However, most free software is intentionally written to be free, the most notable of which is the GNU/Linux operating system (see Linux). When used in the context of this definition (not #1 above ...

Software control also enables the creation of innovative forwarding algorithms, and testing is easier because the hardware can be emulated. See SD-WAN. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.

Computing power has reached the point where once “hardware-only” functions can now be handled by the software layer running on top of the hardware, with negligible performance difference for users.