This week, PBX in a Flash updated from 2.0.6.4.5 to 2.0.6.5.0. As with any software update, the changes are incremental. But there are a few key compatibility upgrades that punch up features and functionality.
Two major advancements are the availability of the new CentOS 6.5 (up from 6.4) operating system and the inclusion of Asterisk 12 beta (in addition to the tried-and-true Asterisk 10 and 11). What does that mean? Let’s take a look.
Updated OS
The new CentOS 6.5 delivers a few enhancements including updated security and locked in PTP support. Here’s a more complete list from the CentOS website detailing what’s included in the update:
- The Precision Time Protocol – previously a technology preview – is now fully supported. The following drivers support network time stamping: bnx2x, tg3, e1000e, igb, ixgbe, and sfc.
- OpenSSL has been updated to version 1.0.1.
- OpenSSL and NSS now support TLS 1.1 and 1.2.
- KVM received various enhancements. These include improved read-only support of VMDK- and VHDX-Files, CPU hot plugging and updated virt-v2v-/virt-p2v-conversion tools.
- Hyper-V and VMware drivers have been updated.
- Updates to Evolution (2.32) and Libre Office (4.0.4).
Asterisk 12 Beta
The beta release of Asterisk 12 includes new SIP channel driver, and other architectural enhancements features such as a new interface. If you are up for playing around with a work in progress, it could be fun to give the beta a try. A few of our ops engineers have and found it pretty good. But as with any beta, don’t expect full release stability. Clicking the link above will get you all the gory details about what’s new for 12, but here’s a list of highlights direct from the site:
- A new extensible and performant SIP channel driver built on the pjsip SIP stack.
- Application of the Asterisk bridging framework throughout the project, providing consistency to management of channels while they are in a bridge.
- Stasis, a new internal message bus that conveys state about channels, bridges, endpoints, devices, and other objects throughout Asterisk.
- A heavily revamped version of AMI, focusing on improved channel semantics and consistency of event information.
- A new interface, the Asterisk REST Interface (ARI), which allows an external application to manipulate channels, bridges, and other telephony primitives directly.
What now?
This latest version of PiaF follows the software’s traditions of quick and easy installations. But because there are more than a few (over two dozen) configuration options, you’d do best to plan out your choices in advance. The definitive guide will walk you through all the necessary steps to get up and running with the new platform for newbies and pros alike.
