Upgrading to FreePBX 17
- Kapil Gupta
- Lorne Gaetz (Unlicensed)
There is no direct inline upgrade path available for upgrading from any previous FreePBX versions to FreePBX 17 or PBXact 17.
The recommended upgrade path from any previous FreePBX version to FreePBX 17 is to use the "Backup & Restore" module. To do this, create a backup of your existing FreePBX system and then restore the resulting backup archive to a newly installed FreePBX 17 system.
FreePBX 17 comes with Asterisk 21 by default, which does not support chan_sip. For guidance on using FreePBX 17 with chan_sip, please refer to the wiki page Using FreePBX 17 with chan_sip .
How to Back Up Your FreePBX System
Following these steps will ensure that your new FreePBX 17 system has the same configuration as your existing setup.
How to Create a Backup from FreePBX 15/16
How to take Backup from FreePBX 15 / FreePBX 16 -
To take a full backup of your FreePBX 15+ system, use the Backup & Restore module. For detailed instructions on configuring and creating a full backup, please refer to the Using the Backup module for FreePBX 15+ wiki on Using the Backup Module.
How to Create a Backup from Legacy FreePBX (2.x/13/14)
To take a full backup of your FreePBX 2.x/13/14 system, use the Backup & Restore module. For detailed instructions on configuring and creating a full backup, please refer to the Using the Backup module wiki on Using the Backup Module.
How to Restore a Backup to a FreePBX 17 System
Please refer to the “Restore” steps as mentioned in the Backup and Restore Version 15+ | Restore wiki.
Chan_sip to PJSIP Conversion During Data Restoration
The restore functionality in FreePBX 17 has been enhanced to support converting chan_sip devices to pjsip during the restore process. Switching to pjsip is highly recommended.
Steps to Follow When Restoring Data to FreePBX 17 which will restore the data and convert the chan_sip devices/trunks to pjsip as well.
Chan_sip to pjsip conversion option will only be visible if FreePBX 17 is running with Asterisk 21.
Restore via GUI
If attempting to restore a backup archive that contains chan_sip extensions and/or trunks, then the restore process will stop and prompt the admin to choose betweenContinue - Automatically convert the chan_sip extensions/trunks to their pjsip counterparts and continue with the restore or …
Cancel - Abort the restore completely which will allow the admin to downgrade asterisk and make the necessary config changes to continue using chan_sip (not recommended)
Restore via CLI
CLI also will give the similar prompt while restoring data.
Challenges and Solutions When Restoring to FreePBX 17 Due to Asterisk 21
The supported FreePBX 17 install script sets up a new system with Asterisk 21 by default. Asterisk 21 does not support:
chan_sip device driver
Macro dialplan application
Due to these limitations, restoring data from previous FreePBX systems may present challenges, such as:
Custom dialplan or AGI scripts using macros will not work
chan_sip devices and trunks will not function.
Macros to GoSub
Users must manually update their custom dial plans or AGI scripts to convert all macros to GoSub to ensure compatibility with Asterisk 21.
Chan_sip to PJSIP Conversion
Convert all chan_sip devices and trunks to pjsip during the restoration process.
Using FreePBX 17 with a Different Asterisk Version
If you're not ready to use Asterisk 21, you can follow these steps to switch the Asterisk version before restoring your data:
Install FreePBX 17, which by default comes with Asterisk 21.
Use the "asterisk-version-switch" tool to change the Asterisk version to any version lower than 21 that supports both chan_sip and macros.
Restore your data.