Fonality announces the beta release of trixbox 2.4, the latest version of the Asterisk-based telephony platform that has become synonymous with open source telephony and home to the largest Asterisk-based community. trixbox 2.4 incorporates the newest releases of CentOS 5, Asterisk 1.4 and FreePBX 2.3 for broader compatibility, choice and usability. trixbox 2.4 is beta software and timing of the general release will be gated by stability of Asterisk 1.4, as well as integration of all of the components and testing to ensure that it is ready for deployment in a demanding production environment.

For greater compatibility, this release gives trixboxers the option to deploy trixbox on CentOS 5 compatible hardware and reduce install time with the 100 percent Red Hat Package Manager Installer. For greater choice, trixbox incorporates Asterisk 1.4, the latest release from the Asterisk community. The new version of FreePBX 2.3 included in trixbox 2.4 also improves usability with new features including an updated flash operator panel and an improved FreePBX landing page with more status information.

trixbox 2.4 beta, like previous versions of trixbox, includes a host of stable and reliable packages and applications, including Apache, a modified version of Asterisk, FreePBX, Flash Operator Panel, MySQL, phpMyAdmin and SugarCRM. trixboxers who prefer a hardened and supported version of trixbox can still download and use trixbox 2.2. Other key features included in trixbox 2.4 include an automatic back-up and restore system and DHCP manager.

“Listening to the trixbox community is our first priority. They wanted to see Asterisk 1.4 incorporated into trixbox, so we are delivering just that. This beta release is just the first step,” said Andrew Gillis, trixbox founder at Fonality. “And, by having trixbox 2.4 based on CentOS 5, trixbox is compatible with the newest hardware on the market.”

The release of trixbox 2.4 is just one of the latest improvements in a series of updates for both trixbox itself and the community. In recent months, Fonality has added service and support for trixbox, the trixStore, the trixbox Buyer’s Club, additional Fonality trixbox Open Communication Certifications (FtOCC, pronounced "F-talk") and the popular trixbox Appliance that was awarded four stars by PC Magazine and was named a 2007 TMC Labs Innovation award winner.

FtOCC courses consistently sell out and have proven to be a useful and important way for Asterisk resellers to get practical, hands-on experience with the latest software developments, and also share best practices. There are two upcoming FtOCCs scheduled; FtOCC at ITEXPO will take place in Los Angeles on September 10-12, 2007 and FtOCC London will take place in London from October 9-11, 2007. To register for FtOCC go to http://www.trixbox.org/ftocc

For more information on trixbox or to download trixbox 2.4 for free, go to www.trixbox.org.