Elastix

Elastix is an open source Linux operating system specifically designed for people who are looking for a free and easy-to-setup reporting interface to the Asterisk CDRs (Call Data Records) stored in a MySQL database. It is based on the CentOS distribution, which in turn is based on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Features at a glance

Key features include voicemail, fax-to-email, support for softphones, web Interface, virtual conference rooms, call recording, least cost routing, extension roaming, PBX interconnection, caller ID, CRM, as well as advance reports.

In addition, it provides users with cool graphics to the most common reports, such as top outgoing numbers dialed and top internal extensions called. Furthermore, the distro integrates some of best utilities that are available for the Asterisk PBX (Private Branch Exchanges) software.

Availability, supported architectures and boot options

The operating system is distributed as installable only ISO images, supporting both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. From the minimal boot prompt, users can start a fresh installation of Elastix, as well as to upgrade an existing one. Both graphical and text-mode installers are available.

Straightforward installation

Hitting the Enter key on the boot prompt will start the graphical installer, which will require users to enable IPv4 and IPv6 networking from the get-go. The installer will automatically detect if the disk drive is not empty, warning users about it.

Choose a language for the installation process, select a keyboard layout, select a timezone, and set up the root (system administrator) password. Next, you will have to choose an installation type, which will automatically partition and encrypt (optionally) the disk drive.

Bottom line

In conclusion, Elastix is a stable, reliable and powerful operating system based on enterprise-grade Linux distributions, but designed for a limited group of people. Therefore, if you want to deploy a dedicated VoIP, chat of fax server, download and install the Elastix distro.

What is new in this release:

• Changes in Elastix Framework:
• The instalation of the Elastix system now its much cleaner.
• The Migration to Privileged Scripts its completed. Now, there its no need to use commands such as /bin/touch, /bin/chmod, etc.
• We improve readability on blackmin theme.
• Fixed readout of FreePBX database password.
• The internal jQuery was updated to 1.8.3 .
• Some minor bug fixes for the Elastix Framework.
• Changes in Elastix Addons:
• Correction for Postgresql repo in ARM architecture.
• Some minor bug fixes for Elastix-Addons.
• Changes in Elastix Firstboot:
• Make an update of password in manager.conf more robust in the case it falls out of sync with elastix.conf file
• The Cancel option that used to appear in the dialog_password was removed, because if someone pressed, it no allows to continue configuring passwords. Now only appears the Cancel option after the firstboot if its necesary to change the password already seted.
• Some minor bug fixes for Elastix-Firstboot.
• Changes in Elastix Email_Admin:
• Change of files owners for more security in the web path.
• Creation of new helper scripts (spamconfig,remotesmtp,mailman_config,relayconfig).
• Was made changes in the module email_account in order to better interaction at moment to create a new email account.
• Some minor bug fixes for Elastix-Email_Admin.
• Changes in Elastix Fax:
• NEW MODULE Fax Queue.
• Now errors are displayed when the fax job failed to submit and do not ignore them.
• Remove useless code that could potentially error out the module.
• Implementation of fax job cancelation.
• Changes in Elastix PBX:
• Add support and features to following phones: Elastix LXP200, Yealink model SIP-T38G, VP530 model, Alcatel Temporis IP800, Escene 620, Fanvil C62, Damall D3310 and Grandstream model GXV280.
• Modified the way of displaying Reasons for Status in module weak keys.
• In module Control Planel was made changes in function showChannels in order to fix bugs in wich the call made through a sip trunk have not been displayed in control panel.
• Some minor bug fixes for Elastix-PBX.
• Changes in Elastix Security:
• The instalation of this module now its much cleaner.
• Change of files owners for more security int he path web path.
• Some bug fixes for Elastix-Security.
• Changes in Elastix System:
• Reimplementation of GUI backup and restore operations on top of backupengine.
• Add options to active o inactive services when reboot system in Process Status Applet.
• Some minor bug fixes for Elastix-System.
• Centos version was updated to 5.9
• Kernel version was updated to 2.6.18-348.1.1
• FreePBX version was updated to 2.8.1-16
• Rhino version was updated to 0.99.6-0.b2
• Asterisk version was updated to 1.8.20
• Dadhi version was updated 2.6.1-4

What is new in version 3.0.0:

