🚀 Getting Started with Asterisk: Career Scope and Comparing Open Source vs Proprietary VoIP Solutions
Asterisk is a powerful, open-source framework for building communications applications such as IP PBX systems, VoIP gateways, conference servers, and much more. If you’re looking to start a career in VoIP (Voice over IP), Asterisk is one of the most in-demand and flexible platforms you can learn today.
📞 What is Asterisk?
Asterisk is an open-source VoIP server software developed by Digium in 1999 and now maintained by Sangoma Technologies. It turns a regular computer into a communications server and powers everything from small business phone systems to complex call centers.
- Written in C
- Runs on Linux
- Supports SIP, IAX, and PSTN connectivity
- Free to use under the GPLv2 license
🛠️ How to Get Started with Asterisk
Getting started with Asterisk requires basic Linux knowledge and an understanding of VoIP fundamentals.
✅ Step-by-Step Starter Guide:
- Install dependencies:
- sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install build-essential libxml2-dev libncurses5-dev uuid-dev
- Install a Linux OS (Ubuntu/Debian/CentOS)
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install build-essential libxml2-dev libncurses5-dev uuid-dev4. Download and compile Asterisk:
wget http://downloads.asterisk.org/pub/telephony/asterisk/asterisk-20-current.tar.gz
tar xvf asterisk-20-current.tar.gz
cd asterisk-20*/
./configure
make && sudo make install
5. Set up extensions, SIP endpoints, and dialplans in /etc/asterisk/sip.conf and extensions.conf
Start Asterisk using:
sudo asterisk -cvvvvv
🎯 Career Scope in VoIP and Asterisk
VoIP is a booming industry as businesses migrate from traditional phone systems to internet-based calling. Asterisk expertise opens up a variety of roles:
🧑💼 Job Roles:
VoIP Engineer
Asterisk Developer
Telecom/UC Consultant
SIP/Network Analyst
Freelance PBX Setup Expert
📈 Industry Demand:
Used by call centers, telcos, schools, hospitals
Over 2 million Asterisk systems running globally
High demand in freelance platforms (Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer)
🔧 Skill Add-ons:
SIP protocol and Wireshark
FreePBX/Issabel GUI frontends
Integration with CRMs and APIs
Call recording, IVR, queues, conferencing
🆚 Open Source Asterisk vs Proprietary VoIP Solutions
| Feature | Asterisk (Open Source) | Proprietary Systems (e.g., Cisco, Avaya) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (no licensing fee) | High upfront and ongoing costs |
| Flexibility | Fully customizable | Limited customization |
| Support | Community + paid support available | Vendor support only |
| Scalability | Very high (cloud or on-prem) | Requires vendor hardware |
| Integration | API-level control with REST/AMI | Usually closed ecosystem |
| Maintenance | Requires Linux/CLI knowledge | GUI-based but locked-in |
| Popular GUI Frontends | FreePBX, Issabel, VitalPBX | N/A |
Verdict: Asterisk is ideal for custom, scalable, and affordable VoIP solutions, while proprietary systems are preferred by large enterprises with strict support policies.
🔗 Helpful Resources
- Official Asterisk Website
- Asterisk Documentation
- FreePBX for Beginners
- VoIP Career Path Guide
- VoIP Stack Overflow Community
📚 Related Posts on Calledge.Pro
- Setting Up Your First PBX with FreePBX
- Top 10 SIP Softphones for Testing Asterisk
- How to Start a Freelance Career in VoIP
📢 Final Thoughts
Asterisk is a career-launching, business-boosting technology. Whether you’re building an IVR, call center, or integrating telephony into your app — Asterisk has it covered.
👉 Start today, master VoIP, and unlock job opportunities worldwide.