Choosing Hardware or Software Routing

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

A router is a device that holds information about the state of its own network interfaces and contains a list of possible sources and destinations for network traffic. The router directs incoming and outgoing packets based on that information. By projecting network traffic and routing needs based on the number and types of hardware devices and applications used in your environment, you can better decide whether to use a dedicated hardware router, a software-based router, or a combination of both. Generally, dedicated hardware routers handle heavier routing demands best, and less expensive software-based routers are sufficient to handle lighter routing loads.

A software-based routing solution, such as the Windows Server 2003 Routing and Remote Access service, can be ideal on a small, segmented network with relatively light traffic between subnets. Conversely, enterprise network environments that have a large number of network segments and a wide range of performance requirements might need a variety of hardware-based routers to perform different roles throughout the network.