Routers also have software and hardware? Yes, there is indeed. The hardware router is a well-known product, the most typical one is Cisco's series of routers. Software routers are an emerging product, such as the WinRoutePro software router from TinySoftware, the InternetGateway software router from Vicomsoft, etc., and then talk about software routers. 1 The composition of the software router It is generally believed that a system consisting of a set of dedicated router programs installed on a normal PC is called a software router, 486 computer + free software = professional software router. 2 The complexity of the software router technology is not complicated, very simple, and the software router can be installed with a normal operation PC. 3 Common software routers can be divided into software platforms based on Windows platform and Linux/bsd platform based on the operating system used. Software firewalls based on the Windows platform are more common with ISA Server, WinRouteFirewall, etc. These softwares are all commercialized, usually different according to the number of authorized users. The cost of purchasing a genuine software firewall is undoubtedly a problem for many small and medium-sized enterprises. No small expenses. There are software firewalls based on Unix/Linux platforms that generally have less contact and benefit from open source operation. Currently, software firewalls based on Unix/Linux platforms are constantly rolling out. Most of these software firewalls are free, and RouterOS is common. m0n0Wall, SmoothWall, Ipcop, CoyoteLinux, etc., these systems have the common characteristics of low hardware requirements, even only need a 486 computer, a floppy disk, two network cards can install a very professional software firewall, this For many friends with low-end computers that have been eliminated, it means taking a computer that has been eliminated, installing a free set of firewall software, DIY out a professional firewall without spending a penny, and these systems themselves also contain The NAT function, while enabling broadband sharing, means that this free firewall is actually an excellent broadband router, which is so exciting. 4 Software Router Features Different software routers have different functions. Most Linux/bsd-based freeware routers are not as bad as commercial ones, and they are more powerful than commercial ones. 5 software router performance and stability Currently common hardware broadband router, most of them are implemented by software, the same as the software router, and the software router general hardware configuration is higher than the hardware broadband router configuration, so some In some cases, the speed is much faster than a hardware router with thousands of tens of thousands of dollars. As for the stability of the software router, benefiting from the stable Linux and BSD kernels, the stability of the software router is very good. It is said that the software router that has not been restarted for the longest time has been more than a year. 6 What software accessories need to make a software router: 486 or more, 8M memory or more ordinary PC, plus two network cards can be, some software routers such as CoyoteLinux only need a floppy disk, there are no special requirements for the network card, common Rtl8139 and 530tx, 3COM905B-TX, Intel82559 server network card, etc. can be, but according to expert experience, a well-functioning software router, network card must be good, so this site recommends you use iNTEL or 3COM brand network card, especially Intel82559 The effect is very good. If the economic conditions permit, it is a good choice to buy an electronic hard disk or a CF-IDE adapter card and a CF memory card. The software router that comes out of this can be compared with the hardware router. 7 software routers will eliminate hardware routers? No, but software routers will gradually occupy more hardware road market, software routers can not eliminate hardware routers, their market positioning is different, and only high-end hardware routers can be competent, but For general applications such as Internet cafes, schools, institutions, etc., software routers can achieve higher economic benefits. 8 Where can I learn software router technology? Currently, the more popular software routers are foreign, and the official website of foreign software router developers is a good place to learn. 9 Is it illegal to use a software router? Most software routers are open source or software. So after learning the software router, we can charge a certain fee for others to install, but the heart can't be too dark. In addition, the heart should always miss you. The netizens of the church, of course, like the RouteOS/SMOOthwall commercial version is a fee-based software. The D version of the proposal should not be used. Of course, you can use it. It is best to use it yourself. Otherwise, the consequences will be at your own risk.