Open-Source PC-Based Software Routers: a Viable Approach to High-Performance Packet Switching

A. BIANCO, J. M. FINOCHIETTO, G. GALANTE, M. MELLIA, F. NERI

Catania, Italia

Conferencia; QoSIP 2005; 2005

We consider IP routers based on off-the-shelf personal computer (PC)hardware running the Linux open-source operating system. The choice of buildingIP routers with off-the-shelf hardware stems from the wide availability ofdocumentation, the low cost associated with large-scale production, and the continuousevolution driven by the market. On the other hand, open-source softwareprovides the opportunity to easily modify the router operation so as to suit everyneed. The main contribution of the paper is the analysis of the performancebottlenecks of PC-based open-source software routers and the evaluation of thesolutions currently available to overcome them.