Vyatta manufactures an open source

Open source

The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...

 router/firewall

Firewall (computing)

A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....

/VPN product for Internet Protocol

Internet Protocol

The Internet Protocol is the principal communications protocol used for relaying datagrams across an internetwork using the Internet Protocol Suite...

 networks (IPv4

IPv4

Internet Protocol version 4 is the fourth revision in the development of the Internet Protocol and the first version of the protocol to be widely deployed. Together with IPv6, it is at the core of standards-based internetworking methods of the Internet...

 and IPv6

IPv6

Internet Protocol version 6 is a version of the Internet Protocol . It is designed to succeed the Internet Protocol version 4...

). A free download of Vyatta has been available since March 2006. The system is a specialized Debian

Debian

Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential...

-based Linux distribution

Linux distribution

A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...

 with networking applications such as Quagga

Quagga (Software)

Quagga is a network routing software suite providing implementations of Open Shortest Path First , Routing Information Protocol , Border Gateway Protocol and IS-IS for Unix-like platforms, particularly Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD and NetBSD....

, OpenVPN

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is a free and open source software application that implements virtual private network techniques for creating secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations and remote access facilities. It uses a custom security protocol that utilizes SSL/TLS for...

, and many others. A standardized management console, similar to Juniper JUNOS

JUNOS

Juniper Junos is the software or the network operating system used in Juniper Networks hardware systems. It is an operating system that is used in Juniper's routing, switching and security devices. Juniper offers a Software Development Kit to partners and customers to allow additional customization...

 or Cisco IOS

Cisco IOS

Cisco IOS is the software used on the vast majority of Cisco Systems routers and current Cisco network switches...

, in addition to a web-based GUI and traditional Linux system commands, provides configuration of the system and applications. In recent versions of Vyatta, web-based management interface is supplied only in the subscription edition, however, all functionality is available through KVM, serial console or SSH/telnet protocols.

Vyatta is also delivered as virtual machines to offer virtual networking (vrouter, vfirewall, VPN) functionality for Xen

Xen

Xen is a virtual-machine monitor providing services that allow multiple computer operating systems to execute on the same computer hardware concurrently....

, VMware

VMware

VMware, Inc. is a company providing virtualization software founded in 1998 and based in Palo Alto, California, USA. The company was acquired by EMC Corporation in 2004, and operates as a separate software subsidiary ....

 and Amazon EC2 virtual and cloud computing environments.

Commercial engagements are available via integrated hardware appliances and a subscription-based business model which includes software updates, technical support

Technical support

Technical support or tech support refers to a range of services by which enterprises provide assistance to users of technology products such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, software products or other electronic or mechanical goods...

, and training. Vyatta also offers a series of professional services and consulting engagements. This business model is also known as Open core

Open core

Open core is a business model where an open source product is also made available commercially with non-open-source additions...

.

The Vyatta system is intended as a replacement for Cisco IOS 1800 through ASR 1000 series Integrated Services Routers (ISR) and ASA 5500

Cisco ASA

In computer networking, Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances, or simply Cisco ASA 5500 Series, is Cisco's line of network security devices introduced in 2005, that succeeded three existing lines of popular Cisco products:...

 security appliances, with a strong emphasis on the cost and flexibility inherent in an open source, Linux-based system running on commodity x86 hardware or in Xen

Xen

Xen is a virtual-machine monitor providing services that allow multiple computer operating systems to execute on the same computer hardware concurrently....

 or VMware

VMware

VMware, Inc. is a company providing virtualization software founded in 1998 and based in Palo Alto, California, USA. The company was acquired by EMC Corporation in 2004, and operates as a separate software subsidiary ....

virtual environments. Vyatta also provides a Cisco Replacement Guide on its website which shows various Cisco products and the comparable Vyatta/x86 solutions.