What is Asterisk?
Asterisk is an open source communications platform that turns a standard computer into a powerful telephone system. It can function as a PBX, IVR system, conference server, voicemail server, and more.
Created in 1999 by Mark Spencer at Digium (now part of Sangoma), Asterisk has become the foundation for millions of phone systems worldwide. It powers everything from small office systems to large enterprise deployments and carrier-grade solutions.
Key Point: Asterisk is the engine that powers other PBX systems like FreePBX, Issabel, and VitalPBX. These add user-friendly web interfaces on top of Asterisk.
Brief History
- 1999: Mark Spencer creates Asterisk at Digium
- 2004: FreePBX project begins, adding web interface
- 2010: Asterisk 1.8 LTS released with major improvements
- 2018: Sangoma acquires Digium
- 2024: Asterisk 21 LTS - current stable version
Key Features
- ✓ PBX functionality
- ✓ IVR/Auto attendant
- ✓ Voicemail with email
- ✓ Call recording
- ✓ Conference bridges
- ✓ Call queues/ACD
- ✓ SIP trunking support
- ✓ Codec transcoding
- ✓ Custom applications
- ✓ API integrations
Asterisk vs FreePBX
| Aspect | Asterisk | FreePBX |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Telephony engine | Web GUI for Asterisk |
| Configuration | Config files, CLI | Web interface |
| Learning curve | Steep | Moderate |
| Flexibility | Maximum | High (with modules) |
| Best for | Developers, custom apps | Most businesses |
Recommendation: For most users, start with FreePBX. It uses Asterisk under the hood but provides a much easier management experience.
Common Use Cases
Small Business PBX
Replace expensive proprietary phone systems with a flexible, low-cost solution.
Call Centers
Queue management, agent routing, real-time statistics, and call recording.
IVR Applications
Automated phone menus, surveys, appointment reminders, and more.
VoIP Service Providers
Build your own hosted PBX platform or calling service.
Getting Started
Hardware Requirements
- ✓ Small office (1-10 users): Any modern PC, 2GB RAM
- ✓ Medium (10-50 users): Dedicated server, 4GB RAM, SSD
- ✓ Large (50+ users): Server-grade hardware, 8GB+ RAM
Next Steps
- 1. Install FreePBX or Asterisk on a VM or dedicated server
- 2. Get a SIP trunk from IPComms
- 3. Configure extensions and routing
- 4. Connect IP phones or softphones
Ready to Connect Asterisk?
IPComms provides SIP trunks optimized for Asterisk and FreePBX. Free test trunks available.