Solved Current SBC on Raspberry Pi3 model B+

[Justin D]

We've been having a few issues with both internal calls and external calls since the recent updates (occasional very low volume, garbled speech etc) and I've just realised that our SBC is a Pi3 model B+ and not a Pi4, we've been using it for a few years and it's been rock solid.

Before doing anything else would it be worth changing it for the Pi4 and see how it goes? Would I have to do a setup from scratch or could I swap the card over from the existing?

Our 3CX is hosted in a VPS (on Ionos), we have four Fanvil X6's in the office (so nothing too elaborate or taxing) and our SIP provider is Gamma.

 

[Alphabetic]

We've been having a few issues with both internal calls and external calls since the recent updates (occasional very low volume, garbled speech etc) and I've just realised that our SBC is a Pi3 model B+ and not a Pi4, we've been using it for a few years and it's been rock solid.

Before doing anything else would it be worth changing it for the Pi4 and see how it goes? Would I have to do a setup from scratch or could I swap the card over from the existing?

Our 3CX is hosted in a VPS (on Ionos), we have four Fanvil X6's in the office (so nothing too elaborate or taxing) and our SIP provider is Gamma.

Did you see the reply on my thread you commented on?

Have you got any bridges too? If so, have you tried removing them and trying?

Is this every call? Can you replicate the issue?

Does it happen if you use the web client or STUN?

What is the hardware spec of your PBX?

Did anything change lately? an increase in BLF keys maybe?

You could try installing the SBC on Windows for the sake of testing.

 

[Justin D]

I did see your reply, but this thread was for a general question of whether the upgrade would be worth doing anyway (ie at what point do you move on from older spec'd hardware).

We have no bridges and we don't use the web client or STUN, I'll have to see if I can find time to try them.

I can't remember the exact spec of the VPS off hand, but the spec far exceeded the requirements required about a year ago, and the only changes recently have been the updates to 18 and the subsequent patches and 3CX supplied phone firmware. There's been no change to BLF's etc.

It doesn't happen on every call, I'd say two or three calls per day the past few weeks, but this week it has started to become more common. It can happen on both external and internal calls and, as I understand it, the audio part of internal calls doesn't leave the premises (ie it's all handled by the SBC?) then that naturally is the first suspect?

 

[VasilisV_3CX]

Hi @Justin D,

The guide states that one should have a Pi 4 when installing the SBC: https://www.3cx.com/docs/3cx-tunnel-session-border-controller/

So you may not need it, but it's advised. I'd always start an installation using the advised HW so that if anything does not work, you're welcome to make it our problem. If you use an unsupported setup, well... that'll be your problem to resolve.

 

[Alphabetic]

I did see your reply, but this thread was for a general question of whether the upgrade would be worth doing anyway (ie at what point do you move on from older spec'd hardware).

We have no bridges and we don't use the web client or STUN, I'll have to see if I can find time to try them.

I can't remember the exact spec of the VPS off hand, but the spec far exceeded the requirements required about a year ago, and the only changes recently have been the updates to 18 and the subsequent patches and 3CX supplied phone firmware. There's been no change to BLF's etc.

It doesn't happen on every call, I'd say two or three calls per day the past few weeks, but this week it has started to become more common. It can happen on both external and internal calls and, as I understand it, the audio part of internal calls doesn't leave the premises (ie it's all handled by the SBC?) then that naturally is the first suspect?

Can you tell me what switch your phones and SBC plug in to and how old is it?

To rule out the SBC, I would install it on a PC for a day or 2.

 

[Justin D]

The switch is a Linksys LGS108P and only has the four phones and SBC plugged into it, and then it's plugged into the router (Draytek 2860ac).

 

[Alphabetic]

Have ou

The switch is a Linksys LGS108P and only has the four phones and SBC plugged into it, and then it's plugged into the router (Draytek 2860ac).

You tried giving that a bounce?

 

[Justin D]

Right, I think I've narrowed this down - its only when we use the handset on the phones that we have the issue, using the speakerphone on the Yealink's and the mobile client it's fine.

Thinking back it may have really started to play up when I upgraded the firmware to the latest release, unfortunately I've deleted the previous firmwares to save space and it's been over a week now so the nightly backups would have been overwritten (assuming the firmwares were part of it).

Is there a quick link to get hold of the previous couple of firmwares to try to prove my theory?

 

[Alphabetic]

Right, I think I've narrowed this down - its only when we use the handset on the phones that we have the issue, using the speakerphone on the Yealink's and the mobile client it's fine.

Thinking back it may have really started to play up when I upgraded the firmware to the latest release, unfortunately I've deleted the previous firmwares to save space and it's been over a week now so the nightly backups would have been overwritten (assuming the firmwares were part of it).

Is there a quick link to get hold of the previous couple of firmwares to try to prove my theory?

What model?

 

[Justin D]

Yealink X6 V1.2

Although I've just had another thought, I wonder if it might be more basic and be the handset cords as the ones that are really playing up are the most used... I'll try swapping some cables around.

 

[Alphabetic]

Yealink X6 V1.2

Although I've just had another thought, I wonder if it might be more basic and be the handset cords as the ones that are really playing up are the most used... I'll try swapping some cables around.

You mean Fanvil X6?

I suppose that's one thing you could try. Seems strange how'd they'd all play up though.

What firmware would you like? I have a few.

 

[Justin D]

Sorry, yes, I meant Fanvil (I was thinking in my mind that I'd never previously had this problem with Yealinks lol!).

I think it would be the x6_2.4.11.z and x6_2.4.10.z, please, as the current one installed is 2.4.12

 

[Alphabetic]

Sent you download link in PM.

 

[Justin D]

Thank you, safely downloaded, I'll try them if the cable swapping hasn't worked!

 

[VasilisV_3CX]

Hi @Justin D,

Following up, is this issue still outstanding?

 

[Justin D]

Sorry, I forgot to provide an update.

I changed the handset cord on the real problem phone (without the user knowing) and they haven't complained since, therefore I think the cords are the actual problem and I'm going to order some replacements.

 

[VasilisV_3CX]

Thanks for the update @Justin D, I'll mark this as solved. If you run into any other issues, feel free to open a new thread.