(Private Branch eXchange) An inhouse telephone switching system that interconnects telephone extensions to each other as well as to the outside telephone network (PSTN). A PBX enables a single-line telephone set to gain access to one of a group of pooled (shared) trunks by dialing an 8 or 9 prefix. PBXs also include functions such as least cost routing for outside calls, call forwarding, conference calling and call accounting. Modern PBXs use all-digital methods for switching, but may support both analog and digital telephones and telephone lines. See IP PBX and WPBX.
An Early PBX
This PBX began operation in Bangor, Maine in 1883. (Image courtesy of AT&T.)
A Field Switchboard
This portable commutator was a one-wire telegraphic switchboard for military field service in 1914. Made by Northern Electric (now Nortel Networks), it was one of the first communications products built for the battlefields of World War I. (Image courtesy of Nortel Networks.)
An Early PBX
This PBX began operation in Bangor, Maine in 1883. (Image courtesy of AT&T.)
A Field Switchboard
This portable commutator was a one-wire telegraphic switchboard for military field service in 1914. Made by Northern Electric (now Nortel Networks), it was one of the first communications products built for the battlefields of World War I. (Image courtesy of Nortel Networks.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2007 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Videoconferencing, Video Mail, IVR and Mobile Services Provided by iPBX Technology
- Private Branch Exchange PBX systems have traditionally connected private enterprises to the Public Switched Telephone Network PSTN using circuit-switched communications. iPBX or IP PBX systems, which use the Internet Protocol IP to carry calls over packet-switched networks, have become increasingly popular in recent years. iPBXs account for a significant majority...
- White papers 2008-04-16
- HD-Telephony: Hip or Hype?
- I recently interviewed Anthony Minessale, the author of FreeSwitch, the open source, class-5 switch. We got to speaking (actually, IMing) about high-definition telephony and how it fits into FreeSwitch. He had some pretty smart things to say about the area no surprise so I thought you might enjoy hearing about...
- Blog posts 2008-04-14
- VoxCenter (exe)
- VoxCenter, along with your VoIP service provider, lets you easily answer and place calls and track conversations right from your PC. Place outgoing and handle multiple incoming calls. One click hold and un-hold Keep detailed records and notes in your call log about each call and contact. Import Contacts from...
- Software downloads 2008-04-14
- The one thing Asterisk has been missing
- If you're like most folk, setting up a PBX is something you'd rather avoid, especially when its an open source PBX that isn't known for its easy configuration and installation. ISPBX aims to solve the pain with its drag-and-drop configuration tool, Cogoblue. Drag a few phone object...
- Blog posts 2008-04-11
- Will telcos accept an open source switch?
- Will telcos accept an open source switch?Yeswhen they can call it their own, make loads of money off of it, patent what they can to make their part future payment secure, and piggyback the rest like a free ride.RE: Will telcos accept an open source switch?How does this this product...
- Discussion threads 2008-04-09
- MAX IVR Studio (exe)
- MAX IVR Studio Features: Call key select menus and ability for caller to enter numbers data entry; Unlimited selectable out-going messages and menus; Fully programmable setup with examples; Call transfer subject to your company PBX features; Call simulator is included so you can test your system off-line; Extended message play...
- Software downloads 2008-04-08
- Opera Mini 4.1, Astraware game for S60, and more mobile software and services from CTIA 08
- Opera Mini 4.1, Astraware game for S60, and more mobile software and services from CTIA 08Version 4 was slowwwwI tried version 4.0 on my Treo 755p and it was unusably slow. Had to go back to 3. Will have to give 4.1 a tryRE: Opera Mini 4.1, Astraware...
- Discussion threads 2008-04-02
- Cuba Telephony Client for Remedy (exe)
- Cuba Telephony Toolkit for Remedy consists of a client and server. Cuba client communicates directly with a PBX telephone system via TAPI, CSTA, ASAI or a proprietary interface. Call Itel Office for information on obtaining and configuring the Cuba Server to telephone system link. The Cuba client runs on the...
- Software downloads 2008-03-31
- Rotten Apple
- Rotten AppleRE: Rotten AppleWhat a load of crap. Ever heard of capitalism? If you have a great product, it is your responsibility to market it effectively. That requires economic and political finesse, great timing, and a bit of luck. I'm forced to use Mozilla Firefox to...
- Discussion threads 2008-03-22
- The cheapest way to do VoIP is still analog
- The cheapest way to do VoIP is still analogVery interesting!But these are probably more than I need at home. kiddingThanks George for a good topic!WiringThe problem with splitting out to analog is all the wiring punch down that has to be done. Being able to use an IP phone...
