Linux Router

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1. The Linux Router
   Routers are amongst the most crucial components of the Internet, as each bit of information on the Internet passes through many routers. Most of the routers used on the Internet are made by Cisco. Although these have good performance, they come at a high price.In this article we show how to set up a Linux router for two to four LANs and test its performance under different conditions. All of the work described here was done on Intel PIIIs running at 733MHz. For comparison we also used Pentium Is and IIs. Here we present the results of our investigation into the performance of the Linux router and compare it with a commercial router.
                       
2. Linux Embedded Appliance Firewall
   Create an inclusive environment where LEAF project members and the extended community are free to release content to the public. Support continued development of current LEAF releases/branches. Create new LEAF releases/branches with current Linux kernels and libraries, while retaining the option to install the target environment on various devices attached to the target. Maintain as small a footprint as possible for release/branch target installations. Promote creation of packages usable by all LEAF releases/branches.
                         
3. Configuring a Linux Wireless Router
   This page documents my experiences getting Enterasys RoamAbout wireless cards and SVEC PCI cradles working in a couple of different PCs, running RedHat 7.3 Linux. This guide assumes you've got some experience with Linux, particularly in relation to compiling kernels and editing files. If not, there are plenty of other resources on the 'net which will provide you with additional information.
   Note that some filenames and paths may vary if you're using a different Linux distribution.
                         
4. Building a Linux Routers
   This site is an introduction to simple hardware routers for small networks built from old, obsolete hardware and free open source software. The intended audience for this site are Newbies to both Linux and to hardware routers and firewalls. Included are instructions for hardware assembly and software configuration. One page is a primer for network security and discusses firewalls, anti-virus software and other security related tools. The intent of this site is to encourage others to build and install their own secure router for homes and small businesses.
                             
5. The Devil-Linux
   Devil-Linux is a distribution which boots and runs completely from CDROM. The configuration can be saved to a floppy diskette or a USB pen drive. Devil Linux was originally intended to be a dedicated firewall/router but now Devil-Linux can also be used as a server for many applications. Attaching an optional hard drive is easy, and many network services are included in the distribution.The system is designed to install without the use of a hard drive. It requires the use of a CDROM and a write-protected floppy. 
                          
6. About the Linux Router Project
   Linux Router Project (LRP) is a networking-centric micro-distribution of Linux. LRP is small enough to fit on a single 1.44MB floppy disk, and makes building and maintaining routers, access servers, thin servers, thin clients, network appliances, and typically embedded systems next to trivial. LRP is the premier 'single floppy' linux, with a very large and growing user base. It uses a modular packaging system, and has the the distinct feel of its much bigger cousin, Debian GNU/Linux.
                                      
7. Configuring the Linux Router
   Even the most experienced network administrator can get stumped when configuring Linux routers, says Tony Mancill, author of Linux Routers: A Primer for Network Administrators, 2nd Ed. from Prentice Hall PTR. There are significant differences in the configuration processes for Linux, Windows and Unix. In a recent interview with SearchEnterpriseLinux.com, he described the most important "dos and don'ts" for configuring Linux routers.
                                            
8. The History of GNU Zebra 
   The Zebra project began in 1996. The idea for Zebra originally came from Kunihiro Ishiguro, who had been working at NIS, an ISP joint venture between British Telecom and Marubeni. Working for an ISP, Ishiguro had realized a great need for a new type of quality routing software. It was at this time that Ishiguro met Yoshinari Yoshikawa. Yoshikawa shared Ishiguro's vision for a new routing engine and they decided to combine resources to create the world's first routing engine software based on the GNU General Public License. This entity, called the Zebra Project, consists of the business expertise of IP Infusion combined with the technical skills of the world's top networking engineers and a commitment to offer top-quality free software routing engine.
                             
9. About the Image Stream
   ImageStream Internet Solutions, Inc. is the world's leading supplier of Linux routers and WAN cards. ImageStream has achieved industry leading price and performance for high-density T1/E1, DS3/E3, OC3, and OC12 routing applications. ImageStream is also a leading OEM supplier of single board computers, communications cards, and Linux software for networking, telephony, satellite, and avionics applications. Come inside and learn how ImageStream is using commodity off-the-shelf components and the Linux operating system to drive the Router Revolution.
                          
10. Simple Linux Router
    This document is intended as a fairly simple How-to on creating a simple Linux router/firewall for a class C non-routable local network that might be found in a small office, school, or home situation. I have tried to keep it simple so if you are missing some details, you can email me or refer to some more in-depth descriptions of router/firewalls. I would also like to tip my hat to the boys up in Redmond as they have included some of this functionality in their latest offerings of their consumer operating systems -- Windows 98SE and WindowsME. If you already have a computer that runs one of these OSes, you could set them up as the router/firewall by enabling those features. But if you're like me and have access to somewhat "obsolete" equipment, you can mold it into a dedicated router/firewall.
                                 
