[clug] Linux Router

[Kim Holburn]

On 2004 Jun 21, , at 5:16 PM, Duncan Bolt wrote:
> We are planning on setting up a linux router in between the rest of 
> the network and our small group of Alphas.
>
> So we want to be able to move large data sets to the alphas. So we 
> would like the router to be fast.

?? How fast?

> What sort of network cards should we use ?
>
> Would a 400 MHz celeron with a pair of rtl8139 cards be fast enough ?

rtl8139 I think are not as fast as and use more cpu resources than say 
intel eepro100.  If you're talking about 100 Mb ethernet the realtek 
might be fast enough, it depends on how much work the processors are 
doing - like say how many iptables rules each packet has to traverse.

Memory is important too.

If you want fast you have to go to Gb cards, PCIX/64

> Or do we need some sort of bus mastering ultra fast 3Com cards ?
>
> Duncan
>
> -- 
>
> Duncan Bolt
> IT Officer
> Research School of Earth Sciences
> Old Hospital Building, A-Block, Building 61-A
> The Australian National University
> Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
> T: +61 2 6125 3249
> F: +61 2 6125 0738
> M: 0404 014 827
> W: http://rses.anu.edu.au
> CRICOS Provider #00120C
>
>
-- 
Kim Holburn
IT Manager, Canberra Research Laboratory
National Information and Communication Technology Australia
Ph: +61 2 61258620 M: +61 0417820641
Email: kim.holburn at anu.edu.au  - PGP Public Key on request

Democracy imposed from without is the severest form of tyranny.
                           -- Lloyd Biggle, Jr. Analog, Apr 1961