Considerations and Best Practices

Security

It is essential to implement proper security measures when configuring BGP in multihop mode to avoid potential threats such as spoofing attacks.

Latency

The additional latency introduced by multiple hops must be considered. In time-sensitive scenarios, it is crucial to evaluate whether the multihop option is the most appropriate.

Bandwidth

The available bandwidth between routers over multiple hops must be sufficient to ensure optimal performance.

Monitoring and Diagnosis

Implementing monitoring and diagnostic tools is essential to evaluate the performance and health of BGP sessions in multihop mode.

Example on a MikroTik router

Suppose you want to configure a BGP Multihop session between two MikroTik routers with the following IP addresses:

• Router A: 192.168.1.1
• Router B: 192.168.2.1

Here is an example configuration:

• Access the CLI of Router A.
• Configure autonomous system (AS) on both routers. For example, let's set AS 65001 to both.

/ip bgp set as=65001 router-id=192.168.1.1

• Configure Router B as a BGP peer on Router A and set the number of multihop hops. In this case, we will configure 2 jumps.

/ip bgp peer add remote-address=192.168.2.1 remote-as=65001 multihop=yes ttl=2

• Now, activate the BGP session so that it starts exchanging routing information.

/ip bgp peer enable 0

• Repeat these steps on Router B to configure the BGP Multihop session in the opposite direction.

This example establishes a BGP Multihop connection between the two MikroTik routers, allowing the BGP session to traverse multiple hops or intermediate routers. Be sure to adjust the IP addresses and AS numbers according to your specific configuration.

In conclusion

Using the multihop option in BGP offers flexibility and optimization in scenarios where direct connectivity is not practical.

By understanding their applications and following best practices, network administrators can improve the efficiency and resilience of their infrastructures.

Careful implementation of this advanced functionality contributes to the continued evolution and adaptability of networks in an environment of rapid technological transformation.