server as a router?

i just began reading a book regarding the 70-216 and i have noticed that microsoft seems to refer in several places to their servers as a router, stating that you must have several nic cards (one for each network) installed etc...How common is it to actually use a server as a router, and why wouldnt you just get a router? Ive understood that if you get two
network cards and turn on IP routing that they could act as a limited router of sorts but ive always thought that it wouldnt be a very good choice as an actual router. This concept has confused me a little, any explanation about circumstances that would use this feature would be of great help, thank you.

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Webmaster

I know what you must be thinking as a CCNA: why not add a 1600 or 2500/2600 instead..

A Windows 2000 server can be used as a powerful router, it is easy to add different kind of interfaces and it supports OSPF, NAT, IPsec and much more....

But, I asked myself the same question many times, having worked in small and large, cisco and MS environments for about 9 years... besides routing and NAT on RAS servers, and some incidental backup line solutions, I never seen a Windows server actually being used as router in corporate environments. Perhaps in SOHOs, to save some money if they want to separate 1 LAN in 2, but then again... they wouldn't need OSPF

Cisco routers are obviously more trusted with the task of routing, and in some cases even cheaper.

nethersdenizen

When I was working at a school I used Windows 2000 as a router for a lab with 25 workstations because I wanted the machines in the class room to have internet access but the school only gave me one address to use on a private class A address. I Setup the router as a DHCP on private class C address and was able to give everyone access. Perfect for basic static routing situations.

I'm a big fan of software routers, http://www.freesco.org/ has a really good router based on linux that will run on most any computer. I've used it to share dial-up internet on a small network using a 386 computer stashed in a closet.

On small networks with budget constraints your boss will praise you for saving them lots of money by using a software router but if problems happen down the road it might mean your job. Get a real router for mission critical applications with two paths to every destination just incase.

JSW77

thanks for the replies, its good to get the insights of people with good experience in the field. Unfortunately, true experience is something i dont have, but i do study hard and spend much time in practice labs, and hopefully this will lead to a foot in the door at some point. anyway, i had a hunch that actual routers would be much more prevalent in corporate environments. Its interesting to see things the "microsoft way" after spending so much time learning things "the cisco way".

ajs1976

Using a server as a router is not very common in the soho environments that I see. Every once in awhile, you will find a cheap SOB that wouldn't spend the extra $75 on a linksys.

nethersdenizen

$75 is a weeks pay for this cheap SOB.