11. Building an advanced Router
    If you have set up a Linux box as a firewall, you have already built a simple Linux router. However, we're going to look at using Linux to build an advanced router that can communicate using dynamic routing protocols. These protocols allow routers to speak to each other and share information of paths through a network. This is incredibly important in large networks (such as the Internet), where static routing is impractical.
    For example, even with route summarization (where only the largest possible block is advertised), a single Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routing table still contains over 100,000 entries. 
                           
12. Building a Linux Router - Firewall
    This site is an introduction to simple hardware routers for small networks built from old, obsolete hardware and free software. The intended audience for this site are Newbies to both Linux and to hardware routers and firewalls. Included are instructions for hardware assembly and software configuration. . . . This site is an introduction to simple hardware routers for small networks built from old, obsolete hardware and free software. The intended audience for this site are Newbies to both Linux and to hardware routers and firewalls. Included are instructions for hardware assembly and software configuration. One page is a primer for Network security and discusses Firewalls, Anti-Virus and other security tools. The intent of this site is to encourage others to build and install their own secure router.
                            
13. The Linux Router Project Materhorn
    The Linux Router Project - Materhorn is a small signature (floppy based) distribution of linux suitable for creating a firewall or router. It's origin can be traced to the original LRP that is based on the 2.036 kernel whereas Materhorn is based on the 2.2.13 kernel. It has proven itself to be very reliable, robust, and extremely fast since it runs exclusively in ramdisk. It has been known to put many so called 'Commercial' products to shame in both areas of versatility as well as security. Ever noticed how the commercial routers as well as firewall vendors often add secure access management as a afterthought. Then they tend to use proprietary, obfuscated methodologies designed it seems more to confuse? Materhorn leverages recognized secure access methods that have been 'publically' and widely scrutinized. It requires little in the way of hardware since it is know to run reasonable well from the author's experience in less that 7.5 Meg of ram. Whereas for serious use any x86 computer with 16 Meg is more than adequate. 
                            
14. About the Smooth Wall Express
    SmoothWall Express is an open source firewall distribution based on the GNU/Linux operating system. Linux is the ideal choice for security systems; it is well proven, secure, highly configurable and freely††† available as open source code. SmoothWall includes a hardened subset of the GNU/Linux operating system, so there is no separate OS to install. Designed for ease of use, SmoothWall is configured via a web-based GUI, and requires absolutely no knowledge of Linux to install or use. Our companion site SmoothWall.net is the home of SmoothWall Limited, who produce a range of commercial supported security products, designed for use in small to medium sized businesses, education and corporate offices. 
                          
15. Linux LiveCD Router
    The Linux Live-CD Router allows you to share and firewall your broadband connection and use WIFI. You can use DSL, ADSL, Cable Modem, T1, Fixed IPs, Dial-Up, WIFI . There are following features:- 1.Share and Firewall your broadband or dedicated Internet connection 
    2. Includes Firewall Shorewall and Masquerading (NAT) 3. Does not require any installation. It is a LiveCD, your computer simply boots straight from the CD. Does not require a hard disk 4. Supports DSL, Cablemodem, Fixed IP and Dial-Up 5. Traffic Control, QoS WonderShaper 6. DHCP Client and Server 7. Remote SSH administration 8. Includes DNS Cache to accelerate surfing 9. Includes SNMP Monitoring, MRTG graphical statistics 
                        
16. The ImageStreams' TransPort Linux Router
    ImageStream takes SOHO into the fast lane with its new TransPort Linux router. Weighing in at just four pounds, the TransPort is designed for branch-office use and packs an impressive array of features, including QoS (Quality of Service) support using DiffServ (Differentiated Services); dynamic routing with RIP, OSPF and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol); packet filtering; and firewalling. The TransPort SNMP support is MIB 2-compliant and will work right out of the box with packages like MRTG or HP OpenView. ImageStream shipped the TransPort TR1000-TE to the Cal Poly Network Performance Research Lab so we could put it through its paces. In addition to the standard Ethernet ports, the TransPort TR1000-TE comes with a T1 link for a WAN (see "TransPort as Gateway," below), which we connected to one of the lab's edge routers to provide an outgoing connection to the campus backbone. 
                        
