AWS-Optimized FreePBX Instance
Global IP Systems, LLC | 1.7Linux/Unix, CentOS 6.3 - 64-bit Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
This older unofficial FreePBX version results in several major problems.
I was excited to see that FreePBX (a platform I have been using for many years) was available on AWS. After launching an instance, however, I was disappointed to see that this is not an official FreePBX Distro build. This results in several problems:
1. This is an older version of FreePBX and lacks many newer features and fixes found in the current Official FreePBX Distro. Stability and functionality suffer, as a result.
2. Because this is a poorly built unofficial version of FreePBX, it cannot be registered with Sangoma/Schmoozecom for commercial module licensing and support. This means you are reduced to only having the free modules and components available to you at launch time, with no option for employing the more powerful commercial modules and features, should you desire to. Don't let the System Admin and Module Admin pages fool you...NO outbound fax support, NO commercial endpoint provisioning (the OSS endpoint provisioner module supplied is not very well maintained these days), NO OFFICIAL REGISTRATION OR COMMERCIAL MODULES WHATSOEVER!
3. Again, because this is an unofficial version of FreePBX (and an older one at that), you are not able to obtain official commercial support from Sangoma/Schmoozecom for any issues you may encounter. This product listing page provides no commercial support options and even refers you to the FreePBX community site as the only support available.
In conclusion, while this AMI is said to be geared for small businesses, I feel that it isn't a good fit for ANY business. Large businesses will not like the lack of expansion and missing modules readily available in the Official FreePBX Distro. Small businesses will not likely have the technical expertise on-staff to properly maintain this AMI >>>AND<<< will have no commercial support options to fall back on when they run into trouble.
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not easy
was not able to start this PBX ( reading instructions was not enough to start this instance)- its easier to get a free one on AWS just search for PIAF PBX for EC2 with all setup instructions 1by1 just Google it ( instructions are so much better covering every small aspect).
I understand that if you are a UNIX/Linux pro you can get thru this install, but if you are like me - power user - its not an option for you.
Owners should review instructions to be more user friendly
excelent product
excellent product as well as all amazon products.
Amazon was fundamental to the business of our company, and we could effectively deliver our work without the amazon cloud
Easy Installation, Great Technical Support
In the course of reviewing PBX software solutions, I came across this one. It is extremely easy to install. However the technical support is outstanding. They are very prompt with their replies and extremely dedicated in making sure that you understand how to use the software.
There was a slight bug in the version 1.1 AMI which is being fixed as I write this review.
If you see a warning that freepbx.log can not be written to, please know that it doesn't affect FreePBX. In order to not see this warning just follow these instructions:
The problem is that logrotate recreates the files as root and then the file can't be updated
On the console do (log on as ec2-user and then become root):
1) chown asterisk:asterisk /var/log/asterisk/freepbx.log. This will stop that warning from been shown
2) Open the file /etc/logrotate.d/asterisk
Change the line that says
create 640 root root
To
create 640 asterisk asterisk