>I always see people asking for Linux/Unix sims for BGP >or just to simulate a router in General. I for the life of me can't >figure out why a Linux router could be better than a 2501 and >it would cost me more to build a Linux box.
Depends whether you are comparing apples and apples. I'm building a training simulator with, among other things, both Linux boxes and 2501s. I need the Linux boxes (BGPsim or Zebra) to do things like generate AS-paths longer than I could with a number of 1-AS-per-box routers, generate flapping routes, and to be able to modify the routing code. In the immediate requirement for training traffic generators, I don't need code modification, but in my work on BGP convergence, I need to be able to insert certain precision timestamps, and also control the order in which updates are transmitted. Some of my research colleagues when I was at Nortel, for example, built a router test lab in which all the BGP test senders and receivers were LINUX boxes running Zebra, but with code hooks to a precision clock. OTOH, even in this lab environment, I use the 2501s either to look like POPs that connect by frame relay to user pods, or, seemingly counterintuitively, to simulate Tier 1 providers that are only receiving highly aggregated routes (understand I'm working with hundreds or 1000 routes as a DFZ full table). I don't think there are many people who will have a requirement to get into the guts of routing or PIX code in their certification studies, but it is a potential approach. PC-based routers can compare to a low-end router, but their bus/memory structure and lack of hardware forwarding cards cause Ciscos and Junipers to leapfrog them as more performance is required. >I see the same with >wanting to build a PIX with a PC and you can get a 501 and >possibly even a 506 cheaper than build it out of a PC? >Rick If you already have a suitable extra PC, that can be a good reason. Otherwise, I will admit that a **UX implementation doesn't necessarily add value unless you need to get into the code. Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=46105&t=46088 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
