Diverse Routing
Diverse Routing Definition
Diverse routing, also known as multi-homing, is a networking strategy used to increase the redundancy and reliability of internet connectivity. It involves connecting a network to multiple internet service providers (ISPs) or using multiple physical routes to ensure continued connectivity in the event of an ISP outage or network failure.
How Diverse Routing Works
Diverse routing relies on the following mechanisms and strategies to ensure reliable and redundant connectivity:
Redundant Connections
Organizations establish connections with multiple ISPs, either through physical connections or through virtual private network (VPN) connections. By connecting to multiple ISPs, organizations can distribute network traffic across these connections, increasing resilience and protecting against single points of failure. This diversification of connections ensures that if one ISP goes down or experiences issues, traffic can still flow through the remaining ISPs, maintaining uninterrupted internet connectivity.
Internet Route Optimization
Organizations use the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to optimize the use of diverse routing. BGP is a protocol that controls the routing of internet traffic and determines the best path for data packets to reach their destination. With diverse routing, BGP allows networks to select the best available path based on various attributes such as network policies, performance, and reachability. By leveraging BGP, organizations can dynamically adapt to changes in network conditions and choose the most optimal route for data transmission, ensuring efficient and reliable connectivity.
Automatic Failover
In the event of an ISP outage or network failure, BGP provides automatic failover capabilities. When an ISP or network failure occurs, BGP quickly detects the issue and reroutes network traffic to an available alternate path. This process is seamless and does not require manual intervention. By automatically redirecting traffic, BGP ensures uninterrupted connectivity and minimizes the impact of disruptions on network operations.
Prevention Tips
To effectively implement diverse routing and maximize its benefits, organizations should consider the following prevention tips:
Implement BGP Routing Policies
Defining BGP routing policies is essential for prioritizing diverse routes and ensuring efficient failover in the event of a network disruption. Organizations can configure BGP to select paths based on specific criteria, such as preferring certain ISPs or choosing routes with lower latency. By defining these policies, organizations can customize their routing decisions to meet their specific requirements and improve the performance of diverse routing.
Regular Testing
Regularly testing the diverse routing setup is crucial to ensure that failover mechanisms work as intended and that traffic seamlessly switches to alternative paths when needed. By conducting tests and simulations, organizations can identify any potential weaknesses in their diverse routing configuration and make necessary adjustments. It is important to regularly review and validate the routing policies and failover mechanisms to maintain a robust and reliable network infrastructure.
Partner with Reliable ISPs
Choosing reliable ISPs with strong reputations for network reliability is critical when implementing diverse routing. Organizations should select ISPs that have robust and geographically diverse network infrastructures. This ensures that even if one ISP experiences an outage or disruption, the other ISPs can continue providing internet connectivity without interruption. By partnering with reliable ISPs, organizations can enhance the effectiveness of diverse routing and mitigate the risks associated with network failures.
Related Terms
- Border Gateway Protocol (BGP): The protocol responsible for exchanging routing information between different networks on the internet.
- Failover: The process of automatically switching to a redundant or standby system in the event of a primary system failure.
Sources 1. Wikipedia - Multi-homing 2. Juniper Networks - Diverse Routing 3. Cisco - Routing Policy Language