Cisco vs. VyOS: Choosing the Right Network Routing Solution

Cisco and VyOS both offer powerful routing capabilities, but their differences in market presence, cost, feature sets, and target audiences make them suitable for different scenarios. Whether you're a network engineer, service provider, or IT professional responsible for managing complex network infrastructures, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these solutions is crucial for making an informed decision.

In this comprehensive article, we'll explore the key factors to consider when choosing between Cisco and VyOS routers. We'll explore their market presence and reputations, cost considerations, product ranges and flexibility, support for cutting-edge technologies, target customers and use cases, and alternative solutions.

Market Presence and Reputation

Cisco’s Reputation

Cisco is a globally renowned brand with a strong market presence in enterprise networking. Its routers, such as the Cisco ASA firewall series, Integrated Services Routers (ISRs), and Catalyst switches, are widely adopted across industries, from small businesses to large corporations and service providers. Cisco's extensive product portfolio, decades of experience, and industry leadership have earned it a reputation for reliability, performance, and robust security features.

VyOS’s Reputation

On the other hand, VyOS (previously known as Vyatta) is an open-source network operating system based on Debian Linux, offering a comprehensive routing and firewall solution. While not as widely recognized as Cisco, VyOS has gained a dedicated following among network professionals, particularly in the open-source community, thanks to its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and active development community.

Cost Considerations

Cost of Cisco Products

One of the most significant differences between Cisco and VyOS is cost. Cisco routers are generally more expensive, with varying prices based on the specific model, features, and support requirements. Entry-level Cisco routers can cost several hundred dollars, while high-end enterprise models can quickly run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, Cisco often requires separate licensing fees for advanced features and software upgrades, further increasing the overall cost of ownership.

Cost of VyOS Software

In contrast, VyOS, being open-source, is free to download and use, making it an attractive option for organizations with limited budgets or those seeking cost-effective solutions. The only potential costs associated with VyOS are hardware acquisition (if deploying on bare-metal servers) and optional support subscriptions for commercial users.

Product Range and Flexibility

Cisco Product Range

Cisco offers a wide range of routers, from entry-level models suitable for small offices and home offices (SOHO) to high-end, carrier-grade routers for service providers and large enterprise deployments. This extensive product range allows customers to choose the appropriate router based on network size, performance requirements, and budget constraints.

Cisco's proprietary IOS (Internetwork Operating System) provides a consistent user experience across devices, enabling network engineers to leverage their existing knowledge and streamline configuration and management tasks. However, this proprietary nature also means that customizations and modifications are generally limited to what Cisco permits.

VyOS Product Range

In contrast, VyOS offers a single network operating system that can be deployed on various hardware platforms, including bare-metal servers, virtual machines (VMs), and cloud environments like VMware and Microsoft Azure. This flexibility allows organizations to leverage their existing hardware resources or spin up virtual routers on demand, reducing the need for dedicated hardware appliances.

Moreover, as an open-source solution, VyOS provides greater flexibility for customization and integration with third-party tools and scripts, enabling organizations to tailor the solution to their specific needs.

Cutting-Edge Technologies

Cisco and VyOS support modern networking technologies and protocols, such as BGP, OSPF, VPNs (including IPsec and OpenVPN), and advanced routing features like policy-based, static, dynamic, and multicast support. However, Cisco often leads the way in introducing new features and technologies, thanks to its extensive research and development efforts and close collaboration with industry partners and standards bodies.

Cisco Technology Overview

Cisco routers are known for their comprehensive security features, including advanced firewall capabilities, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and support for various authentication and encryption protocols like RADIUS, TACACS+, and IPsec VPNs. Additionally, Cisco offers proprietary technologies like TrustSec for end-to-end network security and Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) for automated policy enforcement and network segmentation.

VyOS Technology Overview

While VyOS may not always be at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies, it benefits from the open-source community's contributions and the agility of rapid development cycles. The VyOS project actively incorporates new features and updates, ensuring the solution remains relevant and compatible with emerging networking standards and protocols.

