linux router vs cisco router

[Gwiz]

Hello!

i'm new to the networking world, i have 6 month experience with cisco routers and switches and recently i got my CCNA.I am wondering...what is best? linux router or cisco router; the major drawback to cisco products is their price...and on the other hand linux is free, you only need a server ( which is very cheap) if u use it only for routing and switching.

What do you think guys?

I'm sure that there are a lot of experienced network admins here, who can perhaps share their knowledge...with us the little guys , who are at the beginning of their carrer!

thank you in advance!

[fatalexception]

I've read that computers are a more flexible solution, and that makes a lot of sense. For example, your *nix based router can serve other purposes other than merely routing. Perhaps you can implement features a particular router might not have, such as port knocking.

On the other hand, now that I think about it, with a *nix solution, you'd have to have the extra know-how necessary to administer the machine yourself. I'd imagine a product whose sole purpose is to be a router would be easier to configure for a *nix newbie, not to mention the customer support.

It'll be interesting to see what people experienced in this field have to say. I'm curious as well.