The preferred method of connecting to the FreeSWITCH console is by using the fs_cli program, where fs_cli stands for FreeSWITCH Command-line Interface. This program comes with FreeSWITCH as part of the default installation, and works with Linux/Unix, Mac OS X, and Windows. What is less known about fs_cli is that it is an excellent example of an ESL program. Beyond that, anything that you can do with fs_cli can also be done with ESL and the event socket.
Tip
Keep in mind that when you are logged in to fs_cli, you can do anything that you can do on the FreeSWITCH console, including shutting down the system and disconnecting any calls. So, exercise appropriate caution when using fs_cli.
Naturally, the first step in mastering external control of FreeSWITCH is to become familiar with fs_cli. Indeed, it is one of the most important tools for interacting with your FreeSWITCH server.