Networking
Provide scalable routing, redundancy, policy and management features.
Era1980s-present
Architecture / focusBranch, campus and WAN routing
What to compare
Compare generation, intended workload, performance, energy use, expandability, software support and total maintenance needs. Product names alone rarely identify every important compatibility difference.
Compatibility and security
Use hardened administration, configuration backups, logging and timely advisories.
Reference note: Specifications and support status can vary by exact model, release, board revision and vendor policy. Verify critical decisions with the manufacturer or project documentation.