Release 1.0
Digium, Inc.
Page 19
Chapter 1: Overview
What is Asterisk?
Asterisk is the first open-source telephony platform. Since it runs on
Linux, it inherits all of the power and stability of that operating system.
The name Asterisk is derived from the all-inclusive “wildcard” symbol in
UNIX. It is representative of the wide range of opportunities it opens for
developers worldwide to create solutions which would otherwise be cost-
prohibitive.
Asterisk allows you to create a PBX solution that rivals the features and
functionality of traditional telephony switches. Current PBX solutions are
expensive and proprietary. International companies are discovering that
Asterisk is cost effective, low maintenance, and flexible enough to handle
all of their voice and data networking. Combined with Digium hardware
and a common PC, anyone can replace an existing switch or complement
a PBX by adding VoIP, voicemail, conferencing, and many other
capabilities. Asterisk will integrate with most standards-based IP
telephone handsets and software. Analog phones and ADSI-screen
phones are also supported.
