To set up the Vodia PBX on Google Cloud, start by creating a VM instance in Google Cloud's Compute Engine - choose a region, zone and a compatible operating system, like Debian. Once the instance is running, configure firewall rules to allow essential ports, such as 80, 443 and SIP-specific ports (5060/5061) to enable communication. Use SSH to install the Vodia PBX by downloading and executing the installation script. After installation, configure the Vodia PBX login, then adjust IP routing settings to recognize the Google Cloud NAT by specifying internal and external IPs. This setup helps you effectively run the Vodia PBX in a cloud environment with secure, remote access and full functionality.
In this blog, we will cover the basic steps for setting up the Vodia PBX with Google Cloud. If you don’t have a google account, you can sign up at https://cloud.google.com/ and get $300 to spend on Google Cloud Platform over the next 12 months!
Once you have access to your Google Cloud, navigate to (Compute Engine) to create a VM.
Click on create
Setting up your VM
Name Your instance (lower case) no spaces
Choose your region and zone
Machine configuration (choose General-Purpose)
Building your instance
Choose your operating system (for this tutorial we are using Debian). You can use Windows or any other Linux flavor.
Service Account (Choose Compute Engine default service account)
Access Scope (Choose Allow default access)
Firewall Setting (Choose Allow HTTP traffic and Allow HTTPS Traffic)
When done, click create.
Running instance
Now that the VM is running, Google has provided us with internal IP and external IP addresses. These IP addresses will be assigned to the Vodia PBX to determine the audio packets.
Edit the firewall
Next, we are going to set up the firewall on Google Cloud.
Click on your instance as shown below.
Next, scroll down to (Network details) and click on (View details)
In the right-hand panel, choose (Firewall rule).
Create Firewall Rules
Click on (default-allow-internal)
Change the IP source address from to 10.128.0.0/9 to 0.0.0.0/0 and save.
This will take care of the following ports:
80 (TCP)
443 (TCP
5060 (UDP)
5061 (TCP)
RTP Ports 49152- 64512
LDAP Ports 2345-2346
Installing the Vodia PBX Phone System
To install the Vodia PBX, we need to log in with SSH. To do this, click on the SSH drop down and choose (open in the browser window).
Allow login only from listed address ( is optional)
Save the password in a safe place
Behind NAT
Since Google Cloud is behind NAT, we need to program the Vodia PBX to use the external IP address of the VM. The (IP Routing list) in the Vodia PBX is used to override the operating system IP routing table (this setting will be consulted by the system before consulting/using the operating system).
To check your internal/external IP address, click on the three-line icon and scroll down to (Compute Engine).
In this example, my internal IP is 10.150.0.2 and my external IP is 35.236.234.40
Vodia’s PBX now integrates with Keycloak OpenID Connect, providing secure single sign-on for users so they can access all connected applications without repeated authentication. Logging out from one application automatically logs the user out of all connected systems, simplifying user management and improving security. Keycloak, a Cloud Native Computing Foundation project, supports standard protocols including OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SAML, offering enterprise-grade identity and access management. To ensure proper integration, Keycloak user emails must match the corresponding PBX extension emails. Complete guidance is available in the Vodia Keycloak integration guide.
Vodia Networks has announced a strategic distribution partnership with Comms Group Global (ASX: CCG), aiming to expand the reach of its feature-rich cloud PBX solutions across APAC and EMEA. Through this collaboration, Comms Group Global will serve as an official reseller, providing businesses of all sizes with scalable, secure, and integrated telephony solutions. Customers will benefit from advanced call management features, Microsoft Teams integration, and robust security standards, while also gaining access to Comms Group’s SIP coverage in over 65 countries. The partnership enables a streamlined “one-touch” provisioning process, ensuring fast and seamless deployment for enterprises and SMEs seeking to improve efficiency.
Although many consider fax outdated, it continues to play a crucial role in sectors where compliance, confidentiality, and legal proof of delivery are non-negotiable. Healthcare providers rely on fax to meet HIPAA requirements, while industries such as finance, law, and real estate depend on it for contracts and documents that require signatures or legally verifiable transmission. Unlike email, fax offers confirmation reports that serve as proof of receipt, along with time-stamped records that hold up in legal proceedings. With Vodia’s PBX, digital fax becomes faster, easier, and more accessible than ever before, enabling users to drag and drop documents, monitor transmission progress, and receive immediate confirmations.
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