Date: Fri, 24 May 1996 00:24:48 -0500 (CDT) From: "Matthew N. Dodd" <winter@jurai.net> To: "Karl Denninger, MCSNet" <karl@mcs.com> Cc: Dennis <dennis@etinc.com>, hackers@FreeBSD.org Subject: Re: ISDN Compression Load on CPU Message-ID: <Pine.BSI.3.93.960523234754.23587C-100000@sasami> In-Reply-To: <m0uMihT-000IDOC@venus.mcs.com>
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On Thu, 23 May 1996, Karl Denninger, MCSNet wrote: > Tell me why Alternet, ANS, NearNet, Sprint, MCI, BBNPlanet, MCSNet, AGIS, > and nearly every other *real* ISP out there doesn't run these routers if > they REALLY are a better mousetrap. Ok folks, remember all the names here. His arguement against unix solutions has nothing to do with the typical router that those providers deal with. I'm pretty sure that there are a few BSDI/FreeBSD boxes doing routing at MAE-East though. I've got preliminary plans for my future network expansion and it involves FreeBSD boxes using 100Mb ethernet and FDDI to route internal networks to various transport backbones. I'll probably use cisco hardware to deal with the T3s, but it might be feasible to use sync cards to run dedicated T1 customers off of. > Tell me why my customers want to buy things like ASCEND P130s instead of > these boxes. Turn Key. (and walk away and ignore for the most part) > Show up at a public peering point with one of these "routers" and see how > many of the real players will trust the data coming from that hacked gated > and will peer freely with you. Then look at the thrash rate and explain how > you think you can route under convergence situations with anything > approaching a real (as in 34 - 45mbps HSSI-class) load without melting > completely. To be sure, but I build an 8 port ethernet router for less than $2000. Find me a cisco for that price. :) > In the end-customer locations where it is, the new products like the ASCEND > P130 blow the doors off a PC solution, are more stable, and *CHEAPER*. What routing protocols does the P130 support? Will it melt when you run the T1 full bore? I've heard things about the P130s that doesn't lead me to have much confidence in them. > LOTS cheaper. Maybe. > Build me an end-user router for $2,000 using your solution *INCLUDING* all > software, hardware, CSU/DSU, etc -- electrical RJ-45 T1 to Ethernet, > end-to-end. The SDL board *ALONE* is close to $1,000, and you haven't > bought a processor, RAM, disk drive, case, power supply, display, etc. I wouldn't propose a FreeBSD solution for most of the end-users we come across. On MY network I'll use whatever I think will do the job. > Oh, make sure you include BRI ISDN backup capability in that box. The P130 > does, fully integrated, dial-on-demand. I don't think its unusual for the Ascend to be a better solution for this problem. That doesn't mean that there is no place for unix based solutions. Failure to consider ALL options can be expensive. > Now figure the fact that the $2,000 P130 price is a LIST price, and is > typically discounted 20-30%, that this thing draws something like 18 > watts, and can literally be stuck on a wall near the Ethernet concentrator > that feeds your offices, while your "PC" requires not only a keyboard and > monitor (big and bulky) but draws a couple of hundred heat-producing watts > from the wall. I'm not going to use a PC as an office router. However, if I put together a firewall/mailhost/caching-proxy/WWW/FTP server, for an end user, it may be worth the $1000 to put the sync card on that box and have a one box solution. It all depends on what solution is best for the customer. For some problems FreeBSD is a viable solution to consider when you review all of your options. Have a good one. | Matthew N. Dodd | winter@jurai.net | http://www.jurai.net/~winter | | Technical Manager | mdodd@intersurf.net | http://www.intersurf.net | | InterSurf Online | "Welcome to the net Sir, would you like a handbasket?"|
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