Installing a 3CX SBC (Session Border Controller)

What is the 3CX SBC?

If you have a larger network with more than 10 phones, then it's better to install a dedicated 3CX SBC service.

The 3CX Session Border Controller (SBC) is a software service that installs in your local network to allow easy connection of IP Phones to a 3CX instance in the cloud or a remote on premise 3CX. The 3CX SBC combines all SIP (signaling) and RTP (media) VoIP Packets from one location and delivers them to 3CX, thereby overcoming common firewall and networking issues that affect reliability.

You will need to assign the device/machine running the 3CX SBC a Static IP. This machine must be running all the time!

When is an SBC overkill?

If your network has less than 10 phones, we recommend using an IP phone that is SBC capable, referred to as a router phone. The following phones can be used as router phones:

• Fanvil V62, V64, V65 
• Fanvil X4U-V2, X5U-V2, X6U-V2, X7-V2, X7C-V2, X210-V2 and X210i-V2
• Snom D862, D865
• Yealink T53, T53C, T53W, T54W, T57W and T41U, T42U, T43U, T46U, T48U.

If you have a single remote phone that you wish to connect to your 3CX in the cloud, consider using the 3CX iOS and Android Apps instead. 3CX Apps are the modern way to connect to a phone system. The user can use it anywhere in his home, or indeed even outside, and it will save configuration and maintenance.

Step 1: Download the 3CX SBC

Install the 3CX SBC on any of the following OS / Devices:

• Windows 10 / Server 2016 and up - download 3CX SBC for Windows
• Debian Linux using the 3CX ISO, download the 3CX SBC Debian ISO 

Step 2: Add the SBC in 3CX

1. Login to your 3CX Web Client, Admin Console
2. Go to “Admin”, “Voice & chat” and press “+ Add SBC”
3. Select the type of machine you are going to use
4. Your SBC will be created and you will see a pop up with the instructions on how to install it, a provisioning URL and Auth ID.

Step 3: Install the SBC

1. Set a Static LAN IP on the machine you are going to install it on.
2. Start the installer. If Raspberry Pi 5, follow this guide
3. Click “Next”, accept the “License Agreement” terms and click “Next”.
4. Select the 3CX SBC install location and click “Next”.
5. Enter the “Provisioning URL” that you were given when you created the SBC. Click “OK”.
6. Enter the “Authentication Key ID” and click “OK”.
7. The SBC will now be listed when a user creates a normal phone that requires a router phone or an SBC to connect to 3CX.

Step 4: Provision your IP Phones

Once your SBC is installed, you can provision your IP Phones. See this guide how.