[asterisk-users] Asterisk on Windows

[Patrick Lists]

Probably feeding the trolls but here it goes.

On 12/04/2013 04:19 PM, CDR wrote:
> Digium is 100% lost in the map. If they would come up with a Paid
> version of Asterisk, one that would use the .NET framework in Windows,
> something simple to install, they could go public on the product.

IIRC Microsoft no longer invests in the .Net framework which makes it a
bad idea for a product that would live for up to 10 years. Do you really
want to bet your business/company that .Net will be there in 5 to 10 years?

> Linux has a very steep learning curve. A Windows application that
> would do exactly the same would be a home run. 

I find Linux easier than Windows. Installing a package on Linux or
Windows is not the issue. How is a simple 'yum install asterisk' any
more difficult than double clicking on it in Windows? It's what you do
afterwards with the OS and package. Asterisk has a much steeper learning
curve than either. It's easy to mess up the config and suffer the
consequences if the box is Internet facing. Also, Windows has a terrible
reputation when it comes to security. Why would anyone want to use
Windows for an Internet facing service? There's a reason that Google,
Facebook, Twitter and pretty much the rest of the world are powered by
Linux and it's not only because it's cheaper.

Just because you find Windows easier does not make it a good idea.

> Note: I am a Linux
> expert user, but it took me years to get here. And still, moving from
> regular RHEL 6.0 to Fedora 20 (RHEL 7) is a pain in the neck.

There is probably a saying about people calling themselves experts and
then complain about a move from EL6 to F20 which is puzzling by itself.

> The .NET
> framework and Windows server 2012 are miles away in terms of
> friendliness and on equal footing on performance.

I have yet to see a large Telco or ITSP deploy their services on
Windows. A while back I have seen some attempts. It was hilarious to
hear that the servers had to be restarted every few hours. Performance
totally sucked, components would crash and the solution was, even by
telco standards, ridiculously expensive. So no, they are not on equal
footing when it comes to performance (and other aspects).

> I don´t mean another
> slow cygwin port, I man a native Asterisk for windows. In fact, I
> would invest on the project if somebody wants to do it.

If you really want to use Windows then have a look at FreeSWITCH as it's
available on Windows too. Then there is also Lync and 3CX. Good luck
keeping your Windows boxes from getting hacked with all the financial
and other damage it would cause.

Regards,
Patrick