What is the best system for an x86 router?

Question

linux

I want to assemble a PC-based router and fully explore all the network nuances, inside and out. I want to learn how to administer exclusively through the terminal, without web-gui, not just copy-pasting configs and commands, but apply them consciously. At the same time, there is an opinion that you need to learn the right things right away, on the right system, in which everything is transparent and understandable, and there are no random glitches when something is set up correctly, but it does not work simply because the weather on Jupiter and generally "42". What system do you recommend?

Answer 1

RouterOS, JunOs, FreeBSD, any Linux server, IOS, ddwrt.

Answer 2

Stop at debian and openbsd.

Answer 3

I don’t think it makes much sense to assemble a router for learning in practice.
1) Experimenting with configs on combat hardware is a bad form.
2) An unsuccessful setup attempt will leave you without the Internet - the main assistant in solving the problem.
3) In reality, not much is required from a home router, so building a complex configuration and testing it in practice, without an appropriate network, will not work.
I recommend building a virtual network on this PC, where you can play around with different devices (all of the above in the question), make a choice and start studying, building more and more complex networks.
To do this, there are different versions of PacketTracer from Cisco, or open source developments like GNS3 or UnetLab.

Answer 4

"- And where do you want to go?" - Asked the Cat -
But it doesn't matter where - Alice answered
- Well, then it doesn't matter where to go ...
used to solve such problems. A task always has, for example, a budget. Not very large offices usually take Mikrotik as a router, those that are larger - a cisco, their ideology, by the way, is very similar.
If you just want to learn how to set up a router on UNIX, you can try several options. The problem here is not so much in trying, but in the further applicability of knowledge. For example, switching from FreeBSD to CentOS is quite simple. But with CentOS on Gentoo - it will be more difficult. There is certainly a certain general body of knowledge, but a software router is usually built on the basis of a regular distribution - and here the choice of distribution is essential.

Answer 5

I highly recommend VyOS - it's debian, bundled with scripts that make it similar to Junos in use, and retain the ability to tinker with Linux guts.
There are implementations of the main network protocols and technologies (bgp, ospf, firewall / nat, tunnels and any other little things). Convenient terminal with hints. In the giblets - Quagga, which was made as a clone of Cisco, so that when gaining experience with VyOS, both Tsiski and Juna will seem to be close relatives.
In addition, there is always the usual Linux bash and the rest, which makes it possible to get it too.

Answer 6

Ubuntu server is the biggest community and will always help if you don't know something.
But for starters, I would advise you not to cycle on the terminal. Deliver with GUI (LDE/XFCE - pretty lightweight). There is also a terminal there, but you can open a browser next to it with tips and help.

Answer 7

If you really want to learn Linux, then the best option is to put a regular desktop system on your desktop / laptop without the boot / dual boot option with Windows. For starters, something like opensuse\archa\ubunta. When half a year or a year passes and glimpses of understanding and convenience / inconvenience appear, you can think about the router and the best option would be something on the WRT firmware of a regular router. And after that, move towards x86 large home servers.

Answer 8

If the task is precisely to set up a stable home router on a PC, I would stop at pfSense (*BSD) and its forks. If you also want to dig into the configs yourself, then any linux and go ahead to study iptables.

Answer 9

If you learn the right things, then FreeBSD or Ubuntu server (mini.iso) (as a simplified option for learning).
If you need a ready-made solution with a bunch of gadgets and quite easy to understand for beginners, then in my opinion, Pfsense is better (a web-mortem based on FreeBSD 10 - there are a lot of tutorials on youtube on it).

Answer 10

It doesn't matter which OS you choose - the principles of networking are independent of the OS, in the RFC you will not find any mention of Linux or bsd. Therefore, on any OS, you can configure anything you want to work on the network. In addition, many of the network software are ported to different operating systems, and accordingly, they are configured in the same way.
For example, the pf firewall, which started with OpenBSD, is ported to FreeBSD (pfSense is built on it), it is also on Linux, etc.
It is more important to understand the principles of the network, rather than a specific implementation.
It is the understanding of the principles (theory) that will give awareness of actions.
Take the OS with which you directly work and the skills in which you can apply in life right now. There is no perfect OS, they can all do about the same thing (with different efficiency, but the efficiency often depends on the curvature of the hands) and even Windows. The experience gained on one OS is easily transferred to any other, because. The principles of network operation are the same everywhere.

Answer 11

To study "completely all network nuances" you need specialized pieces of iron with their OS - Cisco or Juniper.
And so - you will be able to study SOME network settings FOR A SPECIFIC OS, nothing more.
As for the choice of system, if necessary, sawing a router on ordinary hardware, I would install BSD.

Answer 12

OpenWrt, of course, it is made exactly for your purposes.