Introduction
Elastix is a free and open‑source Unified Communications Server that combines several components of the Asterisk platform, FreePBX, and additional telephony and collaboration modules into a single distribution. Designed to provide a cost‑effective, feature‑rich environment for voice, video, and instant messaging, Elastix is commonly used by small and medium‑sized enterprises, call centers, and educational institutions. The software presents a web‑based management interface that allows administrators to configure call routing, voicemail, conferencing, and a range of other services without deep knowledge of underlying telephony protocols.
Core Purpose
The primary goal of Elastix is to enable users to deploy a fully functional Private Branch Exchange (PBX) with minimal effort and hardware expense. By bundling Asterisk’s call control engine with FreePBX’s graphical configuration tools, Elastix removes many of the administrative barriers that traditionally accompany PBX deployment. Furthermore, the distribution includes modules for email, fax, instant messaging, and web conferencing, positioning it as a comprehensive communications hub.
Key Characteristics
- Open‑source licence (GPL v2)
- Linux‑based operating system (commonly CentOS)
- Web interface (PHP/Apache) for administration
- Modular architecture allowing optional features to be enabled or disabled
- Support for SIP, IAX, and PSTN integration via analog and digital gateways
- Built‑in reporting and analytics tools
History and Development
Elastix originated in 2005 as a project by the developers of the open‑source Asterisk PBX system. The initial release aimed to simplify the deployment of Asterisk by providing a preconfigured environment that bundled Asterisk with a graphical interface, the FreePBX module, and additional utilities. Over time, Elastix expanded beyond basic PBX functionality to include fax, instant messaging, and conferencing features, reflecting the growing demand for unified communications (UC) solutions among small businesses.
Version Timeline
- Elastix 1.0 (2005) – First release, focused on integrating Asterisk 1.4 and early FreePBX modules.
- Elastix 2.0 (2008) – Added support for Asterisk 2.0, introduced Unified Communications modules, and improved scalability.
- Elastix 3.x (2010‑2012) – Brought compatibility with Asterisk 2.2 and 2.4, added the Unified Communications Suite (UCS) with video conferencing and instant messaging.
- Elastix 4.x (2014‑2016) – Transitioned to CentOS 6, incorporated Asterisk 13, and added advanced call‑flow modules.
- Elastix 5.x (2016‑2019) – Shifted to CentOS 7, integrated Asterisk 13 with enhanced security features, and introduced new voicemail and reporting capabilities.
- Elastix 6.x (2019‑Present) – The most recent major release, featuring Asterisk 16, PHP 7, and an updated FreePBX interface. Development has slowed, with focus shifting to community maintenance and forks.
Community and Forks
In 2018, Elastix Enterprises announced that it would discontinue the official development of Elastix. The project was subsequently maintained by the Elastix community, leading to the emergence of several forks. One notable fork is the iRedMail Elastix project, which continues to provide updated releases based on newer Asterisk versions. Other forks include iXO and Elastix 6.3, each adding incremental improvements and security patches.
Architecture and Key Components
Elastix’s architecture is modular, allowing administrators to enable or disable features according to organizational needs. The core components are outlined below.
Asterisk Engine
Asterisk serves as the heart of the system, handling all call control logic, voice packet routing, and protocol conversions. Elastix ships with a customized configuration of Asterisk, preloaded with dial plan templates that facilitate common use cases such as inbound call routing, auto‑attendant, and voicemail.
FreePBX Interface
FreePBX is a web‑based graphical front end for Asterisk. Within Elastix, FreePBX provides modules for managing extensions, trunks, IVR, call queues, and reporting. The interface abstracts complex Asterisk configuration files, presenting administrators with form‑based controls.
Unified Communications Suite (UCS)
The UCS layer includes modules for instant messaging (XMPP), video conferencing (SIP‑based video), and collaboration tools such as screen sharing. The UCS is optional; enabling it installs additional services such as Prosody (XMPP server) and Mumble or Jitsi for video.
Fax Module (eFax)
Elastix integrates a fax server component that allows fax transmission and reception over IP using T.38 or SIP Fax. The fax module can be configured through FreePBX, enabling features like fax to email, inbound fax routing, and fax status notifications.
Unified Messaging
The unified messaging component consolidates voicemail, fax, and email into a single mailbox for each user. Users can retrieve messages via web interface, POP3/IMAP, or VoIP-enabled mobile applications.
Gateway Interfaces
Elastix supports analog, digital, and ISDN gateways, enabling connection to traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) infrastructure. Integration is achieved via hardware modules that interface with the Asterisk engine, exposing them as trunks within the web interface.
Features and Functionalities
Elastix offers a wide range of features that cater to the needs of various communication scenarios. The following subsections elaborate on these capabilities.
