For small and medium-sized enterprises, there are many free open-source router and firewall solutions, and there are even several solutions for large enterprises. Many of them also provide other LAN services, such as virtual private network VPN) servers, hotspot gateways, and forced Network portal captive portals ).
This article will introduce some free and open router projects, including those suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, and even some solutions comparable to Cisco and Juniper.
DD-WRT
DD-WRT is a Linux-based firmware router designed to replace consumer-level wireless routers, suitable for small businesses. In addition to serving as an Internet gateway and network router, it also provides OpenVPN server and client, SSH server, FTP server, hotspot and forced network portal services. Other general functions support multiple Service Set Identifiers (SSID), virtual lan vlan), and custom startup scripts and firewall scripts.
You can check this router database http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database) to see which wireless routers are supported and which DD-WRT variants it supports. It also provides a wiki page with FAQs) and installation and configuration help. Some routers can easily use the Web-based control panel of the router to refresh with firmware from the accessory market, while some routers require you to connect through TFTP. It even provides operation instructions for specific hardware.
Web: http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/index
ZeroShell
ZeroShell is a Linux release that you can mount to your PC, server, and embedded devices. In addition to providing basic LAN services, it also provides RADIUS servers for enterprise-level wireless security, HTTP proxy servers with anti-virus features, OpenVPN servers and clients, and forced network portals. Other general functions include load balancing and Failover for multiple Internet connections, as well as AP for wireless access points, and support for multiple SSID and virtual LAN.
You can download ZeroShell by using Live CD, hard disk image, vmwarevm, or Compact Flash image. It provides some limited instruction documents through articles written by developers and communities. You may also want to see my series of articles on ZeroShell http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/tutorials/6731/1 ).
URL: http://www.zeroshell.net/
RouterOS
RouterOS is a Linux-based operating system, which is used by MikroTik's RouterBOARD product series. It can also be installed on X86-based PCs and servers and run on them. In addition to basic firewalls and network services, it also supports many VPN protocols, RADIUS servers and clients, TFTP servers, and hotspot gateways. In addition, it provides many routing protocols and multiple wireless modes.
A set of basic functions of RouterOS are available for free. Additional functions are available at multiple license levels.
You can install RouterOS on a machine through a boot installation CD, or use the Netinstall utility to install it on a secondary disk from Windows, then load it to the PC or server that acts as the router. Configuration tools and Web-based interfaces can be configured through local access, serial console, Telnet, SSH access, and GUI named Winbox. You can even use API programming interfaces to build your own control applications.
You can try RouterOS like this: access its Online Demo router http://www.mikrotik.com/software.html via Telnet) or download and use the graphic application Winbox. It provides a wiki page http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Main_Page) with instructions and other community and developer resources.
Web: http://www.mikrotik.com/software.html
Untangle
Untangle is an open-source operating system that can be installed on X86 PC and server and run on it. It can act as the router and firewall of your network, or run with your existing router to act as a transparent bridge. In addition to common LAN services, the free Lite software package provides spyware, advertising software, malware, intrusion protection, and other services, as well as OpenVPN and forced network portals. Advanced software packages include Web filtering, improved Malware Protection, IPsec VPN, Wan load balancing, failover, and other services.
You can install the Untangle on a dedicated PC or server with a strong boot drive. You can use the drag-and-drop GUI command center to complete local configuration. You can find comprehensive instructions on its wiki page http://wiki.untangle.com/index.php/Main_Page. You can also refer to an article http://www.esecurityplanet.com/views/article.php/3926016/How-to-Protect-an-Entire-Network-with-Untangle.htm I wrote earlier) to learn more and see how to get started.
URL: http://www.untangle.com/
Endian
Endian provides its free community edition for network and security device software, and provides unified Threat Management (UTM) function. This Linux release provides services such as network address translation (NAT), DHCP, firewall, VPN, anti-virus, anti-spam, Web security, and content filtering. It requires a dedicated machine or virtual machine and occupies very little system resources.
You only need to access the Online Demo http://www.endian.com/us/products/demo/) to learn about some of the features of Endian.
URL: http://www.endian.com/
Clear OS
ClearOS provides three versions of its network operating system: ClearOS Home edition will be available soon), ClearOS Enterprise Edition, and ClearOS core edition-all of which are completely open and free. In addition to basic routing and network services, they also provide services such as anti-virus, anti-spam, VPN, and content filtering.
You can learn more about ClearOS through Online Demo http://www.clearfoundation.com/Software/live-demo.html. On ClearCenter.com, you can find the ClearOS Enterprise Edition User Guide and video tutorial.
URL: http://www.clearfoundation.com/
Vyatta
Vyatta provides a free community edition for enterprise-level network operating systems. Its functions are comparable to the commercial edition solutions of Cisco and Juniper. It is a Debian-based Linux release that can run on the X86 platform, or on VMware, Citrix XenServer, Xen, KVM, and other virtual machine hypervisor. In addition to the routing protocol and other typical network services, it also provides services such as Web filtering, IPsec site-to-site VPN, remote access VPN, and OpenVPN.
Vyatta can be downloaded through a self-generated system disc or as a 32-bit or trial version 64-bit virtual machine image. It also provides a comprehensive documentation http://www.vyatta.org/documentation ).
URL: http://www.vyatta.com/
Link: http://www.serverwatch.com/server-reviews/7-open-and-free-network-servers.html