The alsa.conf file is used to configure Asterisk to use the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA) to provide access to a sound card, if desired. You can use this file to configure the CONSOLE channel, which is most commonly used to create an overhead paging system (although, as with any other channel, there are all kinds of creative ways this can be used). Keep in mind that the usefulness of the ALSA channel by itself is limited due to its lack of a user interface.[165]
[165] Yes, we are aware that the user interface to the channel interface is the Asterisk CLI; however, this is not usable as a telephone and therefore does not meet the criteria of an interface from the perspective of a telephone user.