Configuring Outbound Rule

Creating Outbound Rules

An outbound rule determines which SIP trunk is used to place outbound calls. The PBX evaluates outbound rules based on criteria such as:

• The extension or user placing the call

• The dialed number or its prefix

• The length of the dialed number

• The extension group to which the caller belongs

Outbound rules allow you to control call routing for scenarios such as least-cost routing, carrier failover, and policy-based call control.

Procedure: Add an outbound rule

1. Sign in to the PortSIP PBX Web Portal.

2. Go to Call Manager > Outbound Rules, then click Add.

3. Enter a Name for the outbound rule.

4. Configure the rule priority:

   • Priority Set the priority value for the rule.

     • A lower number indicates a higher priority.

     • If a call matches multiple outbound rules, the rule with the highest priority (lowest number) is applied.

     • If multiple rules share the same priority, any one of those rules may be selected.

5. Select the Routing Strategy:

   • Prioritized The PBX attempts to place the call using the trunks in the configured order. If the call fails on the first trunk, the PBX automatically tries the next trunk.

   • Randomly The PBX selects a trunk at random from the configured list. If the call fails, the PBX randomly selects another trunk.

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Specify outbound rule conditions

In the Apply this rule to the following calls section, define when this outbound rule applies. You can use one or more of the following conditions:

• Calls to numbers starting with prefix Apply the rule to calls that begin with specific prefixes. Example: 00;123;88

• Calls from extension(s) Apply the rule to a specific extension or a range of extensions. Example: 100–120

• Calls to numbers with certain digits Apply the rule based on the total number of digits in the dialed number. Example: 8;10;12 (matches 8-, 10-, or 12-digit numbers)

• Calls from extension group(s) Apply the rule to specific extension groups instead of individual extensions.

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Route outbound calls

In the Make outbound calls on section, select up to six trunks that the PBX can use for this rule.

• Prioritized strategy Calls are sent to trunks in the configured order. If a call fails, the PBX tries the next trunk in the list.

• Random strategy Calls are sent to a randomly selected trunk. If the call fails, another trunk is selected at random.

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Transform numbers (optional)

Before routing the call to the selected trunk, you can modify the dialed number:

• Strip digits Removes a specified number of digits from the beginning of the called number. Example: Strip 00 from 002345, resulting in 2345.

• Prepend digits Adds digits to the beginning of the called number. Example: Prepend +44 to 002345, resulting in +442345.

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Outbound Caller ID

• Outbound Caller ID Specify the caller ID presented to the called party for outbound calls routed through this rule.

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Office Hours for Outbound Rules

PortSIP PBX allows the Tenant Admin to control when outbound rules are active by applying office hours and holidays. If an outbound call is placed outside the configured office hours or during a holiday, the PBX blocks the outbound rule and prevents the call from being routed.

Office Hours

Use the Office Hours tab within the outbound rule to define when outbound calls are permitted.

• The PBX evaluates the current time against the configured office hours to determine whether the outbound rule can be applied.

• If the current time falls outside the specified office hours, the outbound call will fail, even if all other rule conditions are met.

You can choose one of the following options:

• Use default Global Office Hours The outbound rule follows the global office hours configured by the Tenant Admin.

• Use specific Office Hours The outbound rule uses custom office hours defined specifically for this rule, overriding the global schedule.

Holidays

You can also apply holiday restrictions to outbound rules by selecting one or more holidays from the tenant’s Global Holiday List.

• During selected holidays, the outbound rule is blocked, and outbound calls are not routed.

• Holiday restrictions apply regardless of office-hour settings.

Allow outbound calls at all times

If you do not want to block outbound calls at any time:

• Do not select any holidays, and

• Configure office hours to cover all days and all times.

This ensures the outbound rule remains active continuously.

For more information about configuring schedules, see Office Hours and Holiday Schedule.