Overview
Everything in FreePBX is a module, so you need to enable all the modules you want to use. If you do enable something you don't use, it won't matter - it'll just make clicking the red 'Reload Bar' take a little longer, as it goes through and asks every modules 'What would you like done?. If you're using a lower powered system (Say, a Piii 500 or slower) you might want to be a bit selective with the modules you use, but it will _only_ affect the speed of FreePBX, not the speed of Asterisk itself.
The modules are listed along the left-hand side of the GUI, and are divided into two sections, "Setup" and "Tools." Once you're at a specific module's page, you can hover your mouse over the title of each entry and get instructions on what the entry does. Generally, you'll want to configure the modules in this order:
Trunks- Trunks are the PBX equivalent of a phone line. They are how your system makes calls to the outside world and receives calls from the outside world. Without a trunk, you can't call anyone. You can configure a trunk to connect with any VOIP service provider (such as FreePBX's SipStation), with a PSTN/Media Gateway (which allows you to make and receive calls over standard telephone lines from your local telephone company), or to connect directly to another PBX.
Most reputable VOIP providers will give instructions on how to configure a FreePBX trunk with their service. The vast majority of VOIP providers provide their service using SIP Trunks. A few also support IAX Trunks.
Zap trunks are used to connect with phone line cards that are installed into your PBX computer.
An ENUM trunk interfaces with e164.org and allow you to make and receive free calls over the internet to anyone who has registered their number with e164.org. ENUM's usefulness is limited by the fact that your machine must be exposed to the internet to receive ENUM calls, and doing so presents a security risk.
The Dialed Number Manipulation Rules section lets you redirect calls to certain numbers to other numbers. For example, if someone dials 411, FreePBX can be configured to change that to 1-800-FREE-411. Or you could make 611 call your grandmother. Hover your mouse over the words "Dialed Number Manipulation Rules" for more details.
Outbound Routes- Outbound Routes are how you tell your PBX which Trunks (phone lines) to use when people dial certain telephone numbers. A simple installation will tell the PBX to send all calls to a single trunk. However, a complex setup will have an outbound route for emergency calls, another outbound route for local calls, another for long distance calls, and perhaps even another for international calls. You can even create a "dead trunk" and route prohibited calls (such as international and 976 calls) to it.
Hover your mouse over each of the fields for more details on what each field controls.
Extensions (or Devices and Users)- Extensions are where you set-up devices (telephones) and users (extensions) on your system.
To create one, click "add extension" on the right-hand side of the screen, and then select "generic SIP extension." Although there are a lot of fields available, most of them can be left blank or at the default setting. The only required fields are: User Extension (set the extension number here), Display Name (give the extension a name, usually a location or a person), and secret (the password used to register a phone to the extension).
All of the available fields have help available right on the Web GUI. Just hover your mouse over the field and a pop-up will tell you what it does.
Follow-me- The follow-me module allows you to create a more complicated method of routing calls that are placed to a specific extension. Using this module, you can make a call to one extension ring several other extensions, or even outside phone numbers. You can also make calls to one-extension end in the voicemail of another extension.
For example, using "follow-me," you could make a call to extension 10 actually ring extension 10, extension 11, and extension 12, and call someone's cellular phone, for 15 seconds, and then, if nobody answers, go the voicemailbox for extension 17.
Ring Groups- Ring Groups allow you to create a single extension number (the Ring Group Number) that will call more than one person.
For example, you could make a Ring Group so that when any user dials extension 601, extensions 10, 11, 12, and 13 ring for 15 seconds, and then the call goes to the voicemail for extension 17.
Inbound Routes- The Inbound Routes module is where you tell the PBX how to handle incoming calls. Typically, you tell the PBX the phone number that outside callers have called ("DID Number" or "Direct Inward Dial Number") and then indicate which extension, Ring Group, Voicemail, or other destination the call will go to.
Parking Lot- A parking lot allows anyone who has received a call to park the call on an extension that anyone else can access. Typically, you receive the call, transfer it to extension 70, and then listen as the system tells you where you can pick up the call (usually extension 71). Then, anyone else on your PBX can dial 71 to pick-up the call.
Feature Codes- This module allows you to set the special codes that users dial to access various features. You can also disable features if you don't want users to be able to access them.
General Settings-: This module has several important features you may want to consider changing:
. Dial Dial Voicemail Prefix: This feature allows you to directly dial an extension's voicemailbox by dialing the prefix listed on this page. So, for example, if you dial * (the default) and then an extension number, you'll skip ringing the extension and go straight to their mailbox. This is useful when you wish to transfer someone directly to voicemail. If you leave this at the default of *, and you use two digit extensions, the direct dial voicemail function will confict with certain feature codes. You may wish to change the direct dial voicemail prefix from the default of "*" to something else, such as *86.
. Optional Voicemail Recording Gain: If you find that the voicemail messages you receive are quiet compared to the system recordings, you might want to change this from the default of 0 to 5.
. Do Not Play "please leave message after tone" to caller- If you'd prefer that asterisk just play the outgoing message and then beep, then check this box.
. Operator Extension- You can specify the extension number/ring group number that people will get transferred to when they dial 0 while leaving a voicemail. If you leave this blank, the caller will return to whatever ring group they came from before reaching voicemail.
Paging and Intercom- By default, you dial *80 plus the extension number to intercom a specific user. The Paging and Intercom module allows you to define numbers you can dial to page a group of devices at once. For example, in a small office, you might define a paging group that allows any user to dial 00 to page the entire office.
Conferences- This module allows you to create an extension number that people can dial into in order to have a conference call.
For example, any user could dial extension 800 and they would be in a conference call.
IVR- This is the module where you configure an auto attendant to answer calls and direct them.
System Recordings- This is the module where you record the messages for use on your auto-attendant.
DISA ("Direct Inward System Access")- This module allows you to create a destination that allows people to call in from an outside line and reach a system dial tone. This is useful if you want people to be able to take advantage of your lower rate for toll calls, or if you want outside callers to be able to use the paging or intercom features of the system. Always password protect this feature, if you use it at all.
Backup and Restore- This module allows you to backup and restore the settings and recordings made by FreePBX/Asterisk. After they are made, you can find the backups by typing the following at your command prompt:
cd /var/lib/asterisk/backups
ls -l
Time Conditions/Time Groups- These modules allow you to define time periods and then choose where calls will go during those time periods. For example, you could set up a time period for the days and hours when a business is open, and then set the system to send calls to all extensions during business hours and straight to voicemail after hours.
PIN Sets- Allows you to set PINS (i.e., passwords) that you can make the system require users to enter before putting calls through. The PINs are defined in this module, and then selected in the Outbound Routes module.
Additional FreePBX modules
You will find some additional modules that have been contributed to the FreePBX community here:
http://mirror.freepbx.org/modules/release/contributed_modules/