The term “FRR router” appears frequently in enterprise, datacenter, and ISP networking discussions. Despite how it sounds, it is not a product name and not a hardware device.
What Is Free Range Routing?
Free Range Routing (FRR) is an open-source routing software suite. The name Free Range reflects its original goal: routing software that is free, open, flexible, and not tied to proprietary hardware.
FRR provides implementations of major dynamic routing protocols and runs on general-purpose operating systems such as Linux and FreeBSD.
Routing Protocols Supported by FRR
Free Range Routing supports most routing protocols used in modern networks, including:
- BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)
- OSPFv2 and OSPFv3
- IS-IS
- RIP and RIPng
- VRRP
FRR installs routing decisions directly into the operating system’s kernel routing table, allowing the system to forward traffic like a traditional router.
So What Is an “FRR Router”?
An FRR router is simply a system that:
- Runs Linux or FreeBSD
- Has IP forwarding enabled
- Uses :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} for routing protocols
- Acts as a network router
The term describes the role of the system, not a specific product or platform.
Why This Terminology Is Common
Because Free Range Routing is widely deployed in production networks, engineers naturally refer to systems running it as “FRR routers”. This helps distinguish them from proprietary router operating systems or dedicated hardware appliances.
Summary
Free Range Routing is a powerful, open-source routing suite. An FRR router is simply a general-purpose system using FRR to perform routing functions. It is not a branded product, but a flexible and widely adopted approach to software-based routing.
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