Top 15 Cisco IOS Alternative and Similar Softwares | Dec 2024

Cisco IOS (originally Internetwork Operating System) is a family of software used on most Cisco Systems routers and current Cisco network switches. (Earlier switches ran CatOS.) IOS is a package of routing, switching, internetworking and telecommunications functions integrated into a multitasking operating system.

Cisco IOS:
1- Allows enterprises to build resilient, cost-effective standards-based infrastructures end to end
2- Delivers thousands of features network-wide to meet the unique needs of evolving enterprises
3- Supports the increasing demand for service orchestration, application awareness, and simplicity

1. Junos OS

Junos OS Junos OS (more formally Juniper Network Operating System) is the FreeBSD-based operating system used in Juniper Networks hardware routers.It is an operating system that is used in Juniper's routing, switching and security devices. Juniper offers a Software Development Kit (SDK) to partners and customers to allow additional customization. The biggest......

2. Tomato by Shibby

Tomato by Shibby The last version released Tomato by Teddy_Bear was Build54. In April 2011 from private reasons Teddy_Bears ended his work on TomatoUSB. However, others developers accepted the challenge to improve Tomato. Most active developers are: Victek, Toastman, Shibby.August 31st, 2011, Teddy_Bear once proved his activity by issuing a series of modifications......

3. Tftpserver

Tftpserver Mac OS X has its own TFTP server, but every time I needed to start or reconfigure the TFTP service on a Mac I had to use the Terminal to issue some repetitive shell commands, thus I started to build this application as a simple AppleScript wrapper for the OS......

4. AdvancedTomato

AdvancedTomato A router's graphical user interface is the most important part of the system because most users are unable or unwilling to configure a router by any other means. Tomato comes with a dated web interface with the option to change the color scheme but for some of us that is......

5. VyOS

VyOS VyOS is a community fork of Vyatta , a Linux-based network operating system that provides software-based network routing, firewall, and VPN functionality.VyOS is an open source network operating system providing advanced IPv4 and IPv6 routing, stateful firewalling, IPSec and SSL OpenVPN and more. When you add VyOS to......

6. OpenConnect

OpenConnect A VPN client compatible with Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client (now Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Solution) and an open source substitute for Cisco's official Linux client.Main features: - Support for IPv4 and IPv6; connection through HTTP/SOCKS5 proxy; - Authentication via HTTP forms & SSL certificates; - UserGroup support; - Cisco Secure......

7. MikroTik RouterOS

MikroTik RouterOS The main product of MikroTik is a Linux-based operating system known as MikroTik RouterOS. Installed on a personal computer or server computer, it turns the computer into a network router, implementing features such as firewall rules, virtual private network (VPN) server and client, bandwidth shaping and quality of service, wireless......

8. VPNC Front End

VPNC Front End Front End to VPNC, a command line VPN client for Cisco VPN hardware. This client is known to work on: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 2008 and Windows 7. It supports both 32 bit (x86) and 64 bit (x64/x86_64).......

9. OpenConnect GUI

OpenConnect GUI OpenConnect GUI is the graphical client of OpenConnect for Microsoft Windows systems (or any other system Qt and OpenConnect run on). OpenConnect is a VPN client that utilises TLS and DTLS for secure session establishment, and is compatible with the Cisco AnyConnect SSL VPN protocol. The client is currently in......

10. Vyatta

Vyatta The free community Vyatta Core software(VC) is an award-winning open source network operating system providing advanced IPv4 and IPv6 routing, stateful firewalling, IPSec and SSL OpenVPN, intrusion prevention, and more. When you add Vyatta to a standard x86 hardware system, you can create an enterprise grade network appliance that easily......

11. NetSim

NetSim NetSim for CCNP Network Simulator is now updated to support the new ROUTE, SWITCH and TSHOOT technologies. The improved interface of NetSim for CCNP makes completing labs, compiling new labs and designing network topologies easier than ever before.NetSim for CCNP 8.0Has an improved user interface.Includes new labs.Simulates network traffic by......

12. Aruba Central

Aruba Central Aruba Central offers a simple, secure and cost-effective way to manage and monitor Aruba Instant APs and switches. It also has advanced capabilities like customizable guest Wi-Fi, Aruba Clarity and presence analytics for smarter decision making.......

13. ZOC

ZOC ZOC is a powerful and well-established terminal emulator and telnet client, well known for its outstanding user interface with tabbed multi session support. ZOC lets you access character based hosts using Secure Shell (SSH/SSH2), telnet, modem, ISDN and most other means of communication.ZOC can be used to connect to Unix/Linux......

14. TomatoUSB

TomatoUSB Tomato USB is an alternative Linux-based firmware for powering Broadcom-based ethernet routers. It is a modification of the famous Tomato firmware, with additional built-in support for USB port, wireless-N mode support, support for several newer router models, and various enhancements.Supported RoutersTomato USB supports many Broadcom-based routers from Asus, Linksys, Buffalo,......

15. FreeRouter

FreeRouter freeRouter is a routerOS process.it means freeRouter speaks routing protocols, and reencapsulates packets on interfaces.(a huge list of encapsulation and routing test cases can be found under self-test results) since it is an unprivilegized process, it receives and sends packets through sockets.there are external, privileged processes that place traffic to......