Which software router are you looking at? Coyote? Most of the software

routers I have used are no longer being supported or developed.

The choices in hardware router/firewall devices are not that great. I've

been using a Zyxel 1000G for a few years and it has been, mostly,

reliable. I've had it get wonky and require a reboot twice in 6 years.

The interface is very very different...completely object-oriented.

Fortunately Zyxel provides excellent tech support, they'll even log in

to your router and configure it for you if needed.

I don't think you'll run into any throughput issues with your load on

any device, or software-based system.

Mike Copeland

Ken Dibble wrote:

> Hi folks,

>

> Looks like our "ancient" (2008) CISCO router has died.

>

> I would appreciate the benefit of your experience regarding hardware

> vs software routers/firewalls to help me evaluate replacement options.

>

> Our current network uses 1 GB switches and has about 150 machines, and

> there can be at least that many people simultaneously using the

> network and our 25 mbps synchronous internet connection (including

> people hooking into our internet from smart phones and tablets). Most

> servers, including the domain controller, are virtualized and we are

> using a SAN for storage (two identical Synology Linux NAS devices). We

> have a 10 GB switch for virtual server/storage connectivity.

>

> We do not host external (internet) email or websites on our network.

>

> We've had slow growth in the number of machines and users (+/- 5% per

> year) over the past decade.

>

> We've always used the NAT functionality of the CISCO to provide a

> firewall and we only rarely allow anything to punch through it. The

> main exception would be our RDP server, which is in frequent use by

> between 5 and 10 simultaneous connections.

>

> My understanding is that a software router/firewall running on an

> ordinary PC is likely to be slower than a dedicated hardware device.

> However, is the difference so significant for a network like mine as

> to rule out a cheaper software solution?

>

> Do you have preferences for specific devices or software packages?

>

> What do you all think?

>

> Many thanks.

>

> Ken Dibble

> www.stic-cil.org

>

>

[excessive quoting removed by server]

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