• Changes in Elastix Framework:
• The instalation of the Elastix system now its much cleaner.
• The Migration to Privileged Scripts its completed. Now, there its no need to use commands such as /bin/touch, /bin/chmod, etc.
• We improve readability on blackmin theme.
• Fixed readout of FreePBX database password.
• The internal jQuery was updated to 1.8.3 .
• Some minor bug fixes for the Elastix Framework.
• Changes in Elastix Addons:
• Correction for Postgresql repo in ARM architecture.
• Some minor bug fixes for Elastix-Addons.
• Changes in Elastix Firstboot:
• Make an update of password in manager.conf more robust in the case it falls out of sync with elastix.conf file
• The Cancel option that used to appear in the dialog_password was removed, because if someone pressed, it no allows to continue configuring passwords. Now only appears the Cancel option after the firstboot if its necesary to change the password already seted.
• Some minor bug fixes for Elastix-Firstboot.
• Changes in Elastix Email_Admin:
• Change of files owners for more security in the web path.
• Creation of new helper scripts (spamconfig,remotesmtp,mailman_config,relayconfig).
• Was made changes in the module email_account in order to better interaction at moment to create a new email account.
• Some minor bug fixes for Elastix-Email_Admin.
• Changes in Elastix Fax:
• NEW MODULE Fax Queue.
• Now errors are displayed when the fax job failed to submit and do not ignore them.
• Remove useless code that could potentially error out the module.
• Implementation of fax job cancelation.
• Changes in Elastix PBX:
• Add support and features to following phones: Elastix LXP200, Yealink model SIP-T38G, VP530 model, Alcatel Temporis IP800, Escene 620, Fanvil C62, Damall D3310 and Grandstream model GXV280.
• Modified the way of displaying Reasons for Status in module weak keys.
• In module Control Planel was made changes in function showChannels in order to fix bugs in wich the call made through a sip trunk have not been displayed in control panel.
• Some minor bug fixes for Elastix-PBX.
• Changes in Elastix Security:
• The instalation of this module now its much cleaner.
• Change of files owners for more security int he path web path.
• Some bug fixes for Elastix-Security.
• Changes in Elastix System:
• Reimplementation of GUI backup and restore operations on top of backupengine.
• Add options to active o inactive services when reboot system in Process Status Applet.
• Some minor bug fixes for Elastix-System.
• Centos version was updated to 5.9
• Kernel version was updated to 2.6.18-348.1.1
• FreePBX version was updated to 2.8.1-16
• Rhino version was updated to 0.99.6-0.b2
• Asterisk version was updated to 1.8.20
• Dadhi version was updated 2.6.1-4

What is new in version 2.0.0:

• Renovated Dashboard:
• The new Elastix dashboard allows the user to be aware of the system state, its performance, missed calls, emails, news from Elastix and much more. The user can select what applets to show and how to organize them. The applets can be organized by drag and drop in the browser window itself without the need of a plug-in.
• Add-ons:
• The new Elastix add-ons module enables the installation of Elastix-integrated applications in a straightforward and intuitive manner. This new functionality will also allow third party application writers to integrate their apps with Elastix very easily.
• In addition, the user will be kept informed of any new updates as well as newly available add-ons.
• Elastix Operator Panel:
• Elastix Operator Panel is an application embedded within Elastix which allows for the management of calls in real time as well as providing a snapshot of the current activity. The Elastix Operator Panel does not require a flash plug-in to be installed in the browser. Everything is drag and drop!
• Elastix Conference Room:
• The Elastix Conference Room is ideal for virtual meetings. Currently, one can set up a voice conference, share presentations in several formats, establish a file repository and chat with meeting attendees at the same time.
• Mail Module improvements:
• It is now easier to integrate Elastix with an external mail server. Just fill a form and the integration would be ready without the need to edit a single text file. Another improvement is the integration with the Mailman mailing-list engine so one can create a mailing list straight from the Elastix interface.
• Web-based Faxing:
• Starting in Elastix 2.0 users can send faxes directly from the web interface. Users can write the fax content directly in the web interface or upload files in PDF, TIFF or plain text format.
• DHCP Module improvements:
• The DHCP server now allows the user to see the list of assigned IPs and their MAC addresses. Also, Elastix now has the capability of assigning static IPs based on the MAC address of the IP phone.
• Automatic Backups:
• Backups can now be scheduled in advanced so they can occur daily, weekly or monthly. In addition, the interface now allows for a file to be uploaded or downloaded with all data and configurations to/from an external FTP server with drag and drops.
• Agenda Module improvements:
• Agenda events can now be organized and downloaded in iCal format. The user can also move the events or modify their duration by drag and drop.
• The complete detail of the changes in Elastix 2.0 can be viewed in the changelog. Elastix 1.6 will be mantained for bug correction and security issues only. However, there will not be any new functionality added to the 1.6 versions in the future.

What is new in version 1.4 Beta:

• The major change in this release is that it is based on CentOS 5.2 instead of 5.1.
• FreePBX has been upgraded to 2.5.1, and misdn updated to 1.18.

What is new in version 1.2 RC2:

• New RPMs for Mailman and Spamassassin are included.
• The Asterisk log module is finished.
• Multiple improvements in Roudcub: support for password changes, a fix for an attachments bug, and other minor bugfixes.
• Asterisk has been updated to 1.4.21.2 and Zaptel to 1.4.11.
• The compatibility problem between freepbx 2.4 and the Call Center has been fixed.
• Fixes and improvements to the Rhino RPM.
• Integration of the Agenda module with the Address Book.
• The bug in the Extension batch module that made the direct DID be saved as null has been fixed.

What is new in version 1.2 RC1:

• Roundcube has support for password changes, a fix for a bug with attachments, and other minor bugfixes.
• The RPMs for Asterisk, Zaptel, and Libpri have been updated.
• There are enhancements to Rhino's RPMs.
• The agenda module is now integrated with the address book, so you can send voice notifications to external numbers.
• There are bugfixes in the "Batch" module.