Target Customers and Use Cases

Cisco Product Use Cases

Cisco routers are widely adopted by large enterprises, service providers, and organizations with complex networking requirements. Their robust hardware, extensive feature set, and enterprise-grade support make them particularly suitable for mission-critical applications and environments that demand high availability, robust security, and comprehensive support options.

VyOS Product Use Cases

In contrast, VyOS is a popular choice for small and medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, and organizations seeking a cost-effective routing solution with high flexibility and customization. Its open-source nature and compatibility with various hardware platforms make it an attractive option for organizations with limited budgets or those looking to repurpose existing hardware resources.

Additionally, VyOS finds use cases in-network labs and testing environments, where its virtual deployment capabilities and low resource footprint allow network engineers and students to experiment with routing configurations and network topologies without the need for expensive dedicated hardware.

Alternatives to Consider

While Cisco and VyOS are prominent players in the routing market, there are other alternatives worth considering. Netgate pfSense Plus and TNSR software are compelling high-performance secure networking solutions with a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). pfSense Plus and TNSR software serve a wide range of environments, from small offices to large enterprises. The open-source foundation of pfSense Plus ensures a robust, security-focused platform, while TNSR software brings next-generation routing capabilities, supporting high-speed packet processing and extensive VPN connectivity. 

Conclusion

Choosing between Cisco and VyOS routers involves carefully weighing cost, feature requirements, organizational needs, and long-term goals. Cisco offers a proven, enterprise-grade solution with a wide range of products, robust security features, and extensive support options, making it a preferred choice for large enterprises, service providers, and mission-critical environments.

On the other hand, VyOS provides a flexible, open-source alternative that excels in cost-effectiveness, customization, and compatibility with various hardware platforms. Its virtual deployment capabilities and active development community make it an attractive option for organizations seeking a cost-effective routing solution or those looking to repurpose existing hardware resources.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on thoroughly evaluating your specific networking requirements, budget constraints, and the long-term vision for your organization's network infrastructure. Both Cisco and VyOS offer powerful routing capabilities, and the choice between them often comes down to striking the right balance between cost, features, and operational requirements.

For organizations with complex networking needs, stringent security requirements, and the budget to support enterprise-grade solutions, Cisco routers may be the preferred choice. They offer a comprehensive feature set, robust security features, and a wide range of hardware options.

Conversely, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and leveraging existing hardware resources are priorities. In that case, VyOS presents a compelling open-source alternative, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses or organizations with limited budgets.

Regardless of your choice, it's essential to evaluate your organization's unique needs carefully, consult with experienced network professionals, and consider the long-term implications of your decision. Proper planning, implementation, and ongoing maintenance are crucial to ensuring a seamless and secure network infrastructure, whether you choose Cisco, VyOS, or any other routing solution.

Cisco vs. VyOS Q&A

Is VyOS still free?

Yes, VyOS is still free and open-source software. It can be downloaded and used without licensing costs, making it a cost-effective option for organizations and individuals.

What is the use of VyOS?

VyOS is primarily used as a network routing and firewall solution. It can be deployed as a router, firewall, VPN server, and Wi-Fi access point, making it a versatile network appliance for various use cases.

Is VyOS a firewall?

VyOS includes a built-in firewall with features like stateful packet inspection, network address translation (NAT), and support for various firewall rules and configurations. It can be used as a dedicated firewall appliance or a combined router and firewall solution.

What is the base OS of VyOS?

VyOS is based on the Debian Linux distribution. It leverages Debian's stability and security while providing a specialized network operating system tailored for routing and firewall functionality.

What is Azure Virtual WAN?

Azure Virtual WAN is a managed cloud service provided by Microsoft Azure that simplifies the management and connectivity of cloud and on-premises resources. It enables features like automated site-to-site VPN connectivity, branch-to-branch connectivity, and centralized routing and security policy management across multiple hub locations.