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Distributed System Deployment ​

This guide provides an overview of VoipNow distributed system deployment, where the system runs across multiple nodes (virtual machines or containers) to achieve massive scalability beyond single-node capabilities.

"Professional Deployment Required"

Deploying and managing a distributed VoipNow infrastructure requires highly advanced knowledge and expertise. We strongly recommend contacting 4PSA support for professional installation guidance and assistance.

If you are not certain about distributed deployment, consider the Single Node Deployment, which is flexible enough to support thousands of users.

Why Choose Cloud Deployment? ​

Cloud-based distributed deployment is the preferred approach for VoipNow distributed systems. Here's why:

Key Advantages ​

  • Scalability on Demand: Easily provision and scale virtual machines based on your needs without upfront hardware investments
  • Resource Flexibility: Adjust CPU, memory, and storage resources dynamically based on node roles and workload
  • Reduced Infrastructure Management: Focus on your business while the cloud provider handles hardware, networking, and maintenance
  • Cost Efficiency: Pay only for resources you use, with the ability to scale up or down as needed
  • High Availability: Leverage cloud provider's built-in redundancy, backup, and disaster recovery capabilities
  • Global Reach: Deploy nodes in multiple regions for better performance and redundancy
  • Faster Deployment: Provision new nodes in minutes rather than weeks

VoipNow distributed systems work well with major Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) providers such as:

  • Amazon EC2
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • Other compatible IaaS services

"Cloud-First Approach"

While you can deploy on your own infrastructure, cloud services eliminate hardware concerns and provide the flexibility needed for optimal distributed deployment.

Understanding VoipNow Cloud Architecture ​

Before planning your deployment, it's important to understand the key concepts of VoipNow's distributed architecture.

Infrastructure ​

The Infrastructure represents the physical or virtual layer that supports VoipNow. This can be:

  • Bare-metal servers, switches, routers, and storage systems (on-premises)
  • Virtual infrastructure provided by IaaS services (cloud)

Container (Node) ​

A Container (also called a Node) represents a virtual computing instance with its own:

  • Computing power and memory
  • Storage
  • Network addresses
  • Operating system

Containers are:

  • Flexible: Can be started, stopped, and have resources changed dynamically
  • Scalable: Easy to add or remove based on workload
  • Network-enabled: Given at least a network address (private, public, or both)

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Do not confuse our container terminology with specific virtualization techniques. Our containers are abstract entities that can be deployed using any virtualization technology (VMs, containers, etc.).

Role ​

VoipNow nodes are specialized by function. Each node is assigned one or more specific Roles that define what services the node provides. The key distinction is:

  • Node: The addressable logical entity (the container/VM that runs the service)
  • Role: The software service functionality assigned to a node

When you configure VoipNow, you configure roles. These roles run on nodes, which are abstractions of the hardware or virtual machines.

Common Roles ​

Common roles in a VoipNow distributed system include:

  • Database: Handles database functionality and data storage
  • Web Management Interface: Provides the web-based administration interface
  • SIP: Handles SIP signaling for telephony functions
  • PBX: Provides Private Branch Exchange functionality
  • Worker: Handles background processing tasks
  • Media: Handles media processing and transcoding
  • Interface Controller: Manages the cloud infrastructure (required for distributed deployments)

Role Assignment ​

  • A single node can run multiple roles, or roles can be distributed across dedicated nodes
  • Roles are managed through the Cloud Management interface
  • This role-based architecture allows you to scale specific functions independently based on your needs
  • You can add, remove, or reassign roles as your infrastructure requirements change

System Requirements ​

Infrastructure Requirements ​

For distributed deployment, your infrastructure (cloud or on-premises) must support:

  • Virtual Machine Provisioning: Ability to easily create and manage virtual machines
  • Flexible Hardware Specifications: Different node roles require different CPU, memory, or I/O resources
  • Network Configuration: Both public (routable) and private (non-routable) networks
    • Private networks keep internal traffic secure
    • Public networks expose only customer-facing services

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The public network can be accessible using a carrier-grade NAT layer.

Operating System ​

For detailed operating system requirements and compatibility information, see the Hardware Compatibility List.

Operational Requirements ​

"Required for Distributed Deployment"

Monitoring and central logging are required for distributed VoipNow installations. With multiple nodes in your infrastructure, you need centralized monitoring and logging to:

  • Track system health across all nodes
  • Identify and troubleshoot issues quickly
  • Monitor performance and resource utilization
  • Maintain audit trails and compliance
  • Correlate events across the distributed system

"Recommended Management Tools"

Linux management tools are highly recommended for managing distributed VoipNow deployments. Tools such as Ansible or SaltStack help you:

  • Automate node provisioning and configuration
  • Maintain consistent configurations across nodes
  • Deploy updates and patches efficiently
  • Manage infrastructure as code
  • Reduce manual errors and deployment time

Getting Started ​

"Contact 4PSA Support"

For installation, configuration, and deployment assistance, please contact 4PSA support. Our experts can help you:

  • Plan your distributed architecture
  • Determine the optimal node configuration
  • Guide you through the installation process
  • Provide ongoing support and optimization

Managing Your Cloud Infrastructure ​

Once your distributed system is deployed, use the Cloud Management interface to manage your VoipNow cloud infrastructure, including nodes, roles, and resources.

Additional Documentation ​

For detailed technical information, refer to:

Last updated: Feb 2, 2026