose

Run the following commands on each server:

If you are prompted with a message similar to:

  • Enter Y

  • Press Enter to continue

This installs Docker and Docker Compose using PortSIP-validated settings.

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