Router & BGP questions.

[TomLet]

Hi everyone,

I currently have a T1. I am adding a 2Mbs (burst to 10Mbs SONET to ethernet) connection. I am looking at a 2811 with 512MB, two 10/100 ports and a T1 WIC. We are planning on implementing BGP and have recently aquired a /24 net block and an AS number. We are looking at getting full routes. And finally the questions, do you think this router can handle the load? It will only be routing, no NAT or PAT as we have a seperate firewall for that. Also how would someone load balance between these connections? Is it easier just to use the T1 as a backup? Any input will be appreciated!

Thanks,

Tom

 

[jneiberger]

I don't want to assume...are your connections from two different providers?

 

[TomLet]

Sorry, should of mentioned that. Yes they are from two different providers. The /24 is an allocation from one of them (the T1 provider). I have read somewhere about them having to "swipe" the range to me. I did a whois on the IP with ARIN and the network is still coming back to them. Is this something I need to talk to them about?

 

[baddos]

If you don't take full routes, your router *might* be fine.

It's definately fine at 2mbs, but if you have 10mb throughput and doing any filtering or a lot of BGP routing updates.... :-(

 

[jneiberger]

Is there a reason you need to take full routes? Have you considered accepting partial routes plus defaults?

 

[TomLet]

My ISP said it would be simpler to setup. Besides the sizes I really do not know much about the differences. I was told 512MB would be enough for full routes.

 

[jneiberger]

It's simpler for them to setup because it saves them from typing in a couple of extra lines. They should offer partial routes plus defaults as an option. If they won't offer that because they're lazy, I'd consider going with a different provider.

On that note, out of curiosity, who are your providers?

 

[TomLet]

They are TDS Metro for the T1 and Enventus Telecom for the SONET connection. I haven's asked them about partial or default routes yet. I will now. Is there any downside for me not taking full routes?

 

[baddos]

You don't want a full view or two full views because of the CPU processing it consumes as well as the memory.

512Mb is more than enough memory, but you don't want your router needlessly consuming it's CPU worying about some flapping route in India.