My router runs Linux 5.15. I can cache more stuff in RAM, instead of wearing out the flash storage, or having to throw useful data away (http cache, larger DNS

My router runs Linux 5.15. I can cache more stuff in RAM, instead of wearing out the flash storage, or having to throw useful data away (http cache, larger DNS cache). I can use all the new stuff that's added to the Linux kernel's networking stack. I can use any scripting labguages, to automate things like updating my DNS servers easily. I compile my own kernel for the router, so I can disable anything I don't like, all the barely used and less tested protocols I don't need, etc. Minimal Arch Linux is quite small. But I have option to to install anything, and the board will support it, without me having to figure out workarounds. The board has 4 cores, you can dedicate 1 to the routing, and use the rest for whatever without starving the core functions of the router of the resources. I mean, it's just a lot more flexible, while being cheaper and easier to replace than dedicated routers, when the HW breaks. Just copy the root filesystem to other uSD card, and swap the kernel, and it will run the same on a different ARM SBC, which I have quite a lot laying around in my home.