If you run a call centre, or group of call taking agents, then one really useful feature is being able to listen in on their calls. This can be useful for training or for a supervisor to provide assistance. This is possible with FreePBX, but not very elegant, as the only built in solution is to use Asterisk’s ChanSpy feature. The default feature code for this is ‘555’ and it allows you to cycle through the active channels.
If so how can admins monitor their systems without Flash Operator Panel? Bruce_ferguson 2012-11-08 16:22:02 UTC #2 I am far from an expert here, but we have tried FOP2 which you may like.
Not very flexible. FreePBX comes with a program called ‘Flash Operator Panel’ (FOP) by default which can be used to visualise the active calls, but again this is not very flexible. However, there is a new version of FOP, called FOP2, and this can be used to solve the call listening problem. FOP2 is a web based interface that shows you the configured and active extensions. Here is a screenshot – There is a menu bar that allows you to transfer a call, listen to an in-progress call and also record an in-progress call. All really good stuff. You can also see the active trunks and conferences – There is also a FreePBX module for FOP2 that allows you to create and manage FOP2 users and permissions.
If you would like FOP2 installing on your SysAdminMan VPS there is a one-off charge of £30 for the installation. The free version of FOP2 is limited to 15 extensions. If you need more you can but a license for $40. See here for more information –.
Steevo wrote: Hey, Kevin - FreePBX is cool but Elastix is even a step ahead. Elastix (open source) utilizes FreePBX and the open source Asterisk. I deployed it this year for 125 phones and so far, it has been excellent. I've not used FreePBX by itself, but as part of Elastix, it works very, very well. I'm running 4 sites out of a single Elastix VM at my main site and have not had any issues. If you're looking to get started with an Asterisk PBX, Elastix is not difficult to learn and can be installed in minutes.
You can use pretty much any SIP phone you want. You'll also find a pretty large following of folks here in the community that run Elastix. Some people will balk at the technicalities involved in doing auto-provisioning with phones and Elastix. It can be done but does take some work to get going. I wouldn't go there unless you have an extremely large environment because manually setting up a phone is so easy. I've not used FreeSwitch. Jim Kubicek wrote: Elastix is the way to go if you're considering FreePBX.
Elastix is quick to setup and works well with a variety of SIP providers and phones. I personally like the PBX in a Flash distro for myself, but I never recommend it for a client. I recommend Elastix for people with little/no on site IT staff. Like Elastix, it uses FreePBX to manage the Asterisk part of the system. I setup FreeSwitch once a couple years ago and can barely recall anything about it. I did not give it a fair trial. JUST TO CLARIFY:.
FreePBX is essentially a GUI for Asterisk itself. The confusion lies with their introduction of their own distro. There are many distributions based on FreePBX (i.e. PBX in a Flash, AsteriskNow, Elastix, etc.).
Elastix adds another GUI on top of the one presented by FreePBX. They do this because of the added bundled software (Openfire IM, email server, etc.) I think less is more for your PBX myself. I would keep the other parts seperate. Most of the other Distros tend to be more 'native' using the FreePBX GUI. However, FreePBX has (or was developing) a project in the works (version 3??) to expand the GUI to work with FreeSwitch. (see note here: ) So really, you are asking for comparison between Asterisk to FreeSwitch. Asterisk has been around for a long time and is pretty battle tested.
I agree with jcLAMBERT - I have been using FreePBX for a number of years now for our call center. I have used Schmoozecom's support option once, many years ago, because I did a 'restore' but it didn't really work. (I was upgrading hardware from a temporary desktop box to a production server - and they have since fixed the restore feature in the FreePBX distro) The tech was not the friendliest person, but he did get it up and running within an hour.
I have since upgraded to the latest version of their software, and we're starting to buy some of their commercial modules. I recommend purchasing the Endpoint Manager ($50) to manage all your hard phone extensions because the included one is not wonderful. Don't start by using the free one and then switch later - because you have to re-create all your settings.
I have never used Elastix. But I can say that we have brought up a new phone system on FreePBX within a few hours. Some notes:. If possible, put your phones on a different network.
You will never have to worry about QoS this way. The FreePBX server can (conveniently) act as a DHCP server. You have to be somewhat familiar with CentOS (linux - redhat style) to configure this option, but there are guides out there.
FOP2 (Flash Operator Panel 2) is an excellent add-on for receptionists, and any team that needs to see the call queue or who is on the phone. It is well worth the cost, and I recommend paying them to install it, too. Also works GREAT for monitoring individual extensions in a call-center type environment.
Grandstream GXW42 16/24/32/48 port analog gateways work well for fax machines and analog extensions. I don't know whether they have improved their firmware since the last version of the product, but don't expect to change config without rebooting the unit. If you must use T1/PRI lines, do NOT go for the cheap cards!!! Go for the Sangoma cards with echo cancellation built-in! They are expensive, but absolutely worth it! Also, knowing the distance of your cable run to the NIU is important for the configuration. Found that one out the hard way!.
Don't put a Sonicwall firewall in front of any SIP phone system. Or behind it! I have had horrible luck with Sonicwall dropping packets, and tech support has not been very helpful. To reduce the points of failure, I just use IPTABLES on the FreePBX itself, and wrote my own firewall rules into it. CoryHamma wrote:. FOP2 (Flash Operator Panel 2) is an excellent add-on for receptionists, and any team that needs to see the call queue or who is on the phone.
It is well worth the cost, and I recommend paying them to install it, too. Also works GREAT for monitoring individual extensions in a call-center type environment. FOP2 is greatness! Don't forget about the admin modules for it in FreePBX that allow you to give permissions granularly based on a user's extension and control who can see what extension / group of extensions, who can see queues, conference rooms, who can whisper in on another call, etc. Don't put a Sonicwall firewall in front of any SIP phone system. Or behind it!
I have had horrible luck with Sonicwall dropping packets, and tech support has not been very helpful. To reduce the points of failure, I just use IPTABLES on the FreePBX itself, and wrote my own firewall rules into it. My VoIP branches out to CenturyLink via PRI.
So it bypasses the Sonicwall NSA devices. However, I have used a softphone to connect when I am out of the office over VPN.
No real sound quality issues for me. Of course it could be pure luck or just the fact it is only 1 endpoint.
And Yes SANGOMA rocks!