Multiple customers on a same server ?

[vincen]

Hi

I run already a self-hosted server for a customer. Is it possible to use that same server for an other customer with a different licence ? or do I need mandatory a separate server ? Both customers have absolutely no link between them !

PS Why I can't post in self-hosted section while I have well a self-hosted server in my 3CX account ??

Thanks for clarification,

Vincèn

 

[kent3]

You have couple options, depends on your internet setup.

If you have 2 static WAN IP addresses or more, you can run each 3CX on virtual servers, with a VLAN setup, this will require 2 licenses.

If you dont have multiple static IP, VLAN setup etc then 3CX has MultiCompanyMode, you need to enable this in Setings -- Parameters, see attached.

 

[VoIPTools]

What @kent3 is proposing is setting up two virtual servers running on the same hardware (VM Host). By implication, he is saying you can not run two copies of 3CX on the same instance of Windows or Linux. Each 3CX server must reside in a isolated environment using a dedicated OS for each, and each copy of 3CX will require a separate license.

Personally, I think the industry has moved away from dedicated hardware for all but the few rare situations where the customer demands complete control over the entire environment (usually for security and privacy reasons). From your description, this does not sound like your situation. So, my recommendation would be to spin up a small Linux VM on Amazon or Google or some other provider (3CX), and host your 3CX there. You will have far better redundancy, and have no hardware to support and manage. Frankly, your cost for electricity and insurance alone will be more than the cost of hosting a small VM on Amazon.

For those considering hosting servers for your customers at your place of business, be aware that your building insurance will have to include coverage for customer data and that is very expensive. Hosting your customer's data comes with a significant financial risk. Whether hosting on Amazon mitigates your obligation for insurance is another question.

 

[SteveITS]

Why I can't post in self-hosted section while I have well a self-hosted server

Bit of a detection issue apparently... https://www.3cx.com/community/threads/can-only-post-where-you-have-a-license-system.118970/

Also IIRC the MCM mode is not supported or encouraged. There are also groups and group permissions but there are still potential issues such as conflicting company holiday schedules and dialing each others' extensions.

 

[vincen]

Hey guys (@kent3 @VoIPTools @SteveITS )

Thanks for your detailed answers and so it makes it very clear that I have to install one 3CX instance per customer to avoid any issues and it's the only way to do it properly It's not really a problem as it's already what I'm doing with our company instance that runs on a little dedicated PC running Linux and it works perfect like that since 2 years
I'll just order additional similar machines at datacenter to host each customer on its own

Thanks for all

Vincèn