Traditional conceptual understanding
In our traditional understanding, there are many different explanations for the understanding of soft and hard routing. However, communication is benign and interactive. There have been no wrong guidance in the industry discussions. Everyone’s ultimate goal is to find the best cost-effective products suitable for their respective network working environments. Let’s take a look at some traditional understandings.
Generally speaking, soft routing is usually a computer, and hardware routing can be classified according to different standards, such as high, medium and low-end performance, and fixed configuration and modular configuration in structure.
There are many benefits of soft routing, such as using cheap desktops and free Linux software, but the software in the router is deeply embedded in the hardware, including optimization of various device drivers, different optimization strategies for different CPUs in different systems, etc. This software is not application software, but system software, and cannot be separated from hardware. The soft routing is highly elastic and the desktop processor has strong performance, so the processing performance is good and it is easier to expand.
However, technicians are also required to master more professional knowledge such as setting methods and parameter design. At the same time, the settings are also relatively complex, and technicians need to have certain technical ability to adapt to. At the same time, if the hardware configuration of the desktop is not good or unreasonable, and if it is used as a router function, the probability of failure will be high. Building with a desktop computer is not low, but if you want to use a server, the cost is higher, and the learning process of technicians is also more cumbersome.
The method of hard routing is to configure a dedicated machine. Like a PC, hard routers include power supplies, internal buses, main memory, flash memory, processors and operating systems, etc., which are specially designed for routing functions and are cheaper. Since the architecture design takes into account long-term operation, stability is guaranteed, and most important functions have been completed in the built-in system design, so manual management settings are very little effort, which can save time for technical or network managers. But in contrast, if a certain hardware is not powerful in specifications and not wide in scalability, it may not meet the needs, especially if it is necessary to add other functions, if the manufacturer does not provide them, then the technology or network managers cannot solve it.
Taking Qno Xianuo's products as an example, the software functions used have been tested for a long time by professional SmartBit network testers and field tests interoperability in different countries, which can be determined to operate in harsh environments for a long time. Qno Xianuo's product uses the Intel IXP 425 series routing network processor, which is suitable for processing IP packet inspection and VPN encryption and decryption. The internal memory is used, and there is no hard disk that needs movement, so it is not easy to malfunction. In addition, high-quality products are used for ventilation, heat dissipation and power supply, which can ensure reliability in long-term operation. Qno Xianuo's products only need to connect the network cable, but there is no compatibility issue. It is also very small in size and can be placed on the desktop, hung on the wall, or at the bottom of the table, which is very convenient. Qno's products use a web interface, use Chinese settings, which are intuitive and operational using any computer.
Accurate comparison of the system
The above analysis is subjective, but it basically summarizes the overall characteristics reasonably. Here we will make a more comprehensive and accurate analysis of the comparisons of soft and hard routes for readers and friends to refer to.
1. Conceptual aspect. Soft routing is usually used as a normal computer, using a common operating system such as Linux or Windows, so the routing settings are actually Windows or Linux settings, or configurations for the computer. PCs can be very old 486 or even more advanced PC/server. Software and hardware are independent of each other; while hardware routers are mostly based on embedded system architecture, with self-developed or ready-made embedded operating systems such as Vxworks, Montavista, uClinux, etc., and are coordinated with the routing software developed by the system manufacturers. The software and hardware cooperate with each other. The hardware router adopts a special operating system, so a hyperterminal (computer) is used to manage the router through console. The management of hardware routers is usually implemented using dedicated command lines, graphics interfaces or network management software.
2. Hardware architecture specificity. The hardware architecture of a software router is universal and is suitable for installation and use of various application software, not designed for routers only; the hardware architecture of a hardware router is designed for routers, and some CPUs are even developed for network applications.
3. Hardware assembly. Software router users may have to assemble the hardware themselves. A general PC may not have a network card (such as the very old 486) or have only one network card. The user must install an additional network card by themselves to meet the routing function. The hardware may have compatibility problems, and users must solve them themselves; while hardware router users do not need to assemble hardware by themselves. The hardware matching design has been completed by the system manufacturer and has been strictly tested, so there will be no incompatibility.
4. Software installation. Software router users must install the software themselves. Some software is free, while others have to pay a premium; while hardware router users do not need to install the software themselves. The software is contained in the flash memory of the product.
5. Software maintenance. Software routers provide free software, usually non-commercial open code, and are generally developed and modified by experts scattered around the world due to their interests. The integrity and debugging of functions cannot be guaranteed; the software functions of hardware routers are developed by the system manufacturers that launch products, and have high consistency. The addition of functions and debugging of errors are maintained by system manufacturers. Users only need to upgrade the software. There is a clear pipeline for upgrading the software and the after-sales service is guaranteed.
6. The matching aspects of software, hardware and operating systems. Software router software must accommodate ready-made hardware (such as PC) and ready-made operating systems (such as Windows and Linux), and neither the hardware nor the operating system is designed specifically for network/routing functions. The stability cannot be generalized, and users must pay relative costs, time, energy, and money; while the software and hardware of the hardware adopt an embedded operating system and match each other, the overall design is simple and efficient, not only stable, but also easy to set up, and the product cost plus the cost paid by users is also relatively low.
7. In terms of usage interface. In software routers, different software has different methods, some are window screens, and some are command line instructions. Not necessarily easy to understand. Some require very professional knowledge; while hardware routers mostly use the Web GUI to set the settings, emphasizing user friendly, and making simple and easy-to-understand settings based on specific functions.
8. Level differences. There is no difference between software routers, and the performance depends on the PC and software selected by the trial user. Therefore, it may not necessarily be applicable to various network/routing applications. The more advanced the application environment requires the more professional knowledge to handle it; the hardware router will develop different levels of routers for different levels of network/routing applications to achieve better cost-effectiveness.
