With so many different linux distributions today, why should there be another one?

Easy. Asterisk is an application that is very different from many other services that run on existing, general purpose Linux distributions. Asterisk can run on almost any distribution with minimal changes. Asterisk runs perfectly on AstLinux out of the box!

With all of the convergence that has been happening in communications, large vendors like Cisco have started to design and sell Integrated Access Devices (IAD). These are basically souped-up versions of their usual low end routers with various modules and features to provide telephony services.

AstLinux combined with standard PC hardware (or readily available embedded boards), and PSTN cards from companies like Digium or Sangoma can provide almost all of the same features at a fraction of the cost of these products from vendors like Cisco. And because everything is Open Source, you have the freedom to modify the software as you see fit and use any hardware you chose.