A route is a set of external numbers within one outbound group, all using the same peers, and sharing a common prefix. When an outbound call is made, the route with the longest prefix that matches the called number is used. The outbound group for the route is used to bill the call, and the call is delivered to the peer for the route.

For example, a system could have "UK" and "UK land lines" outbound groups, with "UK" having route 0044 and "UK land lines" having routes 00441 and 00442. If a call is made to '00441234567890', the route that is used is 00441, as it is the longest matching, and the group used for billing is thus "UK land lines".

Routing can also be done based on callerid. If two routes have the same called number prefix but different callerid prefixes, the route with the longest matching callerid prefix will be used. Called number length has priority over callerid prefix length, so a longer called number prefix will always be used even if it has a shorter callerid prefix.

To add a new route

1. Log in to the Enswitch web interface.
2. If you haven't already done so, make an outbound group and a peer for the route.
3. Go to System » Routes.
4. Click the "New" button.
5. Enter the following:
   • The called number prefix for the route.
   • The minimum and maximum length of the called number to match.
   • Optionally a callerid prefix.
   • Which media types to match. All else being equal, "Voice" and "Fax" routes will have priority over "Voice and fax" routes.
   • Optionally a description.
   • The outbound group to use for billing.
   • Whether resellers may override this route in rate plans.
   • The primary peer to send calls to. If you select "Least cost", the system will automatically choose the cheapest peer with a price set for the appropriate outbound group.
   • The backup peer. If the primary peer refuses the call, the call will be sent to the backup peer. If you select "None", no backup will be used.
   • The second backup peer. If both the primary and backup peers refuse the call, the call will be sent to the second backup peer. If you select "None", no second backup will be used.
6. Click the "Save" button.

Please note that if the primary peer accepts the call but then fails to deliver it to the desired destination, the backup peers will not be used as Enswitch has no way of differentiating this from a successful call.