Introduction

Setting up and installing any kind of PBX server isn t easy. Adding Asterisk to the mix does simplify some areas, but further complicates others. Asterisk is flexible, but this flexibility creates many options that can overwhelm a novice. Everything from picking out a server, picking a phone setup, to picking an install method can leave you in awe of the options available. Let s not sugarcoat it: Asterisk is hard.

Choosing hardware is a key decision and not one that can be taken lightly, because if something goes wrong with the server or the phones, productivity is lost. Making the proper decision on a server, choosing phones for the users, and selecting the network configuration can mean the difference between a happy user base and a group of angry users outside your office with pitchforks and torches.

Even choosing a method to install Asterisk is filled with options, such as Live CDs, Asterisk Linux distributions, binaries for your operating system, or compiling from scratch. And there is no correct option either. Each method has benefits and drawbacks, and each one suits certain situations differently than others. Making sure you choose the right method of installing can save you a lot of heartburn later.

If you re scared right now, don t be. While Asterisk isn t easy, it is nowhere near impossible. While Asterisk may have a high learning curve, once you become familiar with its intricacies, everything suddenly starts to make sense.

Choosing Your Hardware

One of the first things to do...