Getting Started with Asterisk

Asterisk Kit Scene Getting Started

What is Asterisk?

Asterisk is an open source framework for building communications applications. Asterisk turns an ordinary computer into a communications server. Asterisk powers IP PBX systems, VoIP gateways, conference servers and other custom solutions. It is used by small businesses, large businesses, call centers, carriers and government agencies, worldwide. Asterisk is free and open source. Asterisk is sponsored by Sangoma.

Today, there are more than one million Asterisk-based communications systems in use, in more than 170 countries. Asterisk is used by almost the entire Fortune 1000 list of customers. Most often deployed by system integrators and developers, Asterisk can become the basis for a complete business phone system, or used to enhance or extend an existing system, or to bridge a gap between systems.

What Can You Do With Asterisk?

Asterisk is a framework for building multi-protocol, real-time communications applications and solutions. Asterisk is to realtime voice and video applications as Apache is to web applications: the underlying platform. Asterisk abstracts the complexities of communications protocols and technologies, allowing you to concentrate on creating innovative products and solutions.

You can use Asterisk to build communications applications, things like business phone systems (also known as IP PBXs), call distributors, VoIP gateways and conference bridges. Asterisk includes both low and high-level components that significantly simplify the process of building these complex applications. See the Asterisk Applications section for more examples.

Asterisk Code Laptop

How do you use Asterisk?

It depends. The Asterisk framework itself is built by developers for developers. If you want to create applications and solutions with Asterisk you will need a working knowledge of Linux, script programming, networking and telephony.

If you are not a developer, talk with Sangoma about using pre-built Asterisk solutions or finding an Asterisk integrator who can help turn your ideas into working solutions.

Attend one of Sangoma’s live, instructor led Asterisk classes

Take the Asterisk Essentials online training course

Read Asterisk: The Definitive Guide the comprehensive manual from O’Reilly Press

Discover why Open Source is the Future of Tech and Telecom

What Do I Need to Know To Use Asterisk?

It depends. The Asterisk framework itself is built by developers for developers. If you want to create applications and solutions with Asterisk you will need a working knowledge of Linux, script programming, networking and telephony.

If you are not a developer, talk with Sangoma about using pre-built Asterisk solutions or finding an Asterisk integrator who can help turn your ideas into working solutions.

Asterisk CTA

The Asterisk Community

Asterisk Forum

Ask the community of Asterisk users for help and feedback on issues, including support for installing, upgrading and running Asterisk.

Asterisk Documentation

The Asterisk Documentation site is the official source of documentation for the Asterisk project. Get access to detailed version updates to the project, including Asterisk 22.

Community Events

Ready to get involved? Locate a user group or Asterisk event near you and find out how you can participate.

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