For call center administrators and IT teams, maintaining optimal system performance in VICIdial is critical to ensuring smooth call routing, real-time reporting, and uninterrupted agent operations. One of the essential maintenance tasks in VICIdial is refreshing the server, which clears cached settings, reloads configurations, and ensures that system updates take effect without requiring a full reboot.
VICIdial provides the server_refresh API, which allows administrators to dynamically refresh the VICIdial server without manual intervention. Instead of logging into the server via SSH or manually restarting services, this API helps in automating the refresh process, ensuring system stability and reducing downtime.
Why Use the server_refresh API?
✅ Refresh VICIdial server settings without rebooting
✅ Apply configuration changes instantly
✅ Clear cached settings and reload updated campaign data
✅ Automate server maintenance tasks for call center stability
✅ Prevent performance degradation caused by outdated settings
In this tutorial, we will cover:
🔹 How the server_refresh API works
🔹 How to configure and authenticate API access
🔹 How to construct and send API requests
🔹 Examples using a browser, cURL, and Postman
🔹 How to interpret API responses and troubleshoot errors
🔹 Best practices for using the server_refresh API efficiently
Let’s get started! 🚀
Understanding the server_refresh API Function
The server_refresh API allows administrators to refresh the VICIdial server dynamically without performing a full restart. This API is useful for:
✔ Reloading system settings after making changes
✔ Applying new configurations without rebooting the server
✔ Refreshing real-time data processing for campaigns and agent settings
✔ Clearing temporary caches to optimize performance
Common Use Cases for server_refresh API
🔹 Updating server settings after modifying campaigns or system configurations
🔹 Preventing slowdowns caused by outdated system cache
🔹 Ensuring real-time reporting remains accurate and up-to-date
🔹 Automating server refreshes in scheduled maintenance workflows
🔹 Applying agent, call routing, or extension changes immediately
Step 1: Prerequisites for Using the API
Before using the server_refresh API, ensure you have:
✅ VICIdial installed and configured
✅ An API-enabled user account with administrative permissions**
✅ VICIdial server access credentials
How to Enable API Access in VICIdial
1️⃣ Log in to the VICIdial Admin Panel
2️⃣ Navigate to Admin > Users
3️⃣ Select the user who will access the API
4️⃣ Set API Access to 1 (Enabled)
5️⃣ Set User Level to 8 or higher** (Admin-level access) 6️⃣ Add server_refreshto the **Allowed API Functions** (or set toALL`)
7️⃣ Click Save Changes
Now, your user is authorized to perform server refresh operations dynamically using the API.
Step 2: Constructing the API Request
The VICIdial API uses HTTP GET requests, meaning you can access it via a browser, cURL, or API tools like Postman.
Base API URL
🔹 Replace your-vicidial-server with your actual VICIdial instance.
Required Parameters for server_refresh API
| Parameter | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
function |
Specifies the API function (server_refresh) |
server_refresh |
user |
VICIdial API username | admin |
pass |
VICIdial API password | 1234 |
source |
Identifier for tracking API calls | ServerMaintenance |
server_ip |
The IP address of the VICIdial server to refresh | 192.168.1.10 |
Step 3: Sending the API Request
Method 1: Refreshing the Server via a Web Browser
Simply enter the following URL in your browser (replace credentials accordingly):
🔹 Press Enter, and the API should refresh the server.
Method 2: Refreshing the Server via cURL (Command Line)
For developers, cURL is a convenient tool for making API requests. Use the following command:
🔹 This will return a confirmation message indicating the server has been refreshed.
Method 3: Refreshing the Server via Postman
1️⃣ Open Postman
2️⃣ Set the request type to GET
3️⃣ Enter the API URL
4️⃣ Click Send
5️⃣ The response should display the confirmation message for the server refresh
Step 4: Understanding API Responses
If the request is successful, VICIdial returns a response confirming the refresh operation:
Breaking Down the Response
| Response Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
SUCCESS |
The request was processed successfully |
Server 192.168.1.10 |
The server that was refreshed |
Refreshed Successfully |
Confirmation message |
Step 5: Handling Errors & Troubleshooting
| Error Message | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
ERROR: USER DOES NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO USE THIS FUNCTION |
Insufficient API permissions | Ensure user level is 8+ and API Access is enabled |
ERROR: INVALID USERNAME OR PASSWORD |
Wrong credentials | Verify API username and password |
ERROR: SERVER IP NOT FOUND |
The specified server does not exist | Ensure server_ip is correct |
ERROR: NO FUNCTION SPECIFIED |
Missing function parameter | Ensure function=server_refresh is included |
Step 6: Best Practices for Using the server_refresh API
✅ Schedule periodic server refresh operations for optimal performance
✅ Use this API after making changes to campaigns, extensions, or server settings
✅ Restrict API access to authorized users to prevent accidental refreshes
✅ Monitor system logs to verify that refresh operations are applied correctly
✅ Integrate with a maintenance scheduler to automate refresh operations
Conclusion
The server_refresh API function is an essential tool for maintaining VICIdial system stability and performance dynamically. Whether you’re reloading system settings, applying real-time configuration changes, or automating maintenance tasks, this API provides a fast and efficient way to refresh the VICIdial server without requiring a full restart.
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