17. Security and the Linux Router Project
    Exploits are about as prolific as kernel updates. Well okay, maybe not that common. Still, vulnerabilities are abundant for any OS no matter what the platform, and the vulnerabilities in Linux are no exception. The Linux Router Project (and Linux-based routers in general) have some unique security issues that Cisco and other proprietary routers do not have, because of the nature of the PC hardware and the Linux kernel. For example, buffer overflows are common with Linux, while hardware routers are almost immune to them. The LRP sysadmin must take care to recognize and address these vulnerabilities. So on the one hand we have a different router for everything: ISDN, Ethernet, frame relay T1, xDSL, PPP, ..., even a [cable modem/portmapping router/Ethernet hub with a nifty graphic HTML interface], each device unique and purposeful for each unique and specialized routing application. And the source code and hardware is confidential and proprietary. 
                                        
18. The Advantages of LRP
    While a ``minimal'' install of Debian Linux may have well over 5000 files, you would be lucky to break 500 with a very feature-rich LRP. The impact of this on administration and security is obvious; the entire system can be backed up and restored in less than a minute. This minimal footprint coupled with RAM disk operation adds up to a large performance increase in operation and decrease in required hardware. The most mediocre 16MHz 386SX with 8MB of RAM, a 1.44MB floppy and no video card can handle most people's needs for light routing jobs. The other advantage of running from a RAM disk that people seem to overlook is, generally, it cannot break. Let's say you have 250 workstations with one path to the outside world. 
                                
19. Real-time Linux Software
    You've probably realized by now that there are many ways to add real-time capabilities to Linux based systems. Certainly, one method is to throw hardware at the problem, by running faster processors or employing specialized hardware. For example, specialized peripheral controllers and digital signal processors (DSPs) can offload critical real-time tasks from the main system CPU. However, assuming you want to use the main system processor to manage real-time system events, there are a great many options from which to choose. Given the somewhat bewildering variety of alternatives, we've assembled the LinuxDevices.com "Real-time Linux Quick Reference Guide" which we hope will assist you in locating Linux-based solutions that match your system requirements. 
                         
20. Types of Routers
    In the original era of routing (from the mid-1970s through the 1980s), general-purpose mini-computers served as routers. Although general-purpose computers can perform routing, modern high-speed routers are highly specialised computers, generally with extra hardware added to accelerate both common routing functions such as packet forwarding and specialised functions such as IPsec encryption.Other changes also improve reliability, such as using DC power rather than line power (which can be provided from batteries in data centers), and using solid-state rather than magnetic storage for program loading. Large modern routers have thus come to resemble telephone switches, with whose technology they are currently converging and may eventually replace, whilst small routers have become a common household item.
                                    
21. Nbase-Xyplex’s Linux Router
    As networking's cutting edge moves from enterprise networks toward a greater focus on service providers, an important issue for enterprises becomes how these carriers build and connect their networks to those of other providers. One of the major concerns in dealing with Internet service providers is how an ISP handles the Border Gateway Protocol 4 (BGP4), which is used in peering and transit arrangements among ISPs. Equipment vendor NBase-Xyplex believes it has discovered a new way to use the Linux operating system to deliver BGP4 capabilities more effectively. Though NBase-Xyplex is stressing the strengths of Linux, the OSR8040 has the standard speeds-and-feeds story as well, including a 40-Gbps cell-based switching fabric and 26 million packets per second (pps) throughput.
                               
22. CityLink Linux-based Routers
    The CityLink Linux routers are a low cost, fully functional alternative to traditional routers. The routers are based on the Bering variant of LEAF (the Linux Router Project), available at http://leaf-project.org/. Bering is a secure, cut-down version of Linux that boots from flash storage into a RAM disk (no moving parts other than cooling on the BFR series) and contains a subset of standard Linux tools that are related usefully to routing.
                          
23. Embedded Linux VPN Router
    An anonymous reader writes "A new open source project aims to build a VPN router that supports all major routing protocols on a standardized hardware platform running embedded Linux. The "Linux Router Project - LR101" started in mid-2003 and plans a first release in January 2004. It is based on a dual-NIC VIA EPIA mainboard and a Travla case, along with Red Hat 8, zebra, FreeS/WAN, IP-tables, an other open source software, all compiled from source." 
                              
24. qwest linux dsl routers
    After having problems with my old dsl router, i finally ordered and received the actiontec gt701-wg from qwest. i believe this is what they are starting to distribute by default in my area, and i wouldn’t be surprised if these were to be found elsewhere as well.The interesting thing about these new actiontec routers is that they run linux. seatllewireless has a nice page describing the system, and people have already figured out how to build and install custom firmware on the device.Most people have a single static ip, so it would be sort of neat to have your dsl router run a small static web site. you could always port forward, but it’s one less machine to worry about. better yet, install ssh and use it as a tunneling server. 
                              
25. Router Guide
    Building your own router out of old spare parts has many advantages over buying a pre-made canned router by say Linksys. The biggest one by far is control over the connection. The other advantages are left up to your imagination; just about anything can be done in this scenario, it's just a matter of needing it. This guide will show you how to setup Network Address Translation (NAT) on the router (kernel and iptables), add and configure common services (Domain Name System (DNS) via dnsmasq, dhcp via dhcpcd, ADSL via rp-pppoe), and conclude with more elaborate and fun things that can be done (port forwarding, traffic shaping, proxies/caching, etc...).