BNG / BRAS questions ISPs ask
Short answers about Dandy vBNG / vBRAS: users per server, hardware, CGNAT, NAT logs, RADIUS, IPv6 and licensing.
What is a BNG?
A Broadband Network Gateway is the central point of a broadband network where subscribers log in (PPPoE or IPoE), get their IP address, are limited to their plan speed and are translated to public addresses with NAT. See BNG / BRAS software.
What is the difference between BNG and BRAS?
None in function. BRAS (Broadband Remote Access Server) is the older DSL-era name; BNG is the current name. vBNG and vBRAS are the same function as software on standard servers.
How many users can Dandy vBNG handle on one server?
Up to 80,000 PPPoE users on one Intel Xeon server. The real number depends on the hardware: an Intel X520 port carries about 1,500 to 2,500 users, while Intel XL710 cards with DDP spread PPPoE over all CPU cores.
What throughput can I expect?
About 8 to 10 Gbit/s download on a one-socket server with Intel X520 cards, 15 to 20 Gbit/s with a dual-port XL710, and up to 36 Gbit/s on a two-socket server with XL710 cards.
What hardware do I need?
An Intel Xeon server (2.2 GHz or faster, 12 or more cores per socket), 32 GB memory, an SSD, and Intel X710 / XL710 or X520 network cards. Hyper-Threading and virtualization should be off in the BIOS.
Does Dandy vBNG support CGNAT?
Yes. SNAT, DNAT (port forwarding) and Carrier Grade NAT with a per-user session limit. See CGNAT for ISPs.
Does it keep NAT logs for IPDR?
It exports every NAT translation as NetFlow v9 or IPFIX to one or more log servers, with the subscriber's user name in each record. The log server keeps them for as long as your licence requires.
Which RADIUS servers and billing systems work with it?
Standard RADIUS servers and the billing systems built on them: authentication, accounting, CoA and Disconnect. Local users without RADIUS are also possible.
Does it support IPv6?
Yes, IPv6 dual stack: every subscriber can get an IPv4 address and an IPv6 prefix.
Does it support BGP and OSPF?
Yes. A routing mode supports BGP, OSPF and IS-IS, besides static routes and an IX route policy.
Can I try it for free?
Yes. Download the ISO and install it; it runs 100 users on the demo license. Contact us for a production license.
How is it licensed?
By the number of online sessions, tied to your server. Throughput and ports are not limited by the license.
Do I need internet access to install it?
No. The ISO carries every package and NIC firmware and installs offline.
Is Dandy vBNG made in India?
Yes. It is developed by Dandy Network Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, and listed on the Government of India Trusted Telecom Portal (TTP).
Try it on your own server
Download the ISO, install it on an Intel Xeon server and run up to 100 users on the free demo license. Talk to us for a production license.