Tech Notes
Tech Notes · October 01, 2021 · 5 MIN READ · NO COMMENTS

Getting Started with the Free Aavaz PBX on Google Cloud (GCP)

M
Mahendra Singh
Editorial · Aavaz

Getting Started with the Free Aavaz PBX on GCP

Quick overview

  • Spin up a GCP VM.
  • Deploy the Aavaz PBX via Docker container (version 3.11.5).
  • Connect your Aavaz Smart Line (click-and-go number + free $1 credit) — no separate SIP trunk from Twilio required.
  • Begin making calls, manage users/extensions, upgrade minutes or country-specific numbers with simple KYC if needed.

1. Prerequisites

Before you begin:

  • Basic familiarity with Linux (especially command line), Docker, and VM/firewall concepts.
  • A GCP account with rights to create Compute Engine instances and firewall rules.
  • An Aavaz account where you’ll receive your Smart Line number and initial credit.
  • Your email & phone number for verification (to get the Smart Line number + free credit).
  • If you plan to purchase a number in a special country, be ready to upload KYC documents through our simple interface.

2. Spin up a VM in GCP

  1. Log in to GCP → navigate to Compute Engine → VM Instances → Create Instance.
  2. Recommended settings (you can tune for budget/performance):
    • Region/Zone: choose one close to your users.
    • Machine type: e2-standard-2 (2 vCPU, 8 GB RAM) is a good starting point.
    • OS: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (or preferred Linux distribution).
    • Boot disk: 20 GB (or adjust if you plan large scale call recordings).
    • Networking: Initially allow HTTP & HTTPS (so you can access the web UI) plus plan to open SIP/RTP ports in the next step.
  3. Create the instance and note its external IP address (“instance-external-ip”).

3. Configure Firewall / Networking

To let your PBX handle SIP/RTP traffic:

  1. In GCP, go to VPC network → Firewall rules → Create firewall rule.
  2. Settings:
    • Name: e.g., aavaz-pbx-services
    • Targets: the network tag applied to your VM (e.g., aavaz-pbx)
    • Source IP ranges: 0.0.0.0/0 (or restrict further for security)
    • Protocols & ports:
      • tcp: 5060-5061, 10000-30000
      • udp: 5060-5061, 10000-30000
  3. Ensure your VM’s network interface has the tag (e.g., aavaz-pbx) so the rule applies.
  4. (Optional) Consider restricting “source IP ranges” after initial setup to only your trusted IPs for added security.

4. Install the Aavaz Free PBX Container

SSH into your VM (ssh user@instance-external-ip) and run:

# (if Docker not yet installed)
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh
sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo systemctl start docker

# Pull the specific version
sudo docker pull aavaz/pbx:3.11.5

# Create required volumes
sudo docker volume create aavaz
sudo docker volume create aavazRecHost

# Run the container
sudo docker container run -d \
  --name aavaz-pbx-3-11-5 \
  --restart always \
  --network host \
  --cap-add NET_ADMIN \
  -v /mnt/aavazRecHost:/mnt/aavazRec \
  -v aavaz:/aavaz/deploy/persist \
  aavaz/pbx:3.11.5

Notes:

  • --network host gives the container full network access (simplifies SIP/RTP).
  • --cap-add NET_ADMIN is needed for certain network operations (e.g., bridging or binding ports).
  • Recordings will go to /mnt/aavazRecHost on the host.
  • Persistent config/data is on the aavaz volume mounted to /aavaz/deploy/persist.

5. Connect Your Aavaz Smart Line

  1. Log into your Aavaz account → choose Smart Line setup.
  2. Verify your email + phone number — you’ll receive a number (valued at ≈ US$1) and US$1 of free calling credit (valid for a month) as part of the setup.
  3. (If you select a number from a country that requires KYC) Upload the necessary documents via our easy interface. Once KYC is approved, you’ll be able to buy/activate that number.
  4. In the PBX web-UI (browse to http://instance-external-ip), go to trunk/number settings and enter the Smart Line SIP credentials (or follow our wizard).
  5. Make a test inbound and outbound call to confirm that your Smart Line is working.

6. Configure Extensions & Basic Telephony

  1. In the PBX dashboard, add user extensions (phones/apps) as needed.
  2. Define inbound call routing: map your Smart Line number → extension or IVR menu.
  3. Define outbound routing: select the Smart Line as the trunk.
  4. (Optional) Set up voicemail, call recording, IVR greetings, call queues, etc.
  5. Monitor usage: track call minutes; when your free credit is used up you can purchase minute-packages or additional numbers via the Aavaz portal.

7. Upgrade & Manage Your Plan

  • After your free trial number + credit expire, you can buy minute-packages from the Aavaz portal.
  • To add more numbers (especially in other countries), you may need to complete KYC for that country.
  • Manage your VM (back-ups, scaling, security) as your usage grows.
  • Consider more powerful VM instance types or high-availability setups if you deploy for many users.

8. Security & Best Practices

  • Regularly update the host OS and Docker engine.
  • Use strong credentials for PBX admin and extensions.
  • Limit firewall sources (e.g., restrict SIP/RTP to known networks).
  • Encrypt web-UI access (use SSL/TLS) and consider VPN access if remote.
  • Backup your /aavaz/deploy/persist volume and recordings directory regularly.
  • Monitor your call volumes, costs, and usage to avoid surprise charges.

9. Troubleshooting & Support

  • If calls aren’t going through: confirm firewall ports, check SIP logs, verify Smart Line trunk settings.
  • If you can’t receive inbound: ensure number is routed to the PBX, VM’s public IP hasn’t changed, no NAT issues.
  • If KYC is pending: check that you uploaded the correct documents and meet the country’s numbering requirements.
  • For help, reach out to Aavaz support (sales@aavaz.biz or chat via portal) with your VM external IP, container name, and Smart Line number.

10. What’s Next?

Once you’re up and running with the basics, explore more advanced features:

  • Call center queues and agent dashboards.
  • CRM integration and API hooks.
  • Multi-region HA deployment.
  • Analytics and reporting on call volumes, patterns, quality.
  • Mobile or WebRTC soft-phones for remote agents.

Conclusion In just a few steps, you can have a full-blown PBX running on GCP, powered by Aavaz’s Smart Line offering — no separate SIP trunk setup required. Whether you’re a small business or contact-centre startup, this gives you a low-barrier way to get started. Let me know when you’d like to add screenshots, tweak the tone to quirky old-school (as per your style), or publish.

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