Fwall/Router Network Appliance vs. stock mdk9 Fwall/Router box
 

I wondering what is the difference in performance between a stock install of mdk9 as a Firewall/Router and a Firewall/Router network appliance (running Linux)?

** Stock mdk9 box has Intel Pentium III @ 800mhz and 256MB RAM, and 100mbit PCI Network card. Network appliance only has 100mbit RJ-45 ports.

What are the other differences?

Are there T-1 network cards made for regular PC's? I believe these may be referred to as WIC's (Wan Interface Cards).

The differences come down to the processor speed and busy time.

A stock Mandy install includes a huge amount of superfluous software, all taking cpu time.
A bare box firewall/router can be booted from a floppy disk, eg LEAF or even loaded into a new LinuxBIOS rom, eg www.linuxbios.org

This becomes a streamlined device, only what is needed is installed.
The performance then depends on the amount of RAM, for holding connection tracking data, fragmentation queues, VPN decodes etc.

This article gives a greater description http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=5826

Thank you
 

Thank you. This was exactly the information I needed. With a little help of my CCNA enabled co-worker I should be able to turn our Pentium III-500mhz systems into NAT/Fwall/VPN routers.