Your server arrives fully provisioned and up to date. The FreePBX setup script runs automatically with every new order, so you are not starting from a blank slate. What follows is an orientation to the things you should take care of before putting the system into production.
1. Log In and Activate Your System #
When your server is ready, you will receive an email with your server IP address and login credentials. Open a browser and navigate to your server’s IP address to reach the FreePBX admin interface.
The first time you log in, FreePBX will walk you through the Getting Started Wizard, which registers your system with Sangoma and activates your included module licenses. Complete this before doing anything else. Your SysAdmin Pro and Endpoint Manager modules will not be available until activation is done.
2. Configure the Firewall #
FreePBX includes a built-in responsive firewall. You should configure it before your system is in use. A properly configured firewall is the most important thing you can do to protect your server from toll fraud and brute force attacks.
The firewall works by learning which networks are trusted. Add your office IP addresses and any remote locations your phones will connect from as trusted networks. SIP traffic from untrusted sources will be blocked automatically.
See our FreePBX Firewall Setup Guide for detailed instructions.
3. If You Get Locked Out #
Firewall lockouts are the most common issue new users encounter. If you suddenly cannot reach the admin interface, or your phones go offline, you have likely been blocked either by the responsive firewall or by Intrusion Detection after too many failed authentication attempts.
This is recoverable. You can regain access through the VPS control panel without needing to contact us. See our article Help, I’ve Been Blocked from My PBX for steps to resolve this and prevent it from happening again.
4. Set Up Your SIP Trunks #
A SIP trunk is the connection between your FreePBX server and the telephone network. Without one, your system can handle internal calls but cannot send or receive outside calls. You will need an account with a SIP trunk provider before you can make or receive calls.
If you have not chosen a provider yet, see our SIP Trunking guide for an overview of your options, including our recommended providers for both business and service provider use cases.
5. Configure Your System #
Once your firewall is set and your SIP trunk is connected, you are ready to build out your phone system. The typical sequence is:
- Create extensions for each user or phone
- Configure phones using Endpoint Manager (included free with your hosting)
- Set up inbound routes to direct incoming calls to the right destination
- Set up outbound routes to send calls through your SIP trunk
- Record and configure an IVR (auto attendant) if needed
- Create ring groups for shared lines like reception or support queues
FreePBX is well documented and has an active community. For detailed configuration guidance, the FreePBX documentation and community forums are the best resources. Sangoma also offers paid support and training if you need hands-on assistance.
6. Keep Your System Updated #
Your server arrives fully patched, but FreePBX and its modules release updates regularly. Keeping your system current is important for both security and stability. See our guide on updating FreePBX for instructions.
Need Help? #
If you are not sure where to start, or you would rather have someone else handle the configuration, our Professional Services team is available for setup assistance. If you are considering a more hands-off approach going forward, take a look at our Managed Server and Fully Managed PBX options.