Why Not PC-Based router?

[imran_mcse]

Somebody has asked me question that if we only want to use router for controlling broadcast traffice on WAN links and just control the routes between different networks, then we can use windows based or linux based OS as a router with OSPF or IGRP enabled.

So why people go to purchase Cisco routers only for above purpose(not any extra purpose).

Pls help me in this to mention that why to use Cisco routers instead of OS based routers.

[rais]

OS based routers, esp. Linux/BSD based, are perfectly fine and they work. Some networking companies, like Juniper, use BSD as their core OS.

The big problem is WAN-LAN interface. You mostly don't get all types of PC interfaces, for T1, T3 etc., you need to connect WAN to your LAN. Similarly, routers are designed keeping inter-networking in mind, PCs aren't.

HTH.

[scottmac]

The main reason, I'd suppose, is reliability.

If you're only doing some LAN routing and broadcast control, you're right: both would work.

The problem there is that most people looking to use PCs for routers are, um....frugal(CHEAP!!). Not only do they look to reduce cost by using PC hardware, they look for the cheapest / most minimalist PC they can find .... then they get the cheapest NICs, find some freeware (or bootleg) and off they go...

Contrast that with the number of old (really old) Cisco (and other) routers still up and in production LAN/WANs (i.e., Cisco 2500s,4000, Nortel ASN, AN routers, etc).

The dedicated router hardware is built for low maintenance, high Mean-Time-To-Failure. The components are selected for reliability in a broad range of operating conditions (PCs are -usually- not).

If your business can can tolerate frequent (more frequent) hardware failures (the PCs and NICs), reduced performance (cheap NICs / bad drivers), occasionaly reboots for crash recovery (Windows OS), and the need to frequently patch for security (Windows OS) ..then certainly, a PC can probably fit the bill.

Most businesses need the higher reliability of a dedicated platform - time down is usually money lost - more money than the cost of a dedicated platform.

Worse case: find a used / refurb router; something with a warranty ... or at least available parts. Cisco components are everywhere at reasonable prices (read: eBay).

That's my take on it, FWIW

Scott

[joyride_us]

Hi,

I would simply add that the risk of using a PC(Linux is that an idiot who is not aware that this PC is a vital router as well might just shut it down, install an application that will take all the CPU time and RAM...and other enjoyable stuff : a dedicated box as a router is safer!

[Tsasbrink]

I could add that you will not be able to find a distribution with igrp as it is not an open standard.

And i have not come across any distribution with does support as mutch features as ios does.