QUESTION What is the Delta between FreePBX and PIAF

[virshu]

As I was reading this thread, I was confused as well. I thought that PIAF is superset of FreePBX; however, now I know that there is FreePBX distro. Now it seems that both FreePBX distro and PIAF are supersets of FreePBX (but maybe not).

As I am troubleshooting various problems, it is very helpful to understand what component is giving me trouble. Asterisk part is pretty clear - engine itself plus configuration files. FreePBX is more or less clear as well - PHP, MySQL and separation of config files into _general, _custom, etc.

Unfortunately, I don't understand what belongs to PIAF. Is there a place that lists the difference and I just missed it (if I did, I will blame the meltdown of last weeks. Wiki, for example, takes me to this forum). The slideshow implies that PIAF is Linux + Asterisk CLI + Webmin + FreePBX (at least, it comes across that way).

And then, of course, there is Incredible PBX. Front page starts with what it adds to PIAF. Very clear, and very succinctly! Just perfect! Something like this in relation to PIAF vs FreePBX would be very helpful; I am sure not just for me!

 

[rossiv]

FreePBX is a web interface for Asterisk that keeps you from having to manually write all of the configuration files. PIAF is a combination of the FreePBX GUI, Asterisk, and CentOS, in addition to other small things, that make a working PBX. IncrediblePBX, as you saw, is an addon for PBX in a Flash that provides phone dialplan utilities and other goodies to spruce up your PBX - like a feature enhancement set.

The FreePBX Distro is a combination of the FreePBX GUI, Asterisk, and CentOS (? - Could be wrong there...haven't used it in a while). Like PBX in a Flash but IIRC it doesn't compile from source but installed from a package. There are a number of FreePBX Distro devs that hangout in the forums here that can clear that up.

Does that help?

 

[virshu]

That is very helpful. So, Asterisk and FreePBX are software components that can run on broad variety of platforms (Centos, Debian, etc.). Distro authors (FreePBX and PIAF) make specific decisions about OS, components, security decisions, etc (I know - I repeat what you guys said)

But this would mean that with a few notable exception (ARI; "why Webmin is not running on port 10000?"; Travelin man) - all questions should be asked in FreePBX forums; not here. Right? I know that Schmoozecom developers hang out here as well, and everybody is very friendly in both PIAF and FreePBX forums - so it's not a personality concern. Rather, it is "what's the right place to ask question without annoying the experts".

 

[rossiv]

Not necessarily. The PBX in a Flash forum is open for any questions when using the PIAF distro. I started out on the FreePBX forums LOOONG ago and asked too many PIAF-specific questions, so I migrated over here after being informed of its existence. It's best to post questions about anything in PIAF here because the PIAF developers are here, and they know best what has and hasn't been modified.

 

[darmock]

Well said guys.

Each distro has much to offer however each have their own approach to a myriad of things. I personally no longer have time to troll the freepbx forums for problems with PIAF. I have enough to do around here these days. However ask away if you are asking about something that would be better answered in the freepbx forums then you might get directed over there.


Tom

 

[GregKeys]

All in all an interesting read. For what it is worth, I have never had a question or issue that was not answered here. The combined knowledge base of the members here is huge. There are many forums out there that cover various pieces of PIAF. asterisk forums, freepbx, webmin, Linux, the list goes on and on. Some of those forums are good, others come across as hostile, especially to newbies. Here, you will find at least a 99% helpful factor, very little bickering or name calling, and a high tolerance for things like questions that have been answered many times. Very few questions go unanswered. This forum is the most helpful, friendly group of people of any forum I have ever participated in.

 

[phoneguy]

And the FreePBX folks stick our heads in here and help out when we can.