Netgate Releases TNSR Software Version 26.02

Netgate® is pleased to announce the release of TNSR® software version 26.02. This regularly scheduled release includes additional hardware support, new capabilities, updates, and bug fixes. The Release Notes are available for review. 

Overview

TNSR is a high-performance software router and VPN concentrator that delivers speed, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Leveraging technologies like vector packet processing (VPP), TNSR software offers advanced routing and VPN capabilities for enterprises, service providers, and government organizations at an unbeatable total cost of ownership.

TNSR is available on Netgate systems or on AWS and Azure cloud platforms. It achieves speeds and performance that would otherwise be reserved for traditional ASIC-based hardware routers, but at a fraction of the cost. TNSR is the answer for businesses, governments, and xSPs looking for scalable routing without the six-figure price tag.

TNSR combines the FD.io Vector Packet Processor (VPP), a fast, scalable layer 2-7 network stack with NETCONF and RESTCONF APIs, with a control plane that combines FRR and Strongswan, as well as an intuitive CLI for configuration and monitoring.

The result is a product that delivers high performance in mission-critical site-to-site, edge-to-cloud, data center, and VPN scenarios. This product is complemented by Netgate's 24x365 Technical Assistance Center, and we stand ready to support your critical business requirements every day.

This release contains new features, and over 30 fixes and enhancements, including:

Feature Highlights

VPF High Availability State Synchronization

VPF High Availability state data synchronization now uses heartbeat packets to communicate uptime data with peers on the existing channels in the opposite direction. This allows peers to automatically re-synchronize connection data when they restart. This requires no additional VPF configuration.

This new feature causes a pattern change in VPF HA traffic as these packets use the existing defined ports in the opposite direction. Users who opted to create VPF filter rules on the interface carrying VPF HA synchronization data may need to adjust these rules to allow the heartbeat packets. VPF HA will still function without being able to exchange heartbeat packets, but it will not automatically trigger an update when a peer restarts.

VPF Statistics Output Filters

Users can now filter VPF connection statistics output by connection type. Examples include filter, endpoint-independent NAT, and endpoint-dependent NAT. This makes troubleshooting and gathering NAT statistics simpler and easier to read.

Dynamic Routing Prefix-List Sequence Numbers

Prior versions of TNSR software incorrectly allowed dynamic routing prefix list entries to have a sequence value of 0. The incorrect entry was rejected by FRR, and would prevent routing daemons utilizing such prefix lists from functioning properly.

Note: When upgrading to this version of TNSR software, if a prefix list entry has a sequence value of 0, TNSR will renumber entries in the prefix list starting at 1. The upgrade process will change sequence numbers only when necessary and will renumber as few entries as possible.

Other Enhancements

In addition to VPP being updated to version Stable/2510, and DPDK updated to 25.07, this version also includes over 30 bug fixes and stability enhancements. Please see release notes for more details.

Installing the TNSR Version 26.02 Upgrade

For detailed upgrade instructions, please refer to the Upgrade Guide on our TNSR documentation page.

We recommend saving a backup of the TNSR configuration before making any significant changes or upgrades. You will find Backup and Recovery instructions on our TNSR documentation page.

Netgate Technical Assistance

This TNSR 26.02 software release is ready for use in production environments. Should any issues arise, please post to our forum or contact the Netgate Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for professional assistance.

We’re happy to discuss your needs in detail so we can provide you with the best solution for your business. Please contact one of our authorized partners or our Netgate sales team for assistance.