FreeSWITCH is a complex system of moving parts that are integrated to produce a solid, stable core with flexible and easy-to-extend add-ons. The core extends its interfaces to modules. The modules also can bring outside functionalities into FreeSWITCH by translating various communication protocols into a common, abstract, internal format. We looked at the various module types, and demonstrated how they revolve around the core and interact with each other to turn simple abstract concepts into higher-level functionalities. We described a few of the more popular applications in FreeSWITCH-the conferencing and voicemail modules and how they, in turn, make use of other modules without ever knowing it. This agnosticism is accomplished by means of the event system. We also saw how the demonstration configuration provides several working examples to help take the edge off of an otherwise frightening feat of staring down the business end of a full-featured soft-switch.
In the following chapter, we will take our first steps towards getting a FreeSWITCH system up and running.
