Linux To Power Super Router

VE3OGG writes "While Cisco might not be shaking in its multi-billion dollar booties, a couple of network experts have decided to see if they can come up with a possible alternative to Cisco. Termed 'Open Linux Router,' and joining such other ambitious projects as the Extensible Open Router Platform (XORP), the Open Linux Router project aims to compete in the realms of Cisco routers and PBX. Some of the features include SSL web interface, serial console, wireless support, VLAN support, and packet filtering."

Re:College kids...

[Anonymous Coward]

When you are looking at filtering, Cisco access lists really aren't cutting it. Even the Linux iptables, which you apparently consider inferior to pf, really shines compared to access lists.

Also, not all applications require killer hardware. The user may want to route over a DSL line, and typical PC performance is more than adequate for that.
In fact, a PC has so much more performance than the central processor of a typical Cisco router, that in case central processor activity is required the PC will always win hands down. Only the hardware-assisted routing on a Cisco can outperform a PC, but that often does not matter.

Try to run a couple of IPsec tunnels and/or datacompression on a Cisco. It will require extra help in the form of a plug-in encryption module. The PC will do that no sweat.

The original article's writers...

[c0l0]

...obviously don't know what they're talking about all too well.

Other Linux-based projects targeting firewall and network server include ClarkConnect, IPCop, m0n0wall, and Smoothwall.

Unless m0n0wall hasn't switched kernels, they're still using FreeBSD as their basis.

"Super" = lots of features?

[Ingolfke]

I was expecting to read about a router that could compete with Cisco's hardware based on performance, not features. It looks like an interesting project for smaller shops or routing applications that aren't business critical... maybe more of a competitor to low end routers and all-in-one appliances, not enterprise routers. It doesn't look like it has any stateful failover capabilities.

Piece of bullsh**

[Anonymous Coward]

The website of this wonderul "Super Router" is http://www.openlinuxrouter.com/ [openlinuxrouter.com]

It's a bullshit news - there is NOTHING DONE YET. The project is IN PLANS and I don't know how it could be better than e.g. m0n0wall [1] or Lintrack [2]

[1] http://m0n0.ch/wall/ [m0n0.ch]
[2] http://www.lintrack.org/ [lintrack.org]

Re:College kids...

[Lars T.]

Also, not all applications require killer hardware. The user may want to route over a DSL line, and typical PC performance is more than adequate for that.
In fact, a PC has so much more performance than the central processor of a typical Cisco router, that in case central processor activity is required the PC will always win hands down. Only the hardware-assisted routing on a Cisco can outperform a PC, but that often does not matter.

Sure, but how would this qualify as a "super router"? That's like claiming a PC is a super-computer because most people don't need anything more. Heck, you even admit that a PC will go to its knees when you dare use it for Routing.

Re:"Super" = lots of features?

[Bert64]

Well, running on a PC-based architecture will never be able to compete with high end routing devices, regardless of software.
Perhaps a multi socket opteron system with network interfaces connected via hypertransport, but not much short of that. The way PCI buses are designed makes them very poor for routing large amounts of data around. There's no way that any current system could outperform a catalyst 6500 at the same price point.