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