Popular Hardware for Asterisk Open Source PBX

Thinking of implementing Asterisk, Asterisk Business Edition or TrixBox (Formerly Asterisk @ Home)? Asterisk is growing in popularity as a viable alternative to often expensive, proprietary IP PBX solutions from tier 1 vendors. Asterisk is open source software which is maintained by Digium as well as a host of volunteer coders around the globe.

If you are new to open source telephony, below are a few good places to begin learning about these technologies:

Asterisk Open Source PBX

Asterisk WIKI at VoIP-Info.org

YATE – Yet Another Telephony Engine

With the advent of various GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces) for Asterisk, the barriers to entry for businesses and other users lacking Uber-Geeks in the backoffice are slowly being removed. Asterisk supports both SIP and IAX protocols for VoIP calling, with SIP being the most commonly used.

In addition to the Asterisk software and Linux variant operating system, you’re going to need some basic hardware elements to get started. Asterisk is commonly hosted on a server, which can be a desktop type PC, or a more industrial, rackmount type server.

Both Intel and AMD based machines will work. Configured properly, Asterisk is not an extremely “resource intensive” application, and can run on a fairly lean hardware configuration. A good base system would require:

  • Intel or AMD 2.0 GHz CPU
  • 512MB RAM
  • 20GB or Larger SATA or EIDE Hard Drive
  • CD-Rom, Video Card, Sound Card, 10/100 Ethernet Card
  • At least one free PCI or PCI-X Expansion Slot

Asterisk is commonly deployed in a “hybrid” scenario, with calls being placed via VoIP, as well as over the PSTN. Digium, Sangoma and Rhino produce PCI interface cards allowing for PBX connectivity to the legacy PSTN, as well as digital T1/PRI, E1 and ISDN/BRI. Analog cards are available with FXS Ports, FXO ports, or a combination of both. Additional upgrade modules providing echo cancellation are also available. Some Digium PCI cards require a specific voltage PCI slot, either 3.3V or 5V. Be sure to adequately research your motherboard prior to purchasing a Digium PCI board.

Asterisk supports the use of both IP enabled telephones, as well as traditional analog telephones used in conjunction with an ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter), Gateway or Channel Bank. IP Enabled telephones can be connected directly to the network, whereas analog telephones are going to require a bit of extra hardware to connect to your Asterisk server.

Popular SIP phones for use with Asterisk include:

In future posts, we’ll explore setting up Asterisk, and performing basic configuration on the various hardware elements involved.

Garrett Smith

Garrett is the former VoIP Supply CMO.

View Comments

  • If I want to run a completely internal system (not connected to the PSTN) and I want to have multiple phones hooked up to it, I need some kind of switch right?

Share
Published by
Garrett Smith

Recent Posts

Did You Know? VoIP Products Are Leading the Charge in Green Tech with Energy Efficiency?

In our gadget-loving, planet-hugging era, businesses are on the hunt for solutions that boost productivity…

4 days ago

Watch Now: 2024 October VoIP News Update

https://youtu.be/d167qfC_qCk?si=DVchHuXW_UT5dD8l Your October VoIP News Update is here! Tune in to get all the latest…

1 week ago

How To: How to Secure Your IP Paging System

Paging Dr. Smith, Clean Up Aisle 2, Johnny Report to the Office, Lost Car Key…

2 weeks ago

Shift from NEC to Sangoma: Powerful On-Prem Solutions for Business Webinar | October 2024

https://youtu.be/G8fuKPL8fSs?si=MIOeKuJM8S09K8px The time has come to make a switch from NEC, but we understand that…

2 weeks ago

October Hardware Roundup

S33 DECT Handset: Offers exceptional voice clarity and reliable connectivity for uninterrupted conversations. With durable…

2 weeks ago

Q&A: What Role Does Encryption Play in Protecting VoIP Communication?Q&A: 

I don’t know about you but when I heard the word encryption, I would think…

2 weeks ago