Asterisk[1] 是一个开放源代码的软件VoIP PBX系统，它是一个运行在Linux环境下的纯软件实施方案。Asterisk是一种功能非常齐全的应用程序，提供了许多电信功能，能够把你的x86机 器变成你自己的交换机，还能够当作一台企业级的商用交换机。Asterisk让人激动的事情是它在小企业预算可承受的范围内提供了商业交换机的功能和可伸 缩性。你可以使用一台老式的奔腾3计算机，让你的机构看起来就同世界上的大企业一样。 -Asterisk is an open source, converged telephony platform, which is designed primarily

to run on Linux. Asterisk combines more than 100 years of telephony knowledge into

a robust suite of tightly integrated telecommunications applications. The power of Asterisk

lies in its customizable nature, complemented by unmatched standards compliance.

No other PBX can be deployed in so many creative ways.