Question

linux computer as network switch

Asked by: bryanlloydharris

Hi,

I have a computer and several network cards.  Is there software to create my own switch out of this?  I guess it wouldn't have to be linux, but being free would be nice.

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Asked On
2006-12-01 at 08:32:53ID22079309
Tags

linux

,

network

,

switch

Topic

Linux Administration

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: ravenplPosted on 2006-12-02 at 03:29:07ID: 18059334

linux bridge over multiple NICs is exactly what is called switch.
http://linux-net.osdl.org/index.php/Bridge
http://www.faqs.org/docs/Linux-HOWTO/BRIDGE-STP-HOWTO.html

 

by: joshmia2001Posted on 2006-12-02 at 09:56:10ID: 18060312

 Linux makes a great router / firewall, but seriously buy a low cost low power consuming switch device.  You can get one anywhere from 30 bucks to 2000 bucks.  You will be wasting your time and electric creating a linux based switch on a PC.  If you plan to go embedded that's another story and costs a-lot more than any off the shelf device that already works.  If you need help creating a linux based firewall / router.. .Just ask...

  Joshua McDowell

 

by: bryanlloydharrisPosted on 2006-12-02 at 11:23:44ID: 18060564

Raven thanks for the links.

Josh I am not too sure about any real use, but I'm just curious if it's possible and since it seems interesting I thought I might read about it.  Wouldn't it be useful if the computer had OpenBGP, or is that for routers only?

 

by: ravenplPosted on 2006-12-02 at 11:26:06ID: 18060571

BGP is for routers only. Border Gateway Protocol is for dynamic routing in wide area networks.

 

by: joshmia2001Posted on 2006-12-02 at 12:09:27ID: 18060710

 Sure you could probably hack around with OpenBGP, but it was never intended to be used in that way.  If you ask me, such standards just make for security holes and head aches.  I can certainly understand your being curious about these things, I am still kicking around the idea of a 500mhz risc embedded switch that I design most every aspect of..  I have even thought about some sort of ASIC design, but the asic is far beyond my grasp.

Joshua

 

by: bryanlloydharrisPosted on 2006-12-02 at 17:36:56ID: 18061492

Thanks for the discussion, it was very interesting.

 

by: ravenplPosted on 2006-12-02 at 23:41:52ID: 18062422

I don't think You can tune/hack bgp to be usefull in eth switch - it's designed for totally different thing. But whatever.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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