Router purchase help (BGP with two ISPs),

[PHead2]

Hi, I'm going to setup a multihomed network using T1s from two ISPs with BGP4 and need a little guidance on what router to purchase, specifically how much RAM I will need. Will 128 MB be enough or do I need 256MB?

I am thinking of going with a 2621XM with 128MB RAM and two T1 WICs. Will this be sufficient or do I need something better?

Also, my understanding is that the basic software (IP) that comes with this router will handle my needs. Do I need to purchase any addtional options?

Thanks!

 

[IPKONFIG]

Those routers will struggle. If your planning on running BGP, and full routes to the internet, then you'll need something with more horsepower. What ever router you decide to buy, max out the RAM. It's worth it.

By the way, if your wondering what I'd use? I'd use two 7206 VXR routers. But that's me.

"I can picture a world without war. A world without hate. A world without fear. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it."
- Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts

 

[PHead2]

Those are a little out of my budget ranger .

What would you consider to be the minimum router to acheive decent performance?

 

[IPKONFIG]

Well for starters, you can use those 2600's, just don't run full routes. There are over 127,000 routes on the internet today. You don't want to put an underpowered router in and have problem later. Look at the 2691 router. It's a more high powered router. If you have a Cisco rep, have them come in a talk with you about what you want and how you want to do it. They'll give you some good options to fit your budget.

"I can picture a world without war. A world without hate. A world without fear. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it."
- Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts

 

[tschouten]

That would definitely cover BGP. And then some...

I agree with IPKONFIG the 2621 would not perform the greatest in this case. However, I vary on the suggestion of what to use. I mean how many remote sites are you going to connect to use these two isps, how many users will there be, blah blah etc etc? My suggestion would be a 3700 series router with maxed memory to conform to a budget need (ie if your budget is tight). However, if you can afford it I highly recomend the 7206 VXR like IPKONFIG said. The 2621XM will work but not if you are going to have a high volume of users or bandwidth consumption.

 

[PHead2]

We have ~25 users accessing the internet and about 30 users accessing our servers via the internet using Terminal Services (Windows). We are not connecting any remote sites to the internet, just our LAN.

The 7206 is definitely too expensive, the 2691 may be doable.