[pyvpx]

you can't utilize OSPF, ISIS, BGP, et. al. for high availability? You do realize HSRP is merely for a redundant gateway address, right?

most service provider networks manage via the CLI (generally scripted, for better or worse) and occasionally a vendor-specific API.

while I will agree juniper and cisco are generally the best choice for core/edge routers, there are other 'viable' options depending on your requirements. if you need in excess of 2500 BGP sessions on a single chassis, there aren't many viable options besides a Cisco 7600.

I certainly do not mean to be rude, but I feel you're attempting to speak from experience you don't fully have (yet, hopefully!)

[windexh8er]

Wow, just... Wow. So. Far. Off. Base. (see my post above)