Date: Sun, 26 May 1996 19:04:12 -0500 (CDT) From: Joe Greco <jgreco@brasil.moneng.mei.com> To: dennis@etinc.com (Dennis) Cc: smd@cesium.clock.org, hackers@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: The view from here (was Re: ISDN Compression Load on CPU) Message-ID: <199605270004.TAA28410@brasil.moneng.mei.com> In-Reply-To: <199605262309.TAA07129@etinc.com> from "Dennis" at May 26, 96 07:09:46 pm
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> >There are definite and obvious advantages to being able to > >use a UNIX-using PC (or Sun SPARC) as a low-to- > >moderate-end router. Making up stories about Cisco > >products in particular is not necessary to prove that > >point, and it doesn't really detract from the obvious > >disadvantages of using a PC instead of a dedicated router, > >both technical and non-technical. > > This would be fine, except that many of the "obvious" advantages > are horse-nonsense (like the moving parts BS). The issue > is that unless your talking very high density or very high end, > the "advantages" are mostly propaganda. > > your (ridiculous) allusion to the "Sun Sparc" is a clear indication > that you just dont get it. The advantages of a PC are the high power/ > low cost ratio, modularity and availablilty of low cost subsystems, > and mass production cost attributes of virtually all componants, as well > as the wide variety and functionality of inexpensive software, virtually > none of which are attributes of the Sun Sparc. I've pretty much stayed out of this battle even though it was very tempting :-) For what very very little it is worth, I can clearly see both sides of this debate. I would scold Dennis for not mentioning that with a PC based solution, it is very easy to hack on the software (not much harder to hack on the hardware). Other than that, he has pushed all my favorite hot buttons. In particular the "ready availability of components" and "modularity" arguments are hard to counter from the dedicated hardware side. I just upgraded one of my routers, from an aging 386DX/40 with NE2000 (T1 router) to a 486DX5/133 with PCI 21040-based Ethernet for a mere $220. That is about an 8x boost in processor and a very large upgrade in Ethernet capability :-) I would agree that a specialized router will work wonders under many environments. I would agree that a PC based solution is not for everyone. Other arguments about reliability, etc., are mainly a function of peoples imaginations, as I can show you an equally shitty dedicated router and PC solution side by side. PC's can be set up with serial consoles. Dedicated routers can have poor firewall performance. Blah on it all. Which one is better suited to a situation is largely a matter of site preference. I don't plan to buy a Cisco any time soon. I like having source. I like having a very competent group of hackers to maintain a great IP stack. I like my homogeneous FreeBSD environment. I like the inexpensive components and incredible stability afforded by intelligent hardware purchase decisions. I like my solution, for my own uses. Whoopie fricking ding. I don't think anybody gives a s***. It is one of those "Which is better, Winlose95 or NT" battles. Each has applications. Neither is perfect. ... Joe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe Greco - Systems Administrator jgreco@ns.sol.net Solaria Public Access UNIX - Milwaukee, WI 414/546-7968
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