Router Performance metrics detailed

Editor's note: This article will give readers a detailed introduction of all aspects of the router, including router type, router configuration, routing protocol support, multicast support, router performance specific performance indicators.

Router type

This table key compares whether the router is a modular structure. Modular structure of the router generally better scalability, can support a variety of port types, such as Ethernet interface, Fast Ethernet interface, high-speed serial port, and so on, the number of types of ports are generally optional. Prices are usually more expensive. Fixed configuration router Scalability is poor, only for fixed type and number of ports, the general price is relatively cheap.

Router configuration

Interface type

Enumerate the types of interfaces that routers can support, and show the versatility of routers. Common interface types are: Universal Serial interface (converted to rs232 Dte/dce interface via cable, v.35 DTE/DCE interface, x.21 Dte/dce interface, rs449 Dte/dce interface and EIA530 DTE interface), 10M Ethernet interface, Fast Ethernet interface, 10/100 Adaptive Ethernet Interface, Gigabit Ethernet interface, ATM interface (2M, 25M, 155M, 633M, etc.), POS interface (155M, 622M, etc.), Token Ring interface, FDDI interface, E1/T1 interface, E3/T3 interface, ISDN interface, etc.

Number of slots available to users

This indicator refers to the number of slots in a modular router that can be used by users other than CPU boards, clock boards, and/or system board-specific slots. Depending on the metric and the user board port density, the maximum number of ports supported by the router can be computed.

Cpu

The CPU is the heart of the router, both in low-end routers and in high-end routers. Typically, in low-end routers, the CPU is responsible for exchanging routing information, routing table lookups, and forwarding packets. In the above routers, the CPU's capability directly affects the throughput of the router (routing table lookup time) and the routing computation capability (which affects the network routing convergence time). In high-end routers, packet forwarding and look-up tables are usually done by ASIC chips, which only implement routing protocols, compute routes, and distribute routing tables. Due to the development of technology, many of the work in routers can be realized by hardware (dedicated chip). CPU performance does not fully reflect router performance. Router performance is represented by router throughput, latency, and routing computation capabilities.

Memory

There may be a variety of memory in the router, such as Flash, DRAM, and so on. Memory is used as storage configuration, router operating system, routing protocol software and so on. In low-end routers, the routing table may be stored in memory. In general, the larger the router memory, the better (regardless of the price). But like CPU power, memory does not directly reflect the performance and capabilities of the router. Because efficient algorithms and good software can greatly conserve memory.

Port density

This index embodies the integration of router production. Because the size of the router is different, this metric should be reduced to the number of ports per inch in the rack. However, for intuitive and convenient use, routers can often be substituted for the maximum number of supports per port.

Routing protocol Support

Routing Information Protocol (RIP)

RIP is a routing protocol based on the distance vector, which is usually used as a measure standard by using the hop number. RIP is an internal gateway protocol. Because of the simplicity of RIP implementation, it is the most widely used routing protocol. The protocol converges slowly and is generally used in smaller networks. The RIP protocol is provided in RFC 1058.

Routing Information Protocol version 2 (RIPV2)

This protocol is an improved version of RIP, allowing more information to be carried and compatible with RIP. Add the address mask (CIDR), the next hop address, optional authentication information, etc. on the basis of RIP. This version is normalized in RFC 1723.

Open Shortest Path Priority Protocol version 2 (OSPFV2)

The protocol is a routing protocol based on link state, which is designed by the IETF Internal Gateway protocol team for IP development, as a subsequent internal gateway protocol for RIP. The role of OSPF lies in minimum cost routing, multiple same path calculation and load balancing. OSPF has two main features of openness and the use of SPF algorithms.

Intermediate System-Intermediate System Protocol (ISIS)

The ISIS protocol is also a routing protocol based on link state. The protocol, proposed by ISO, was initially used in the OSI network environment and later modified to operate in a dual environment. The protocol is similar to the OSPF protocol and can be used for large-scale IP networks as an internal gateway protocol.

Edge Gateway Protocol (BGP4)

The BGP protocol is an inter domain routing protocol used to replace EGP. BGP4 is the most popular and only optional autonomous inter-domain routing protocol on the current IP network. This version of the protocol supports CIDR and can be used to greatly reduce the routing table using the routing aggregation mechanism. The BGP4 protocol can use a variety of attributes to flexibly control routing strategies.

802.3, 802.1Q support

802.3 is the IEEE Standard for Ethernet. Routers that support Ethernet interfaces must conform to the 802.3 protocol. 802.1Q is the standard of IEEE for virtual networks. A 802.1Q-compliant router interface can support multiple VLANs on the same physical interface.