Industry News - ISM_5226

First Linux router appears

By Jim Duffy, Network World Fusion

April 6, 1999

http://www.networkworld.com/news/1999/0406linplex.html

Tony Johnson

NBase-Xyplex offers programmable device for customized services

NBase-Xyplex will shortly unveil the first network router based on the Linux operating system. The router's, the OSR8040, will have a 40Gbit/sec capacity. The Linux operating system's flexibility and programmability will overcome a large portion of the proprietary issues present in the current router technologies provided by companies like Cisco and Nortel.

The ability to write custom software on top of the router's Linux operating system will typically not be readily apparent to enterprise users. However, the custom applications could greatly enhance service, security and Web caching applications. Additionally, the routing algorithms and protocols present with proprietary routing operating systems do not have to be handled. The largest benefit will be realized by providers who write custom programs for their routers such as carriers and ISPs.