Thursday, December 27, 2012

New Asterisk is Best Yet

By Saul Saresi


It may seem like only yesterday to the hardcore Asterisk fans out there since the first version of the ever popular software was released, but it has just celebrated its 13th birthday with the release of its great-great-great (etc) grandchild known as 'Asterisk 11'.

And the reviews look good, just as you would expect. But first a little background into what exactly it is, for those of you itching to know more. The software was developed to function as a telephone Private Bank Exchange (PBX) technology back in 1999 by a guy called Mark Spencer.

The system it uses to facilitate telephone calls is much the same as a standard PBX system, with the over-riding differences being that it is completely software based - routing all calls via network connections - and that it is available under a free licence as well as a paid for one.

The latest version boasts incredible support and functionality for Web Real Time Communication (Web RTC) links - the highlight feature of the new software - which allows Asterisk users to make and receive phone calls directly from their web browsers.

Internetnews.com's senior editor Sean Michael Kerner believes that: "Web RTC is something that holds amazing promise, and I strongly suspect that Asterisk 11 will be one of the defining infrastructure technologies that enables that promise to become a reality".

But there are many other great and revolutionary features that helps set this version apart, namely a set of integrated technologies that enable live media streams to be established for software agents operating behind securities such as firewalls, known as 'Ice, Stun and Turn'.

Regardless of the level of innovation and increased performance offered by Asterisk 11, it will, still, be the domain of the specialised few and not the masses, due to the difficulties and dedication required to get it up and running for the majority of businesses.

So if you are the kind of business that would benefit from Asterisk, chances are you already know that and you are already utilising its technology and have been for some time. And if you think that this may be for you then now is the perfect time to try it and find out for yourself. But for the rest of us out there, it is simply not necessary and a good quality, ITSPA service provider will serve you just fine.




About the Author:



No comments: