Choosing a Windows operating system

3CX will run on most business editions of Windows, but there are some considerations for the different editions to take note of:

• Windows XP Professional

  I personally think that Windows XP Professional makes a nice small office 3CX Phone System server and is a great choice for a first 3CX install. It can be clean, lean, and mean. It is especially compelling when you have a network and have another server taking care of DHCP.

  For performance reasons, Windows XP Professional along with the Cassini web server should be used for systems with fewer than 20 users. Consider upgrading to a server operating system when you reach this number of extensions.

  
  

• Windows Vista Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate

  If you are using Windows Vista, make sure that your machine has plenty of resources and has User Account Control (UAC) turned off. Also, see that the firewall doesn't get in your way.

• Windows Server Standard 2003 and 2008

  This may be the best fit for a 3CX server in a slightly larger installation. Like SBS, it will include a robust DHCP server for provisioning phones using DHCP option 66.

  This is just in: Microsoft has just released another version of their Windows Server line called Windows Foundation Server. This server will have all the features of Windows Server Standard, be priced at Windows desktop OS price levels, and be limited to 15 SMB connections. In my opinion, IP PBX administrators will want to keep their eye on it!

  
  

  In fair disclosure I need to admit that I personally favor having discrete servers or servers doing one job. In an SBS environment it's so easy for different server applications running on the same server to conflict, whether it is over RAM or ports, or whatever. With a real-time server like a communication server, even a little delay, stutter, or chop can cause a user to give the phone system administrator a support call. However, remember this is a personal opinion.

  
  

  3CX is also supported on Windows Server 2008. Still, you'll need to ensure that the Desktop Experience role is enabled. Without this you will have no audio prompts, and this will make your phone system useless.

• Windows Small Business Server 2003

  Windows Small Business Server has a lot going on already, such as file sharing, Exchange Server, and Active Directory, so it can be potentially tricky to get yet another server running on it. However, it can be done, and 3CX will support it, too. My suggestion for a fi rst install is to try something simpler like Windows XP or Vista.