[ale] Choke point (or when to bring on router)

Transam transam at cavu.com
Wed Mar 20 15:32:14 EST 2002


> Have you looked at adding intelligent NICs to offload processing a bit? 
> that way you could keep the advanced routing techniques only available
> thru linux but not overload your machine.  Just saw an ad or article in
> a Jan Linux mag about this.  Showed an NIC with a small RTOS that took
> care of alot of processing.  You have to have a 2.4.x kernel.

> Dow

The guidline I've heard is that a decent Pentium (800 MHz or better)
with Linux can keep up with a T3 with no trouble (unless you're doing
VPN or very complex IP Chains/IP Tables rules).  Even a 100 MHz 486
will keep up with T1.

Of course, doing the actual measurements over a direct 100 Mbaud network
isn't a big deal to do.

Bob Toxen
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> Bob Kruger wrote:
> > 
> > Folks;
> > 
> > Got a couple of questions for those who run large throughput capacity
> > systems as a router and a firewall.
> > 
> > At what volume of traffic would you consider replacing a Linux box that
> > serves as a router and firewall and replacing it with dedicated hardware
> > like a Cisco?  Does anyone have any tips on tweaking a system to
> > maximize throughput?
> > 
> > Regards - Bob Kruger
> > 
> > ---
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> -- 
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> Kennesaw State University         Dow.Hurst at mindspring.com
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> *********************************

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