Re: Gigabit Linux Routers

[Alex Thurlow <alex () blastro com>]

Just as another source of info here, I'm running:

Dual Core Intel Xeon 3060 @ 2.4Ghz
2 Gb Ram (it says "Mem:   2059280k total,  1258500k used,   800780k
free,   278004k buffers" right now)
2 of these on the motherboard: Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation
82571EB Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 06) (port-channel bonded to my
switch)
One other card with 2 ports: Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation
82573E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (Copper) (rev 03)
Gentoo Linux with a fairly small kernel with FIB_TRIE enabled.

I'm taking in 2 full BGP feeds, a decent amount of iptables rules, and
I've hit 1.2 Gbps with no problems.  At this point, I just don't have
anything behind the router to push more than that.


--
Alex Thurlow
Blastro Networks

http://www.blastro.com
http://www.roxwel.com
http://www.yallwire.com


Chris wrote:
> You've given me lots to think about ! Thanks for all the input so far.
>
> A few queries for the replies if I may. My brain is whirring.
>
> Chris: You're right and I'm tempted. I've almost had my arm twisted to go
> down the proprietory route as I have some Cisco experience but have 
become
> pretty familiar with Quagga and tc.
>
> David: May I ask which NICs you use in the IBM boxes ? I see the Intels
> recommended by Mike have dual ports on one board (the docs say "Two 
complete
> Gigabit Ethernet connections in a single device • Lower latency due 
to one
> electrical load on the bus").
>
> Patrick: That's what I was hoping to hear :) It's not the world's biggest
> network.
>
> Michael: Thanks very much. We have three upstreams. I guess 2GB of 
RAM would
> cover many more sessions.
>
> Eugeniu: That's very useful. The Intel dual port NICs mentioned 
aren't any
> good then I presume (please see my comment to David).
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Chris
>
>