Connecting 3CX to a Standalone PostgreSQL & Grafana

Introduction

This guide provides a concise process to connect your 3CX phone system to a standalone PostgreSQL database for use with Grafana for data visualization and reporting.

Step 1: Create a PostgreSQL

  1. Install PostgreSQL
  • Windows: Download the installer from https://www.postgresql.org/download/windows/ and follow the wizard.
  • Linux (Debian): sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y postgresql Verify cluster: pg_lsclusters. Create if needed: sudo pg_createcluster <major-version> main --start.
    Remember the postgres superuser password and installation details (port 5432 default).
  1. Create PostgreSQL User and Database
  • Windows: Open psql.
  • Then execute SQL :
                CREATE ROLE your_user WITH LOGIN PASSWORD 'your_password';
            CREATE     DATABASE your_db OWNER your_user;
  • Linux (Debian):

sudo -u postgres createuser <username> -P
        sudo -u postgres createdb <dbname> -O <username>

Replace your_user/username, your_password, and your_db/dbname as needed.

  1. Allow Remote Connections
  • Edit postgresql.conf:
  • Windows: Typically at C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\<version>\data\postgresql.conf. Set listen_addresses = '*'.
  • Linux (Debian): Typically at /etc/postgresql/<version>/main/postgresql.conf. Set listen_addresses = '*'.
  • Edit pg_hba.conf:
  • Windows: Typically at C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\<version>\data\pg_hba.conf.
    Add:     host    your_db         your_user        <allowed_ip>/<cidr>         scram-sha-256
  • Linux (Debian): /etc/postgresql/<version>/main/pg_hba.conf.
    Add:     host    <dbname>        <username>       <allowed_ip>/<cidr>         scram-sha-256

Replace <allowed_ip>/<cidr> to restrict access if needed, e.g., 0.0.0.0/0 for any IP.)

  1.  Restart PostgreSQL Service:
  • Windows: net stop postgresql-x64-<version> then net start postgresql-x64-<version> (as administrator).
  • Linux (Debian): sudo systemctl restart postgresql
  1. Grant Database Privileges
  • Windows & Linux: Open psql (Windows) or sudo -u postgres psql (Linux) and run SQL :
    GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE your_db TO your_user;

Use your configured database and user names.

Alternatively: Quick Configuration via script

Please note that these scripts might not be actively maintained and their use is at your own responsibility. Exercise caution when running scripts with administrative privileges.

Step 2: Configure Data Connector on 3CX

  1. On 3CX, navigate to Admin Console > Integrations > Data Connector
  2. Select "PostgreSQL Database" and enter the following:
  • Host: The IP Address or FQDN (if available) of the Host you installed PostgreSQL on.
  • SSL Validation: Whether the PBX should try to verify the remote SSL certificate.
  • CA Certificate: Shown only if SSL Validation is selected. Upload CA certificate.
  • Port: The database port (default: 5432).
  • Database Name: The name of the database you created in RDS.
  • Username: The master username you configured in RDS.
  • Password: The master password.
  • Data Types: Choose what data you want to have transferred.
  • Frequency: Set the frequency for data transfer from the PBX to your PostgreSQL.
  1. Save the configuration and click the "Test" button on your PBX to verify the connection to the PostgreSQL database and confirm that you receive a success message. If the test fails, double-check the host, port, database name, username, and password. Also, verify that any firewalls on the PostgreSQL host or network allow connections from your PBX IP.

Please note: You must have a 16SC+ license to use 3CX Data Connector.

Step 3: Connect Grafana to the PostgreSQL Instance

  1. Log in to your Grafana instance (e.g., grafana.com or your self-hosted Grafana).
  2. Go to the Grafana configuration menu (gear icon) and click "Data Sources" and click "Add data source".
  3. Search for and select "PostgreSQL".

  1. Configure the data source under "Connection", enter the following details:
  • Host: Enter the IP or FQDN and port of your PostgreSQL in the format: IP/FQDN:5432
  • Database: The name of the database you created on Step 1.
  • User: The username of the new user you created on Step 1
  • Password: The password you configured for your new user

  1. Click "Save & test" and verify that you receive a "Data source is working" message. If you encounter errors, double-check the connection details and SSL configuration. Also, verify that any firewalls on the PostgreSQL host or network allow connections from Grafana IPs.

See Also

Last Updated

This document was last updated 02 June 2026

https://www.3cx.com/docs/postgresql-configuration/