On Tue, 13 Jul 2010 Valdis.Kletnieks@vt.edu wrote:
I wasn't aware that the 7206 and M20 classified as software-based.
I don't see why you could call it anything but a software router. That's sort of why things like it and the 7500 before it lasted so long. As the thing ages, cisco comes out with new NPE (or RSP/VIP) processors with faster CPUs / more memory capacity that are able to move more packets. i.e. NPE-100->NPE-150->NPE-200->NPE-225->NPE-300->NPE-400->NPE-G1->NPE-G2 You could start with a VXR with NPE-225 and keep upgrading the CPU and keep the thing in service with the same interface cards 15 years or more. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jon Lewis | I route Senior Network Engineer | therefore you are Atlantic Net | _________ http://www.lewis.org/~jlewis/pgp for PGP public key_________