Re: [PLUG] cisco or linux as router for T1

[Jim Foster <jif@computer.org>]

Sounds like I'm behind in my LJ reading.. :-)

Cisco offers an optional firewall version of IOS for their routers.

Not sure if your "hardware-based" comment was referring to the Rebel Router 
or not, but I would agree with not using a simple PC for many of the 
reasons already stated.  The Rebel Router seems to be a "hardware router" 
that happens to run Linux instead of IOS.

I'm not qualified to evaluate the Rebel (or products like it) on a 
technical basis.  But from an I/T management perspective I an intrigued by 
the idea.  We have Cisco switches, routers and firewalls here.  No one on 
my staff has significant IOS experience so we have to bring in a consultant 
for anything other than a minor change.  Cisco also charges for software 
updates.

I would rather train a sys admin in Linux instead of IOS.  It would also 
give us the freedom to update the SW on our own terms.

The product may (or may not) be flawed, but the concept seems valid.


At 06:33 PM 10/3/2002 -0400, you wrote:
> That article got some criticism.  See the letters in the following issue.
>
> Does the Cisco router have a firewall built in, or will Linux still be 
> needed for that purpose?
>
> I would think that a "hardware-based" router would be the better choice 
> for use with a business' T1.  A PC-based router could fail in many more 
> ways (drives, fans, etc.).  If they're going to pay for it, why not get 
> the Cisco?
>
> > Linux World just had a review of a Linux-based router.  It sounded pretty 
> > good and much less expensive than Cisco.
>
> --
> James I. Foster Jr.                         jfoster "at" silver-springs.org
> Information Technology Director,      Silver Springs - Martin Luther School
> 512 West Township Line Road                   http://www.silver-springs.org
> Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1099                                610-825-4440

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