If i were to setup a linux router instead of deploying a cisco router in a large corporate network(WAN and LAN),what are the advantages and disadvantages over each other? Which has a faster switching performance, and what are your opinions?

i really don't know much about either but this is my 2 cents. For a major network i'd go with a cisco router because then you could leave all tech support to cisco. But then there is the cost issue, not sure but i do believe cisco rounters cost a lot, especially if you are buying one for a large corporate network. As far as performance goes I really can't say but i doubt you can match the speed of a cisco router on a PC bought from the loca Best Buy, but like I stated before, I really could be wrong and would not advise you to rely soley on my thoughts on the issue.

Buying Cisco will get you a few things. First is engineering. A router is a specialized device that is made to do one things - route. Uptime on a router should be better than Linux simply because Linux runs on off the shelf hardware while a router has only what is needs to route. There is no hard drive to fail, it uses much less power and gives out much less heat. You can also get much better port density with Cisco gear. It also gives you a company that will guarantee a certain amount of uptime. Performance however is not going to be an issue until you get up into the super high end stuff (and with the right machine Linux could probably still keep up).

--jeremy

In comparing between the two, which has a better security in terms of IPsec, tunneling, IP encapsulating? Which one is less prone to denial of service attack? Please give your opinion regarding the security issue among linux and cisco router.

For the issues you mention security has more to do with configuration than platform. In general I would say that cisco stuff is more secure by default simply because it runs a very specific OS. Linux on the other hand is a general OS and some default installs are very insecure.

--jeremy

I started drooling when I saw this thread. I'm a CCNA in training and can answer your question. I can finally use my training on this board.

Basically if your looking for a router to interface between large LAN and WAN technology (Probably a T1 through OC12) I would definitely suggest a Cisco product. It's really easy to setup simple routing. Out of the box its relatively secure. Only concern is an open telnet port that can be easily shut off. A Cisco router is a set it and check once-a-year type device. The only real drawback is the price. You could easily pay $3000 for a corporate level router. I'm not really sure about which solution has "faster switching" but I can almost guarantee that you wouldn't be unsatisfied with a Cisco router.

Theres my Cisco plug (Where's my commission)
E-mail me if you want help working with the Cisco IOS.
drewkennerly AT hotmail POINT com