Open Source Router Maker Vyatta Rolls Out New Release of OS

Is open source routing closing the router gap?

By Jim Duffy, Network World

Vyatta, the open source networking vendor that makes its living tweaking Cisco’s nose, this week rolled out a new release of its operating system software. Vyatta 6.0 features a remote access API that enables customers to control large scale Vyatta systems using in-house and third-party network management and provisioning systems.

It also includes more than 30 other enhancements as well as a new extension called Vyatta Plus enhanced services. The first of these services is VyattaGuard web filtering, which is designed to help customers implement Internet security policies.

With Version 6.0, Vyatta maintains a single, “core” code base — Vyatta Core 6.0 — and is also incorporated into the Vyatta Subscription Edition. This configuration enables Vyatta to accelerate the delivery of updates to all Vyatta users at the same time, the company says.

Vyatta Core will contain all open source components of the Vyatta system, while the Subscription Edition provides additional features such as the Remote API and the Vyatta plus enhanced services.

Other Version 6.0 enhancements in the core software include Netflow and sFlow logging and analysis; 802.11 wireless LAN; IPv6 “readiness;” firewall enhancements, including IPv6, P2P and time-based and zone-based rules. In addition to the Remote API, the Subscription Edition includes TACACS+ and simplified VPN client management.

Version 6.0 is available now and can be downloaded at http://www.vyatta.com/index.php. Subscription Edition licensing starts at $747 and VyattaGuard Web Filtering services are available starting at $250 per year.

Vyatta claims some compelling price/performance benefits over Cisco ASR 1000 and 7200 series routers, and ASA firewalls. But the company has been pitching the “disruptive” David vs. Goliath story since its inception – meanwhile, Cisco continues to grow revenue and maintain market share, while Vyatta continues to fly well below the market share radar in all segments in which it participates. Its software and appliances continue to be niche sideline players providing perhaps incremental cost savings and capabilities, yet incapable of disrupting the status quo.

Since its debut in February 2006, Vyatta’s network software has been downloaded nearly 100,000 times, the company says. Like other Linux and open source programs, VC3 runs on commodity x86 hardware, which allows for low cost purchase and implementation , proponents say.

Compare Vyatta to Cisco

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