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Route reflector

Function overview​

The main function of a route reflector (RR) is to simplify the configuration of IBGP (Interior Gateway Protocol) neighbors and solve the challenges faced by IBGP full interconnection. In a traditional IBGP network, in order for all routers to learn all routes, a fully interconnected IBGP connection needs to be established between all routers. This causes the management complexity to increase exponentially as the network scale expands. By deploying RR, routing information learned from IBGP neighbors can be passed to other IBGP neighbors, thereby avoiding a fully interconnected IBGP topology, simplifying network design, and improving network scalability.

Role Description​

  • Route Reflector (RR): Establish IBGP neighbor relationships with all clients (Client) and non-clients (Non-Client). There is no need to establish IBGP neighbor relationship between RRs. To improve redundancy and availability, it is recommended to deploy three or more route reflectors to avoid single points of failure.

  • Client: The new version of Nova Gateway (version 6.3.2 and above) is the client. The client only establishes an IBGP neighbor relationship with the route reflector, and all routing information is delivered by the RR.

  • Non-Client: The old version of Nova Gateway (versions below 6.3.2) is non-client. Non-clients need to establish IBGP neighbor relationships with the route reflector and other non-clients.

Reflection rule​

  • Routes received from the client: RR will reflect these routes to all clients and non-clients.

  • Routes received from non-clients: RR will only reflect these routes to all clients.

               / - - - - - - - - - - - - -  -
               |                             |
                 +-------+        +-------+
               | |       |        |       |  |
                 | RTR-A |        | RTR-B |
               | |Client |        |Client |  |
                 +-------+        +-------+
               |       \           /         |
                  IBGP  \         / IBGP
               |         \       /           |
                         +-------+
               |         |       |           |
                         | RTR-C |
               |         |  RR   |           |
                         +-------+
               |           /   \             |
                - - - - - /- - -\- - - - - - /
                   IBGP  /       \ IBGP
                +-------+         +-------+
                | RTR-D |  IBGP   | RTR-E |
                |  Non- |---------|  Non- |
                |Client |         |Client |
                +-------+         +-------+

Configuration instructions​

  • Route reflector configuration

"Administrator"→"Resources"→"Route Reflector"→"New"

image

  • Route reflector monitoring

"Administrator"→"Monitor"→"Route Reflector"

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"Administrator"→"Monitor"→"Route Reflector"→"Route Reflector Details"

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Other instructions​

  • RR installation: Same as Nova Gateway installation. The device role needs to be configured as bgp_rr. The wan port only needs a DCI port and an Internet outlet. The Internet outlet needs to be able to connect to the controller and access the Alibaba upgrade source.

  • RR upgrade: Same as the Nova Gateway upgrade. Maintenance mode is first set on the controller. The route reflector will lower the priority of the reflected route. After selecting the upgrade package through the controller to upgrade, exiting maintenance mode will automatically restore the route priority. During the upgrade, no business traffic will be affected.

  • Nova Gateway upgrade: After the old version of Nova Gateway (Nova Gateway of versions below 6.3.2) is upgraded to the new version of Nova Gateway (Nova Gateway of version 6.3.2 and above), IBGP neighbor will only be established with the RR.