What is a PBX?
PBX
(Private Branch eXchange )
is a private telephone network typically used by a company or an
organization. The PBX can switch or route calls so that
users can communicate with each other inside the network by
extension dialing. Phones also connect
externally to traditional telephone companies (PSTN) or over the
Internet using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
Companies operate their PBX switch to assign extensions to the users phones so that they can be utilized for calls inside the network.
PBX phone switches, can be digital, analog, or IP. Many are hybrids, allowing several different types of connections.
Calls can also go directly to that extension by calling the compan's' main number from outside and then the extension. Companies may also obtain additional telephone numbers and/or a group of DID (Direct Inward Dialing ) numbers. Groups of DIDs are offered by telephone companies to their customers as a part of their service package. When calls are placed to a DID, they then get routed directly to a particular phone, person, or other endpoint inside the organization.
An older PBX cabinet (KSU).
PBXs
can incorporate analog or digital technology. Analog and digital
systems connect to phones using traditional telephone wiring. Ethernet
cables are needed for IP phones. IP-PBXs can employ a combination of
these technologies to connect to traditional PTSN services
and VoIP providers. Some IP-PBX switches use only VoIP and
connect only through an Internet connection, typically using SIP (Session
Initiation Protocol). These IP-PBXs are frequently referred to as "VoIP appliance." They utilize services from a SIP provider who then
sends calls to and from the customer's VoIP IP-PBX employing SIP trunks.
What is a Cloud PBX?
A cloud PBX is where the PBX switch resides off premises, out in the Internet cloud, which can be hundreds of miles away. This is also known as hosted VoIP. The switch then handles all the functions and features of the business phone system just like a traditional IP-PBX. The IP telephones connect up to the hosted PBX which then routes calls both in and out of the organization. The switch also manages all the features, like call forwarding, voicemail, and auto-attendant for example. Two users can be at totally separate physical locations, but call each other by an extension number, exactly like in an office. More: What is a Cloud PBX