9. Work environment. Software routers can only work on Ethernet networks to realize interconnection between local area networks. Hardware routers have a wide range of interface types, so they are suitable for various types of networks, which can be used for the interconnection of local area networks, as well as for the interconnection of wide area networks and Internet. In addition, the efficiency of the two is also different. Soft routing can be applied to small networks with low communication efficiency, while hardware routing can be applied to large, medium and small networks with high communication efficiency.
Buy the most suitable product
In general, different products are suitable for different customer groups. From the perspective of many product development, the software method is suitable for network management with more technical capabilities. Generally, network management hopes to use hard routing to exert its energy in other more valuable places. Due to computer limitations, soft routing can only use Ethernet cards, so it is basically limited to the connection between Ethernet networks. Soft routing connections are only used when multiple network segments are divided between Ethernet networks. If the network is so large that it is necessary to divide the network, the efficiency of soft routing will obviously not meet the high-speed communication between the networks. In terms of price, soft routing is the price of a computer, while hardware routing prices vary greatly depending on performance. To be honest, if you just implement NAT conversion, the computer will be more efficient than the hardware router.
Combined with multiple considerations, buyers must fully understand their network environment and investment plans to consider how to choose a router. The author will give an example to analyze the working environment needs of Internet cafes. Internet cafes have the following common points in common: data processing capabilities must be strong enough, the Internet is fast and smooth, and the big data process must not be disconnected or stopped; it has high stability and reliability, and can work continuously for a long time and continuously; it must have strong compatibility and be able to adapt to different access services of different operators; it is easy to install, configure, manage, and use, and the user interface is friendly and easy to understand; on the premise of ensuring performance, it must have a reasonable price and excellent performance-price ratio. Therefore, for an Internet cafe of a certain scale, they prefer to use hard routing, and using hardware routers brings greater advantages, such as molding equipment, no maintenance required for one debugging, and no trouble of parts maintenance; technical support from professional manufacturers, free upgrade of professional software; it can realize line backup, load balancing, policy routing and other applications that meet Internet cafes; most products use network-specific CPUs to solve complex problems in network routing; professional technical tracking can solve new problems that appear in network applications, and all of them can be solved for free, etc.
Recommended brand manufacturers with background
There are many hardware routing manufacturing companies in the industry now, and there are many brands and models on the market. The price of the same model of routers may vary greatly from one manufacturer to another. If the buyer has the conditions, the author recommends choosing more brands, because brand manufacturers have the corresponding capabilities to conduct research on system solutions and continuously develop new products to meet the needs of different network environments. At the same time, it also brings greater support to network managers and saves investors from excessive investment. The author recommends Xianuo Technology () The QVM and FVR series multi-WAN routers launched by ) are cost-effective routers developed based on high-performance Intel IXP Xcale CPUs for network applications. With years of R&D experience, the R&D personnel of Xianuo Technology effectively integrate soft, hard and tough interfaces to maximize the CPU's performance. At the same time, they have designed many easy and practical functions for multi-WAN network environments. Not only is the product stable and complete functions, it is also easy to install and use, it is a model among the same-level products.
Comparison table of various indicators of soft and hard routing
Software router
Hardware router
General definition
Based on the PC hardware architecture, Windows or Linux is used as the operating system, and routing software is installed. Software and hardware are independent.
Based on embedded system architectures, such as Vxworks, Montavista, uClinux, and routing software developed by system manufacturers.
Hardware architecture specificity
The hardware architecture is universal and is suitable for installation and use of various application software.
The hardware architecture is designed for routers. Some CPUs are even developed for network applications, such as IXP Xcale.
Hardware assembly
Users may have to assemble the hardware themselves. Users generally need to install additional network cards themselves. Hardware may have compatibility issues.
Users do not need to assemble the hardware themselves.
Software installation
Users must install the software themselves. Some software is free, while others have to pay.
There is no need to install the software yourself, the software is included in the product flash memory.
Software maintenance
Free software is usually non-commercial open code, and is generally developed and modified by experts scattered around the world due to their interests. Functional integrity and debugging cannot be guaranteed.
The software functions are developed by the system manufacturers that launch the product and maintained by the system manufacturers. There is a clear pipeline for upgrading the software and the after-sales service is guaranteed.
The matching of software, hardware and operating system
Software must accommodate ready-made hardware and ready-made operating systems. Neither the hardware nor the operating system are designed specifically for network routing functions. Users must pay relative costs - time, energy, and money.
Software, hardware, and embedded operating systems are matched with each other, and the overall design is relatively simple and easy to set up, and the product cost and the cost paid by users are also relatively low.
Usage interface
Different software has different methods. Some are window screens, and some are command line instructions, and most require strong professional knowledge.
Settings are mostly done in the form of a Web GUI, emphasizing user friendly, and the setting method is simple and easy to understand.
Level differences
There is no difference, performance depends on the PC and software selected by the trial user. Different application environments require different expertise.
Different levels of network/routing applications have corresponding routers of different levels.
Working environment
Software routers can only work on Ethernet networks to realize interconnection between local area networks.
Hardware routers have a wide range of interface types, so they are suitable for various types of networks, which can be used for the interconnection of local area networks, as well as for the interconnection of wide area networks and Internet.
Work efficiency
Soft routing can be applied to small networks with low communication efficiency
Hardware routing can be applied to large, medium and small networks with high communication efficiency
Stability
Determined based on the overall stability of the hardware used, if a single part is unstable, the stability is easily affected.
Designed for long-term operation, good systematic cooperation. If the product is designed properly, the stability is excellent.
Article entry: csh Editor in charge: csh