> What does MT do that Star doesn't do in the routing arena? I'll add that both platforms have the same flaw. They use OpenSource, but then close the system. Seems kind of opposite the purpose. On a possitive note, I have to say, Mikrotik has really innovated their platform, with a lot of their own code and solutions, to solve problems that couldn't be solved using the previous alternative popular open source apps usually used for those purposes. My hats goes off to them.
But the risk that keeps popping up is... They aren't Cisco, in the terms of 1000's of top tier people to research and support development of their platform. Can we trust MT's or any small player's proprietary code, for the long haul? In the Open Source world, there is a clear answer to that, make it open source, and if the developer stops maintaining it, there is a way to get someone to take over maintaining it, without loosing the investment into the platform. I'm not saying companies like MT and STAROS should make their proprietary code into open source. But what I like is the ability to ADD packages to an existing platform. I can give an example, of a monthy ago, when I installed a MT router because , I thought the pretty GUI would make a good impression, but then 24hours later I had to pull it because there was no way for me to test the performance of the link remotely, easilly for my specific situation. I needed Iperf on the router. It was a better choice to use a standard Linux system, basic native routing, because it also enabled Iperf. MT and STAROS are two nice products, but this discussion doesn't stop there. For example ImageStream, even though a bit more expensive, they provide an Open system. Their OS is maintained and preloaded with a few bells and whistles. But you CAN LOAD your own code ALSO. Then there is Voyeta. Its based on 2.6 Kernal of Linux, and its 100% open source, and give the security of using a maintained OS (for example BGP and QUAGGA fixes). But you can pay extra for maintenance and quicker updates. MT and STARTOS, will stay winners for high end WIFI Radio CPE and APs. But when it comes to Core Routers, to stay competitive, they really need to open the platform, and allow third party modules to be loaded by owners or developers. Sure, there is the arguement that "CISCO DOESN"T DO THAT", but they aren't Cisco. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
