Why iproute2?

Most Linux distributions, and most UNIX's, currently use the venerable arp, ifconfig and route commands. While these tools work, they show some unexpected behaviour under Linux 2.2 and up. For example, GRE tunnels are an integral part of routing these days, but require completely different tools.

With iproute2, tunnels are an integral part of the tool set.

The 2.2 and above Linux kernels include a completely redesigned network subsystem. This new networking code brings Linux performance and a feature set with little competition in the general OS arena. In fact, the new routing, filtering, and classifying code is more featureful than the one provided by many dedicated routers and firewalls and traffic shaping products.

As new networking concepts have been invented, people have found ways to plaster them on top of the existing framework in existing OSes. This constant layering of cruft has lead to networking code that is filled with strange behaviour, much like most human languages. In the past, Linux emulated SunOS's handling of many of these things, which was not ideal.

This new framework makes it possible to clearly express features previously beyond Linux's reach.

http://lartc.org/howto/lartc.iproute2.html#LARTC.IPROUTE2.WHY

http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/Net:Iproute2

http://itsecureadmin.blogspot.com/2007/02/creating-virtual-ip-addresses-on-linux.html

Open source networking -

Vyatta has changed the networking world by developing the first commercially supported, open-source router, firewall, VPN solution to provide an alternative to over-priced, inflexible products from proprietary vendors. Vyatta delivers the features, performance, and reliability of an enterprise-class secure router with the added benefits of flexible deployment options--x86 hardware, blade servers, virtualization-- freedom to integrate applications, and the economic advantages of commodity hardware and components.

Introduce new levels of economics, choice, and control into your network:

Economics: Save 50% or more over proprietary products! Leverage industry standard x86 servers and off-the-shelf components.

Choice: Simplify network deployment by running Vyatta on: Vyatta appliances, x86 hardware, server blades, or common virtualization platforms.

Control: Source code availability and community influence allow for faster feature integration and the freedom to build your own custom solutions.

Jagdeep Singh - Infinera - 100Gb Ethernet

Infinera has been an early mover in support of 100-Gbit/s Ethernet. In November, the company showed off its 100-Gig technology with a team that also included Finisar Corp. (Nasdaq: FNSR - message board), Level 3 Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT - message board), Internet2 , and researchers from the University of California at Santa Cruz. For that demo, the team split the 100-Gig signal into 10 lines of 10-Gbit/s each, showing that 100-GigE is possible on current 10-Gbit/s infrastructure. (See Infinera Demos 100GigE.)

But the company's scrappy spirit is just a reflection of its founder. In an interview after his company's first earnings call, Singh told Light Reading that getting customers to switch to Infinera's system is a "good validation" of the economic advantage it can provide. After all, he asked, "Can you name another major North American long-haul network that was not awarded to the incumbent?"

The Ultimate Net Monitoring Tool

Narus' product, the Semantic Traffic Analyzer, is a software application that runs on standard IBM or Dell servers using the Linux operating system. It's renowned within certain circles for its ability to inspect traffic in real time on high-bandwidth pipes, identifying packets of interest as they race by at up to 10 Gbps.

Internet companies can install the analyzers at every entrance and exit point of their networks, at their "cores" or centers, or both. The analyzers communicate with centralized "logic servers" running specialized applications. The combination can keep track of, analyze and record nearly every form of internet communication, whether e-mail, instant message, video streams or VOIP phone calls that cross the network.

D-Link DGL-4300 802.11g Gaming Router

D-Link’s GamerLounge introduces the Wireless Gaming Router. In addition to high-powered wireless performance and Gigabit LAN ports, this router features GameFuel Priority technology specifically designed to provide a seamless user experience for bandwidth-intense applications like online gaming, multimedia streaming, and Voice over IP (VoIP) applications. GameFuel Priority features a custom traffic routing engine, which automatically prioritizes and intelligently manages these bandwidth-sensitive applications. Stay competitive in your game and still have enough available bandwidth to make VoIP calls and enjoy your audio and video streams.

I was looking for Gigabit LAN and wireless in one. Looks like this works. A bit pricey, but it looks sexy.