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MikroTik's RouterOS 7 has introduced a host of new features and improvements to its Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) implementation. As a key component for managing routing in complex networks, BGP in RouterOS 7 has become more robust, scalable, and flexible, making it an excellent choice for network engineers. This article delves into the key BGP features and enhancements in RouterOS 7, shedding light on how they can empower network administrators.

1. Multipath Routing

One of the standout features of BGP in RouterOS 7 is multipath routing. This allows the router to use multiple paths to the same destination, enabling load balancing and redundancy. By distributing traffic across several links, networks can achieve better utilization of bandwidth and improve fault tolerance.

• Key Benefits:
• Enhanced load balancing.
• Improved reliability through redundancy.

2. BGP Communities and Large Communities

RouterOS 7 has expanded its support for BGP communities, including the addition of large communities. This enhancement allows more granular policy control and simplifies route management in large-scale networks.

• BGP Communities:
• Enable tagging of routes for policy-based routing decisions.
• Useful for controlling how routes are advertised or accepted.
• Large Communities:
• Provide a 96-bit identifier for more flexible and scalable tagging.
• Essential for large networks with complex policies.

3. Routing Filters 2.0

RouterOS 7 introduces a revamped routing filter system, enabling more efficient and precise control over route import and export processes. This new system is more powerful and user-friendly compared to its predecessor.

• Features:
• Advanced matching rules for attributes like AS_PATH, communities, and prefixes.
• Improved syntax for defining filters, making configurations easier to manage.

4. Multiprotocol BGP (MP-BGP)

Multiprotocol BGP is now supported in RouterOS 7, allowing BGP to carry routing information for multiple network layer protocols, such as IPv4 and IPv6.

• Use Cases:
• Dual-stack networks that need both IPv4 and IPv6 routing.
• VPN implementations and MPLS networks.

5. Route Reflector Improvements

The implementation of BGP route reflectors in RouterOS 7 has been enhanced, making it easier to manage large-scale BGP networks without the need for a full mesh topology.

• Advantages:
• Reduces the number of BGP sessions required in the network.
• Simplifies configuration and maintenance of large networks.

6. BGP Confederations

Support for BGP confederations allows large networks to be divided into smaller, manageable sub-autonomous systems (sub-AS), reducing the complexity of configurations and improving scalability.

• Benefits:
• Simplifies policy management within large networks.
• Reduces overhead in maintaining interconnections between sub-AS components.

7. Graceful Restart and BGP Session Resiliency

RouterOS 7 incorporates support for Graceful Restart, ensuring that BGP sessions can recover from interruptions without significant disruption to routing.

• Features:
• Minimized impact during router restarts or software upgrades.
• Improved session stability in dynamic network environments.

8. Enhanced Performance and Scalability

RouterOS 7's BGP implementation is designed to handle larger routing tables and more complex topologies, making it suitable for modern networks with extensive routing requirements.

• Key Improvements:
• Faster convergence times.
• Better performance in high-density network environments.

9. EVPN (Ethernet VPN) Support

RouterOS 7 has started to integrate support for EVPN, enabling more advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPN services over BGP.

• Applications:
• Data center interconnects.
• Multi-site enterprise networks with seamless Layer 2 extensions.

10. BGP Monitoring and Debugging Tools

Enhanced monitoring and debugging tools in RouterOS 7 make it easier to diagnose and troubleshoot BGP-related issues. Administrators have access to more detailed logs and metrics for proactive management.

• Tools:
• Real-time session monitoring.
• Detailed route and attribute inspection.

Conclusion

The advancements in BGP within MikroTik’s RouterOS 7 signify a major step forward in routing capabilities. From improved scalability and flexibility to better performance and new features like MP-BGP and EVPN, RouterOS 7 equips network administrators with the tools they need to build and manage sophisticated networks.

Whether you’re managing a small ISP or a large enterprise network, these enhancements make RouterOS 7 an excellent platform for deploying and optimizing BGP. With its focus on scalability, redundancy, and ease of use, RouterOS 7 solidifies its place as a robust solution for modern networking challenges.

Network monitoring isn't just for your benefit—it directly impacts the quality of service for your customers as well. It should be the lifeblood of your ISP. Let me explain why.

My name is Dennis Burgess, Chief Technology Officer at Link Technologies, Inc. Since 2006, I’ve been designing networks, solving complex challenges, and helping ISPs do more with less. Before that, I worked as a consultant for various industries, including Harley-Davidson dealerships, Yamaha, law firms, manufacturers, and real estate offices. With over 23 years of experience in everything from leading teams to pulling CAT5 cable, I’ve seen it all.

Why Network Monitoring is Crucial

Most ISPs should deploy at least four monitoring systems. Why? Let’s break it down.

1. A Network Overview System

This system offers a single-pane overview of your network. At Link Technologies, we often use MikroTik’s The Dude, which scales well for most ISPs. While it’s not designed to monitor every customer device, it’s excellent for giving a high-level view—like whether a tower site is up or down. For example:

• Monitor the loopback of each router or switch at your POP locations.
• Use visual maps to logically document your network, including routing paths.

The Dude provides bandwidth stats and clear red/green indicators for site reachability. It’s a must-have tool for mapping and understanding your network topology.

2. A Comprehensive Monitoring System

This is your primary tool for detailed device and network monitoring. We use Zabbix, but there are plenty of alternatives. These systems excel at:

• Monitoring tens of thousands of data points via SNMP or other protocols.
• Storing historical data like signal strength, bandwidth, and light levels for fiber.

This system allows you to:

• Integrate with your helpdesk to automate ticket generation for problems.
• Set alerts for critical issues, like low signal strength or degraded bandwidth.
• Automate troubleshooting actions, such as rebooting devices or restarting services.

For ISPs, this is the go-to system for deep dives into performance metrics and troubleshooting.

3. External Internet Monitoring

This system monitors your network’s reachability from an internet perspective. Use services with global vantage points to detect outages or prefix issues. This type of monitoring is vital for:

• Critical alerts: When something major like a prefix drops, you need to know immediately.
• Status pages: Many services offer customizable pages (e.g., status.yourcompany.com) where customers can check site statuses.

Having a public status page reduces customer support calls. Train customers to check the page for real-time updates, such as tower site outages. Some ISPs even provide fridge magnets with customer-specific info, like their tower name and status page link.

4. BGP Monitoring

If you have multiple upstreams, a BGP monitor like bgp.tools is invaluable. It helps:

• Detect when prefixes aren’t being advertised properly.
• Identify issues that don’t cause outright BGP session drops but impact redundancy.

For example, if one upstream stops announcing your prefixes, this system alerts you immediately, preventing extended downtime or service degradation.

Summary

Every ISP should implement at least the first three monitoring systems, and if you utilize BGP, the fourth becomes essential. These systems work together to:

• Provide a clear network overview.
• Detect and resolve issues quickly.
• Improve customer experience with transparent status updates.
• Ensure robust redundancy and reliability.

Investing in comprehensive monitoring not only safeguards your network but also enhances customer satisfaction and trust. After all, a well-monitored network is a reliable network.