Will an open source router replace your Cisco router?

[Montero84]

Hello,

I found this article and I am wondering... what do you think?, is it something we should try or take really serious?... I love Cisco but, Open source world is growing.. but I would like to know what people think..

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6163569.html

Thanks!

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Montero84,

I would not worry much about it - businesses pay more for Cisco EVERYDAY because it is CISCO and the 24/7 support behind it - lots of companies make cheaper networking equipment, but for some reason people keep buying Cisco!!!

And if you are talking the FREE aspect - "The Community Edition—the standard Vyatta version—is free. However, there's no support included, and bug fixes are available only every six months." Companies pay top dollar for equipment so they have support and also so they have someone to sue when things go south

I do not know any network admins that are going to base the network infastructure on free, unsupported products and when you start paying Vyatta why not go with Juniper, HP or any of the other cheaper networking platforms!!

It was an interesting article at Tech Republic!!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[Kajitora]

Hmm,

I would say it could fill the roll for small shops. But our Smartnet bill is normaly higher then our equipment bill =P. Like CiscoGuy33 said, its all about the support.

~Kaji
CCNA,MCP,A+

 

[10010010]

I actually replaced a Cisco 3700 and pix firewall with a Dell server purchased from ebay running the VC4 release of Vyatta.

We went this route because we were migrating from our server closet to a colo facility and upping our bandwidth to a Gigabit connection. There wasn't a Gigabit Ethernet WIC available to upgrade our 3700 (that I could find) and the nearest model with Gig Ethernet our Cisco rep could offer up was over $2000. That was without a support contract.

We didn't have a super complicated configuration, but after getting comfortable with the cli, the Vyatta seemed to work better (easier) than the combination 3700 and pix. I like the fact that its a linux-based system so scp, grep, wget, and other tools are right there on the router.

 

[unclerico]

looks like something I'd use at home, but as the old saying goes "nobody got fired for buying Cisco"...or something like that. We've moved away from Cisco switches at our access layer just because we've found the HP ProCurves to be a very good, if not better, alternative to Cisco. With that said, I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, trust the core of my network or the perimiter of my network to anything but Cisco. Some people like to have their router be from one vendor and their firewall(s) be from another just to make sure that security vuls found in one aren't found in the other...

I hate all Uppercase... I don't want my groups to seem angry at me all the time! =)
- ColdFlame (vbscript forum)

 

[CiscoGuy33]

10010010,

As in your case it will work for some people and some companies - that is why Linux firewalls, IDS's, servers, VoIP setups and routers are out there and will always have a niche.

However, people will ALWAYS pay to get Cisco, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, HP, IBM and a host of more expensive options because of the 24/7/365 support AND they have a large company to sue when it does not go as stated!!

It always comes down to what your business is, what it is worth to you and what do you have to loose if the worst thing happens and do YOU feel safe with the support YOU are getting, if you feel safe then these options will work for YOU!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[silverhairb]

I can't comment on firewalls, but I have formed an opinion over the years regarding consumer-grade routers vs. Cisco routers:

I've had all kinds of problems with consumer-grade routers. Its not necessarily the quality of the software, it seems to be the quality of the electronic components. These low-end routers fail because they use cheap capacitors, resistors, voltage regulators, etc. and run them (or maybe even a little above) their ratings. They are built to a price point and just fail over time making the router just another piece of junk.

OTOH, Cisco components seem to be better built and appear to operate well-within their design limitations. The small 8XX series of routers just purr along running cool and never seem to need a reset. Just set 'em and forget 'em.

Sure there are open source products that may provide similar functionality. But IMO and for my money, I'd prefer the reliability and support even if it does cost a little more. I have a couple of very demanding user that don't tolerate a lot of problems or downtime: my wife and I.

That said, we did have one D-Link switch over the years that lost some if its ports. But it was old and tired when we got it. Most of the switches in our home now are HP Pro-Curve 1400G and 1800G. Solid, but not the fastest gun in Dodge.

[the other] Bill

 

[burtsbees]

The small shops may benefit from the Open SOurce stuff, but Cisco SmartNet is really geared toward larger customers. There is the support thing...and trusting super sensitive data to something with no support? No thanks!

Burt

 

[baddos]

Not only the tech support and software updates you get from going cisco, but you also get a known product that if you need to get a new IT guy or consultant, they will know your network.

Cisco is an expensive platform, but it has a good total cost of ownership over the life of the equipment. What you pay upfront for, ends up paying dividends over the life of the equipment.

 

[silverhairb]

baddos wrote:

"Cisco is an expensive platform, but it has a good total cost of ownership over the life of the equipment. What you pay upfront for, ends up paying dividends over the life of the equipment."

For our use, along with their overall reliability, that's really the bottom line. Not even considering the reliability, it doesn't take many Linksys, 3Com OfficeConnect, D-Link and/or Netgear router failures to make up for one 800-series Cisco. When reliability is factored in, the choice is obvious.


[the other] Bill

 

[CiscoGuy33]

Bill,

Just to make it clear, he is not talking about SOHO/ home consumer products like Linksys or D-Link, he is talking about free or low cost LINUX software running on a dedicated PC.

Even when going the route of 10010010, or Montero84 and using an older dedicated PC (like a Dell) with Vyatta, IPCop or mOnOwall or any of the other FREE LINUX based routers, firewalls or other network device which can be as stable as Cisco by using a server with redundant PS and NICs etc. The question will always come up as to WHO is doing updates and how often do you get them using the FREE version. Some of these are projects at the whim of the people using the devices, who work on these in their spare time

FREE is not always important in the business world, something I tried to explain to one of LINUX guys at work. He did not get that it is very important, more so then cost $$$ that someone is doing R & D on bugs, hacks and other things that need to be constantly updated. This goes hand-in-hand with the 24/7/365 support that is also needed.

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +