Asterisk PBX: A Comprehensive View
Asterisk is an open source private branch exchange (PBX) system initially designed and developed by Mark Spencer from Digium way back in 1999. During the late nineties, Mark saw enormous business opportunity providing professional support to Linux operation system. He observes an urgent need for a call distribution system which is capable of distributing calls equally among his group comprising Linux experts. Unfortunately, the building of such infrastructure requires the expense of millions of dollar to his organization.
Moreover, it had required high-end programmers and system engineers. Hence, Mark decided to build his software to cater the need and the result was ‘Asterisk.’ He took advantage of steadily growing Linux operating system and capabilities of open source developments. In just a few months the mere concept transformed into reality. Linux provided the firm base for Asterisk, and global community of open source developer incorporates the feature into ‘Asterisk’ which were never incorporated in any communication product ever. When the Asterisk was launched, it was not much popular, but during in last decade, ‘Asterisk’ has developed a robust engine which is capable of managing 18% of new telephone systems.
However, here I need to make the thing lucid clear that ‘Asterisk’ is itself software. ‘Asterisk’ got its name from wildcard character Asterisk’ (*). It is just not a PBX but a robust engine on which plenty of systems and application are based. The source code of Asterisk is freely available that can be downloaded and compiled for use. I will demonstrate in my upcoming posts how to compile and install, configure the asterisk. And, to make it run you requires dial plan scripts, recording voice prompts, setting phones and interface cards and termination services. The configuration depends on the requirement because the features Asterisk software has grown quite big. And, most of the organizations configure only a section of Asterisk and use it. Asterisk works just a medium upon which you build custom solutions of the product.
The Asterisk Software has plenty of features that are available in PBX system. Some of these features include voice mail, interactive voice response, conference calling, and automatic call distribution. Asterisk has its extension languages by which users can create dial plan scripts. FreePBX and A2billing are two excellent examples of Asterisk built on Asterisk. However, they both have made on a common platform that is Asterisk, but these two have entirely different usages. The most common usage of FreePBX is to impart GUI ability to configure the Asterisk. Most commonly it is used by the call centers, software industries and other industries as well communication and collaboration are solicited either between employees or clients.
However, the usage of a2billing is slightly different. Mainly, it is a billing engine based upon the asterisk. It is used by the ITSP (internet telephony service provider) to take charges from their customers on per minute basis. It is widely used VoIP engine available in the market.
Please provide any feedback using the comments below, and I invite you to check out following posts.