- Discussion threads 2008-03-20
- The cheapest way to do VoIP is still analog
- What happens when you want to just want a bunch of phones in your business, hotel, or organization and you don't need a bunch of fancy and complicated features on the phone? It's simple, just get a bunch of cheap analog phones. But how do you build a phone system...
- Blog posts 2008-03-19
- Voice over SOA sounds promising -- will vendors deliver?
- Can SOA add automation and intelligence to the way calls and other communications are routed throughout the enterprise? This may be the next great frontier for SOA -- and, at long last, a tangible benefit of architecture for the business. Digital communications, enhanced by SOA ...
- Blog posts 2008-03-16
- VoIP: Cisco Goes to Number Two
- Love ‘em or hate ‘em you most certainly have to respect the VoIP folk over at Cisco. According to Infonetics, they've just moved into the number two spot behind Avaya in worldwide IP deskphone and softphone shipments. Cisco grew at the expense of its competitors. "Cisco took...
- Blog posts 2008-03-02
- Asterisk Voicemail for iPhone on way; here's a peek
- On his website, Asterisk developer Chris Carey posts an interesting preview of something he is building called Asterisk Voicemail for iPhone. Chris says Voicemail for iPhone will allow you to check your voicemail messages on your house or business line from...
- Blog posts 2008-02-29
- Linux-based Unison server to challenge Microsoft Unified Communications Platform
- A group of former execs from a Microsoft messaging hosting partner are going to launch a Linux-based unified communications platform that will compete directly against Microsoft. Unison, a two-year-old developer based in New York, plans to release into beta testing the Linux server and Windows client code...
- Blog posts 2008-02-27
- Sametime vs. OCS Act II
- Apparently my post comparing Sametime and OCS raised a few hairs. IBM PR dashed off an e-mail listing a bunch of points where they disagreed with the piece and the offering manager for IBM Lotus Real-Time Collaboration blogged about it as well. Thanks folk. Now here's where they were...
- Blog posts 2008-02-27
- Getting the Foundation Right - Unified Communications
- Enterprises have committed to IP telephony, and completing the conversion to VoIP is just a matter of time and money. VoIP equipment sales surpassed TDM in 2003, and Infonetics projects that 89% of worldwide enterprise voice lines will be IP-PBX based for calendar year 2008....
- White papers 2008-02-15
- Sametime and OCS Compared
- Brent Kelly from Wainhouse Research has done a great job comparing and contrasting Lotus Sametime and Microsoft OCS 2007. The biggest differences? Orientation and support for telephony. I've flushed details on Sametime's Unified Telephony that he wasn't able to cover and I've summarized the slew of functional differences...
- Blog posts 2008-02-13
- Enterprise IP PBX Buyers Guide: Features and Services That Matter
- This Buyer's Guide covers the main features, services and requirements for enterprise class PBX systems and how to understand the differences between them. Outgrown your old phone system â€" in terms of size, functionality and technology? The typical reasons for upgrading to an IP PBX system for...
- White papers 2008-02-12
- Compare IP PBX systems from leading vendors like Cisco, Nortel and Avaya
- This Comparison Guide features the leading PBX systems from established vendors like Siemens, Cisco, Avaya and Nortel as well as cutting edge systems form new vendors like Shoretel and Fonality. The Enterprise IP PBX market is rapidly changing to keep pace with the rapid technological and business...
- White papers 2008-02-12
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Process more data faster with high-performance LTO Ultrium data cartridges
-
Save up to 10% on Sun StorageTek Linear Tape Open (LTO) Ultrium data cartridges when you purchase a Sun StorageTek LTO 3 or LTO 4 tape drive.
- Get a great deal on Sun StorageTek LTO tape drives >>
- Which solar technology will survive?
-
At the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco, Todd Glass of Heller Ehrman moderates a discussion, among tech execs, on the various solar technologies making a difference in the green movement.
- Watch the video >>
- Performance Results: Intel Centrino with vPro technology and Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
-
"Intel® Centrino® with vPro™ Technology and the new 45nm Intel® Core™ Duo processor delivers greater than 2x the performance over older generation Intel® Centrino® components when your system is multitasking.
- View, compare, and get smart>>
- Business Software Center
- The Customer Collective: Join the online network for sales and marketing executives
- From our sponsors
- Oracle White Papers
-
- Data Grids and Service-Oriented Architecture »
-
- What's Required to Secure a Service-Oriented Architecture »
-
- Business Intelligence and Enterprise Performance Management »
-
- Making the Case for Oracle Database on Windows »
-
