I would like to purchase a second laptop to install Asterisk to experiment with it. But before doing that, I would like to get my doubts clarified.
From my Google search, I think all these stuff, like Asterisk, FreeSwitch, FreePBX, etc, are some sorts of Unix-based software. They are not the actual hardware, like a physical OBi110 box. And they have some obvious but rarely mentioned limitations ---- They cannot connect to a PTSN line, like a Bell Canada landline, and also I cannot attach a traditional corded/cordless telephone to it.
To make/receive calls via Asterisk, I must use microphone/speaker, or USB/SIP phone, or smartphone ( through WiFi ).
Is it true?
If so, then I think the usefulness of Asterisk is severely reduced ( in a typical family environment ), and remains a basement hobby project forever.