Hosting on Windows Server vs Windows 10

[mgiara]

Hello!

I've decided to try and implement a 3CX VOIP system with YeaLink phones in the small business (10-15 employees) whose IT I've been given charge over.

I recently acquired a Dell PowerEdge T420 server to run Milestone's VMS, and love the idea of hosting 3CX on it, however Windows Server requires CAL's (individual licenses per client device that will access the server's resources. CAL's are not expensive at least for me, but they're not free either. (I get them for around $5 a piece)
A 16-core windows server also seems like overkill, however I have NO idea how resource-intensive 3CX's server-side software is.

I have a number of Dell Optiplex 9020m micro PC's that I setup for them as basic workstations. Since 3CX apparently is lightweight enough to run on a Raspberry Pi, I'm betting the i5/i7, 8-16GB RAM and SSD on the Optiplex Micro's will be far more than enough to host 3CX, and since they run Windows 10, I wouldn't have to deal with CAL's.

Does anyone have experience with running 3CX on Windows Server, and how exactly CAL's work? Would every hardphone be considered a client? Are hardphones and the PC connected to their passthrough RJ45 port considered a second client?

Thanks for your insights in advance!

 

[mgiara]

Based on the simplicity of setup and management, it seems installing 3CX on an Optiplex Micro is my easiest path.

I won't have to deal with CAL's nor have to look up the kind of databases Milestone's VMS uses in case it's MS SQL which will require extra effort in configuration.

Please let me know if I'm missing any other major points, and I will continue to update my 3 threads as I watch 3CX's official training courses on YouTube.

 

[Saqqara]

Take the licensing out of the picture use Debian version of 3cx. Debian version is more of install it and leave it running.

You have no management issues that you get with windows - patch management, upgrades of 3cx where you have to backup,, uninstall 3cx and reinstall 3cx

Installing Debian, just download the iso image and following the instructions https://www.3cx.com/docs/manual/installing-debian-linux-pbx/

 

[Evolute IT]

Debian is the best for this. Avoid licenses!

 

[mgiara]

Thanks guys!

Debian on the Optiplex 9020m it is!

I'm glad you guys laid that all out because I 100% would have tried installing 3CX on Windows as my first attempt.

 

[SteveITS]

I have NO idea how resource-intensive 3CX's server-side software is

https://www.3cx.com/docs/recommended-hardware-specifications-for-3cx/