Asterisk

Asteriskos

Asteriskos

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Asterisk is an open-source framework for building communications applications. Asterisk turns an ordinary computer into a communications server. It powers IP PBX systems, VoIP gateways, conference servers, and is used by SMBs (Small and Medium Businesses), large enterprises, call centers, carriers, and governments worldwide. Asterisk is a software implementation of a telephone private branch exchange (PBX). It allows attached telephones to make calls to one another and to connect to other telecommunications networks. Asterisk supports several VoIP protocols, including SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and IAX (Inter-Asterisk eXchange), and can interoperate with most SIP telephones, as well as PSTN lines.

History

Asterisk was created in 1999 by Mark Spencer of Digium, primarily to help his business avoid the costly purchase of a proprietary PBX system. The software has since evolved, benefiting from contributions from open source developers around the world. Its flexibility and adaptability have made it a popular choice for many businesses looking to implement a cost-effective and customizable communications solution.

Features

Asterisk includes a wide range of features that can be utilized in a communications system. These include voicemail services with directory, call conferencing, interactive voice response (IVR), and call queuing. It also has support for various codecs, allowing for the compression and decompression of voice data, and can handle translation between different media formats. Additionally, Asterisk can integrate with databases, web services, and various other applications to create advanced communications solutions.

Architecture

The architecture of Asterisk is modular, with its core providing the basic functionality upon which modules can be loaded to extend its capabilities. This design allows for a high degree of customization, enabling users to add or remove features as needed. The system can be controlled through several interfaces, including a command-line interface (CLI), a graphical user interface (GUI), or through external applications using its Application Programming Interface (API).

Deployment

Asterisk can run on a variety of operating systems, though it is most commonly deployed on Linux. Its flexibility and open-source nature mean that it can be installed on everything from small, single-computer systems to large, multi-server configurations. Deployment considerations include the choice of hardware, network setup, and the specific needs of the application, such as the number of users, call volume, and required features.

Community and Development

The development of Asterisk is supported by a vibrant community of users and developers who contribute to its ongoing improvement. The project is hosted on GitHub, where contributors can submit bug reports, feature requests, and patches. There is also an extensive ecosystem of third-party add-ons and plugins, which extend the functionality of Asterisk in various ways.

Conclusion

Asterisk has revolutionized the way businesses think about communications, offering a powerful, flexible, and cost-effective alternative to traditional PBX systems. Its open-source nature not only fosters innovation and collaboration but also allows businesses of all sizes to benefit from advanced communications technology.