VyOS

VyOS is a freely distributed and open source Linux-based operating system that uses the latest upstream Vyatta release to provide system administrators with a network OS that includes only open source software for transforming any computer into a viable and reliable network router or firewall.

Distributed as 32-bit and 64-bit installable only CDs

While the distribution is available for download as installable only CD ISO image or approximately 200MB in size each, designed to run on physical 32-bit and 64-bit platforms, it is distributed as virtual ISO images that run on virtual platforms.

Text-mode boot loader with useful information

The CD ISO images can be burned onto blank CD discs or written on USB flash drives of at least 512MB capacity in order to boot them from the BIOS of the PC. From the boot prompt, press the F1 key to get more information about the available boot options or boot the operating system, login with the “vyos” username and password combination and start the text-mode installation.

Text-mode installation for experienced users

As expected, the entire installation process is interactive and text based, requiring the user to partition the disk drive, copy the configuration files from the bootable medium to the local drive, setup users and passwords and install the bootloader.

After a reboot, the machine will boot directly into the newly installed VyOS operating system. You can log in using the “vyos” username (without quotes) and the password set during the installation process.

Bottom line

If you’ve always wanted to install the Vyatta operating system on your computer, but did not have to money to buy a fully supported edition, do not hesitate to grab the VyOS Linux distribution from Softoware, as it is completely free and open source, and supports paravirtual drivers and runs perfectly on virtual platforms.

What is new in this release:

• Unmanaged L2TPv3
• Dummy interfaces (functionally identical to multiple loopbacks in IOS)
• 802.1ad QinQ
• Event handler that executes something when it finds a pattern in logs or command output.
• IGMP proxy (pulled from EdgeOS)
• | commands conf mode filter that converts config output to set commands.
• | strip-private filter that removes private information from the config for pasting and the like.
• Ability to administratively disable PPPoE sessions.
• Ability to specify required authentication protocol for remote access VPN.
• Ability to reject OpenVPN clients for which no explicit configuration exists.
• Configurable ARP filter settings.
• Persistent tunnel (-persist-tun) option for OpenVPN.
• TWA hazards protection settings.
• Configurable Ctrl-Alt-Del behaviour.
• Per-interface IP source validation settings.
• Initial MOBIKE and IKEv2 support.
• IPv6 RA DNS option.

What is new in version 1.1.1:

• Unmanaged L2TPv3
• Dummy interfaces (functionally identical to multiple loopbacks in IOS)
• 802.1ad QinQ
• Event handler that executes something when it finds a pattern in logs or command output.
• IGMP proxy (pulled from EdgeOS)
• | commands conf mode filter that converts config output to set commands.
• | strip-private filter that removes private information from the config for pasting and the like.
• Ability to administratively disable PPPoE sessions.
• Ability to specify required authentication protocol for remote access VPN.
• Ability to reject OpenVPN clients for which no explicit configuration exists.
• Configurable ARP filter settings.
• Persistent tunnel (-persist-tun) option for OpenVPN.
• TWA hazards protection settings.
• Configurable Ctrl-Alt-Del behaviour.
• Per-interface IP source validation settings.
• Initial MOBIKE and IKEv2 support.
• IPv6 RA DNS option.