Feisty Cisco displacer, open-source networking software vendor Vyatta, has announced the availability for downloading of its latest Linux-based networking software release:
 "We have proven the performance and reliability of our open-source networking solution in large, demanding networks, making Vyatta a no-brainer alternative to over-priced, inflexible, proprietary products," said Kelly Herrell - CEO of Vyatta.
"Vyatta is the most flexible network infrastructure solution in the world and can be deployed on server blades, dedicated appliances, or virtual machines using VMWare and Xen. As a result, Vyatta is a universal solution to networking problems in the branch office, at headquarters, and in the data center, for both enterprises and service providers." |
Approaching nearly 100,000 downloads, Vyatta’s third major networking software release touts the following changes and enhancements:
IPSec VPN
Vyatta now supports dedicated site-to-site (branch-to-branch or branch-to-HQ) virtual private networking and supports the most widely used cryptographic algorithms, including 3DES, AES (128 and 256-bit), MD5, and SHA1. In addition, IPsec VPN can now be configured in a cluster of multiple Vyatta units with failover mechanisms providing high availability for mission-critical services.
Multi-link PPP (MLPPP)
MLPPP allows customers to increase WAN bandwidth by using multiple low-speed circuits, typically T1 links, in parallel, enabling a pay-as-you-grow strategy instead of paying the high cost of a T3 upgrade.
BGP Scaling and Security Enhancements
Improved BGP scaling provides faster routing convergence with many peers. MD5-based neighbor authentication delivers improved routing security. Per-BGP peer policy support makes it easier than ever to control route propagation. New monitoring and troubleshooting commands make Vyatta easier to use.
Vyatta has a done a great job capitalizing on a chink in Cisco's armor, commodity hardware and components.
However, Cisco continues to evolve by creating new technologies and products:
 "Cisco has done a great job of idea engineering technologies and products. Many small companies in turn develop products based on Cisco’s hard work and compete in the same space at a very attractive price point. However, pound for pound the quality won’t be there unless the competitor invests heavy in quality assurance. NetFlow is a technology developed by Cisco where the competition is doing well," said Michael Patterson – President of Plixer International. |
Related stories:
|
Open Source Juicer |
Answering Terry Slattery |
| Terry's Blog | Vyatta Open Source Router |
| Network World | Does the Vyatta router solution monitor how business processes are operating? |
| Network World | Is Vyatta's less than $100 per GB of memory advantageous over Cisco's sometimes $5,000 per GB of memory? |
No doubt the future will be promising for vendors like Vyatta who can capitalize on the advantages of commodity hardware and components.
But also in the future, should Cisco acquire Vyatta, it would finally mean open-source networking software has "arrived."
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As a longtime Cisco user and
As a longtime Cisco user and supporter, I have always been miffed by the relatively exorbitant hardware costs of their products. It would be great to see IOS running on commodity hardware that you could upgrade without replacing the whole box or chassis. Having said that, anyone who asserts that Vyatta's current offering is in any way qualitatively competitive with Cisco IOS has virtually zero credibility. For only the most basic networking functions is Vyatta even feature competitive. The depth and breadth of features in even the IP Base IOS code (a strength or weakness depending on your view) is simply unmatched by any other networking products in the industry---period.
I hope Cisco never buys Vyatta---it is ALWAYS good for the customer if the big boys see a hungry wolf in their rear view mirror.