Call Routing and Management
Call routing in Elastix is managed through the Asterisk dial plan and the FreePBX graphical interface. Features include:
- Inbound and outbound call routing based on trunk or user extensions
- Time‑of‑day routing rules
- Call forwarding, hunt groups, and ring groups
- Automatic call distribution (ACD) and IVR (Interactive Voice Response)
- Call parking and transfer options
Voicemail and Messaging
Elastix’s voicemail system supports:
- Custom greeting recordings per extension
- Voicemail to email notifications
- XML-based voicemail transcription (optional add‑on)
- Advanced voicemail search and sorting
Fax Capabilities
The fax subsystem allows:
- Incoming fax to email conversion
- Outgoing fax via SIP T.38 or Fax over IP
- Batch faxing and fax queue management
Instant Messaging and Presence
Using the Prosody XMPP server, Elastix supports:
- Presence information and status updates
- Chat rooms and private messaging
- Integration with VoIP endpoints for click‑to‑dial and voice calls
Video Conferencing
Elastix can be extended to provide video conferencing via SIP‑based video protocols or WebRTC. The default setup includes:
- Web‑based conferencing rooms
- Screen sharing and whiteboard functionalities
- Recording and playback of conference sessions
Reporting and Analytics
The reporting module aggregates call logs, bandwidth usage, and performance metrics. Users can generate:
- Call detail records (CDRs) in CSV or XML format
- VoIP performance dashboards
- Real‑time traffic monitoring
Security Features
Elastix incorporates several security mechanisms, including:
- Strong encryption for SIP signaling (TLS) and media (SRTP)
- Authentication via usernames/passwords or SIP credentials
- IP address whitelisting for inbound trunks
- Regular updates for underlying software components
Deployment and Use Cases
Elastix’s modularity and ease of configuration make it suitable for a variety of deployment scenarios. Below are common use cases.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
SMEs often require a cost‑effective communication platform that can scale with growth. Elastix allows SMEs to replace traditional PBX systems with a single server that handles voice, fax, and messaging, reducing maintenance overhead and hardware costs.
Call Centers
Call center operators use Elastix’s advanced call routing, queue management, and reporting to manage inbound and outbound campaigns. Features such as automatic call distribution and real‑time monitoring help improve agent productivity and customer satisfaction.
Educational Institutions
Schools and universities adopt Elastix for campus‑wide telephony and collaboration. The system supports internal extensions, conference rooms, and remote learning tools. Integration with email and instant messaging enhances communication between faculty, staff, and students.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals and clinics use Elastix to connect internal staff, patient portals, and external emergency services. Fax integration is critical for transmitting medical records, while secure VoIP and video conferencing support telemedicine services.
Community and Support
Elastix relies on a community of developers, administrators, and users for maintenance and support. Key community resources include:
Forums and Mailing Lists
The official Elastix forums provide a platform for troubleshooting, feature requests, and knowledge sharing. Mailing lists are used for announcements and discussion of upcoming releases.
Documentation
Elastix includes extensive user manuals and developer guides. Documentation covers installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and custom module development. It is available in multiple languages, reflecting the global user base.
Commercial Support
Prior to its discontinuation, Elastix Enterprises offered commercial support contracts. Current community forks sometimes provide paid support options, such as dedicated installation services or priority bug fixes.
Licensing and Versions
Elastix is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.0, allowing free use, modification, and redistribution. Subsequent forks have maintained the GPL license, ensuring that derived works remain open source.
Version Compatibility
- Elastix 6.x – Compatible with Asterisk 16, CentOS 7, and PHP 7.
- Elastix 5.x – Built on Asterisk 13, CentOS 6, PHP 5.
- Elastix 4.x – Uses Asterisk 13, CentOS 6, PHP 5.
Related Software and Competitors
Elastix competes with several open‑source and commercial Unified Communications solutions. Key alternatives include:
FreePBX (Standalone)
FreePBX is the same web interface used within Elastix but can be installed on a generic Linux server without the additional UC modules. Administrators who require only PBX functionality may choose FreePBX alone.
OpenSIPS + Kamailio
These SIP server platforms provide scalable routing and registration services. When combined with Asterisk, they can form a distributed telephony architecture suitable for large enterprises.
Yate (Yet Another Telephony Engine)
Yate offers an alternative to Asterisk, providing scripting capabilities and support for multiple protocols. Some organizations replace Elastix with a Yate‑based stack for specialized use cases.
Commercial PBX Systems
Companies such as Cisco, Avaya, and Polycom provide proprietary PBX and UC solutions. While generally more expensive, they offer enterprise‑grade support and advanced features.
Future Developments
Although official development of Elastix has slowed, the community continues to maintain and improve the platform. Emerging trends influencing future iterations include:
- Integration of WebRTC for browser‑based voice and video calls.
- Enhanced security via end‑to‑end encryption and compliance with regulations such as GDPR.
- Cloud‑native deployments using containers and orchestration tools like Kubernetes.
- Improved scalability to support thousands of simultaneous calls.
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