Installing Linux's Version of Vodia's IP PBX on AWS
Published on:
February 25, 2020
Vodia’s IP PBX system can be installed on 32- or 64-bit versions of CentOS, Debian and FreeBSD, with 64-bit recommended for optimal performance. During installation, users can configure port settings to avoid conflicts with other services, establish firewall rules and activate the license key via an initial internet connection. Once installed, administrators can manage the system through Linux commands, update via the web interface and even deploy on AWS for cloud-based setups. Detailed video tutorials are available to guide users through configurations like firewall settings and IP routing for smooth audio quality.
Currently, we are supporting CentOS 32- and 64-bit, Debian 32- and 64-bit and FreeBSD 64-bit versions. For new installations, we strongly recommend 64-bit operating systems. We recommend you make yourself familiar with Linux before installing the system.
In many installations, there is a service running on the standard HTTP ports (80 and 443). If you wish to continue running the service on the host, you need to assign different ports to the PBX. You can do this by editing the script /etc/init.d/pbx and adding "--http-port x" and "--https-port y" the OPTIONS variable.
The PBX needs to have access to the public Internet (https://vodia.com) for activation of the license key and for installing software updates. After the PBX has been activated and is operative, this connection isn't required anymore.
Installation
To start the installation, you need to be logged in as a system administrator to a shell (typically bash).
Download and run the install script for your operating system. Before running the install script, edit the install script and read the comments. You may choose to install different languages and make other modifications to the installation script that fit your purpose.
If you need to write a pidfile, you may do so by editing the OPTIONS variable in the installation script. You need to add "--pidfile <filename>" to the list of options.
The script will figure out automatically if you need to install 32- or 64-bit versions.
Please note you will have to configure your firewall (iptables). On CentOS6.3 and above, we needed to change the iptables setup; in Debian6 it worked without changes. Otherwise, you won't be able to access the web interface of the PBX and register phones.
After the installation you can check if the PBX is running using the following command:
ps -C pbxctrl
You can restart the service using the following command:
/etc/init.d/pbx restart
Software Updates
Once the service is installed, you can update the software through the web interface. The procedure is the same for all operating systems. It is important the executable has the name "pbxctrl" and can be moved and deleted by the PBX process.
Uninstalling the Software
You can uninstall the software by deleting the working directory of the PBX (usually /usr/local/pbx) and by deleting the script pbx in the /etc/init.d directory.
Installing Linux's Version of Vodia's IP PBX on AWS (Amazon Web Service) Instance
Vodia's IP PBX is now compatible and ready to install on the Amazon Web Service (AWS) server for the IP PBX server running a Linux/Unix Operating system. The step-by-step installation procedure, configuring the firewall, IP Routing list setup (for two way audio fluency) and adding the license and getting the PBX ready to go is been explained in great detail in the following video tutorial.
Vodia support is now easier to access through the Vodia Help Center on Jira, giving partners and customers a centralized platform to submit technical support tickets, ask sales or licensing questions, and suggest new features. With a valid license key, users can open detailed requests and track their status in one place. The portal also brings together Vodia documentation, the PBX API, and the Vodia forum, making it the go-to resource for everything Vodia. Whether you're troubleshooting, planning an upgrade, or just need guidance, the Help Center is designed to streamline your experience and connect you with the right support faster.
At ChannelCon 2025 in Nashville, Vodia Sales Engineer Eric Altman engaged with MSPs and IT professionals to explore how AI is shaping the future of managed services. He emphasized that ChannelCon remains a valuable space for building strong vendor-partner relationships, especially as AI continues to dominate industry conversations. Altman noted how Vodia is helping MSPs unlock greater flexibility by combining powerful PBX features with AI-driven capabilities like dynamic call analytics, customized call flows, and automated performance reporting. He also highlighted Vodia’s recent launch of prepaid cloud instances on AWS, DigitalOcean, and Microsoft Azure, designed to streamline deployment for MSPs without infrastructure or licensing delays.
A business phone system with working hours gives companies a practical way to protect employee well-being while maintaining high service standards. With Vodia PBX, employees can set individual schedules based on their time zone, forward calls to mobile devices during working hours, and route calls after hours to voicemail, queues, or designated team members. Features like Do Not Disturb, call routing by day of the week, and presence visibility let teams manage availability without sacrificing responsiveness. Whether it’s handling peak-hour demand with call distribution or disconnecting during evenings and holidays, Vodia helps organizations support work-life balance without compromising communication quality.
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