Cisco IOS vs VyOS

Struggling to choose between Cisco IOS and VyOS? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Cisco IOS is a Network & Admin solution with tags like router, switch, networking, cisco.

It boasts features such as Routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, etc), Switching functions (VLANs, STP, VTP, etc), Security features (ACLs, VPN, firewall, etc), QoS and traffic shaping, Device management and configuration and pros including Very robust and reliable, Wide range of features and functionality, Well-known and widely deployed, Supports wide range of Cisco hardware platforms, Regular updates and security patches.

On the other hand, VyOS is a Network & Admin product tagged with router, firewall, vpn.

Its standout features include Routing protocols like BGP, OSPF, RIP, Stateful firewall, VPN support (IPSec, WireGuard, OpenVPN), CLI configuration, Modular architecture, Runs on commodity hardware, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, High performance, Very flexible and customizable, Active development community, Supports wide range of hardware platforms.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Cisco IOS

Cisco IOS

Cisco IOS is an operating system that runs on Cisco routers and switches. It provides routing, switching, security, and other functionality needed to build and manage networks.

Categories:
router switch networking cisco

Cisco IOS Features

  1. Routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, etc)
  2. Switching functions (VLANs, STP, VTP, etc)
  3. Security features (ACLs, VPN, firewall, etc)
  4. QoS and traffic shaping
  5. Device management and configuration

Pricing

  • Subscription-Based
  • Pay-As-You-Go

Pros

Very robust and reliable

Wide range of features and functionality

Well-known and widely deployed

Supports wide range of Cisco hardware platforms

Regular updates and security patches

Cons

Proprietary and limited to Cisco devices

Steep learning curve

Licensing costs for advanced features

Vendor lock-in


VyOS

VyOS

VyOS is an open-source network operating system that provides software-based network routing, firewall, VPN, and more. It is designed for high performance and flexibility.

Categories:
router firewall vpn

VyOS Features

  1. Routing protocols like BGP, OSPF, RIP
  2. Stateful firewall
  3. VPN support (IPSec, WireGuard, OpenVPN)
  4. CLI configuration
  5. Modular architecture
  6. Runs on commodity hardware

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

High performance

Very flexible and customizable

Active development community

Supports wide range of hardware platforms

Cons

Limited GUI options

Steeper learning curve than commercial alternatives

Lacks some features found in proprietary NOSes

Less beginner friendly than options like pfSense