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Can You Purchase Switch Hardware Without an OS?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the barebones-hardware dept.

dhahn asks: "I have a project where I'm building a large Linux router (about 40 ports or so). At this point, my only hardware solution is to purchase a box with lots of PCI-ish slots and fill them multi-port ethernet cards. I've looked into currently available solutions and haven't found anything that gives me the control I want. Does anyone know of where I could purchase a 'naked switch?' I just want the switch hardware with enough guts to allow me to customize a Linux OS and load it up." If anyone else has been in this situation, what did you do?

2 of 70 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Get a Cisco by sirket · · Score: 0, Troll

    Or he could get a real switch from Foundry :)

    Seriously though- Cisco makes terrible switches. Oversubscribed ports, slow backplanes, etc. Add to this the fact that their TAC has gone to pot (ask just about anyone on NANOG) and they're not a sound choice right now.

    -sirket

  2. Being rude is rude... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
    Why is it that 9 out of 10 posts here merely question the motives or intelligence of the poster instead of just using your brain power to answer the question? If you want to post and flame, find something better to do...

    Maybe this guy is just interested in the concept? Or maybe he's an IT Manager looking for forward thinking brains to hire that like to live outside the box? Or maybe he's a n00b who doesn't know anything, but last I checked, this site wasn't called "judge-dot," but whatever...

    I just figured after reading 10+ posts about "what a moron the poster is" and "why does he say router when he means switch" etc, I'd post my own mini-flame for all the flamers and suggest that you use your time - and mine - more constructively by simply not participating if you don't have something that is at least positive or good-natured to offer...

    What is your point? To prove you know more than someone else on the board? Well, good for you, you do. No need to be condescending about it... That doesn't help anyone beyond your own artificially inflated anonymous ego, but hey, if you need that pat on the back, pat away I guess...

    But if you really ARE that bright, try showing a little humility and try getting outside that little WOW-indulgent hovel of a box you exist in and answer the actual question as best you can...