Cisco BGP-4 Command and Configuration Handbook

Product Description

The comprehensive, hands-on guide to all Cisco IOS(r) Software BGP-4 commands

• The complete BGP-4 command reference
• invaluable for network designers, engineers, and architects
• Provides configuration, troubleshooting, and verification scenarios for every possible BGP-4 command supported by Cisco IOS Software that can be implemented on a minimum number of routers
• Groups BGP-4 commands by area of implementation route aggregation, auto-summary, route filtering, and route advertisement, just to name a few
• Provides clear and concise commentary on the initial release, purpose, syntax, and usage of each BGP-4 command
• Offers excellent CCIE certification preparation from one of the CCIE Program Managers
• Includes supplementary information on regular expressions, route map logic, and RFC 1771, A Border Gateway Protocol 4 (BGP-4)

Cisco BGP-4 Command and Configuration Handbook is an exhaustive practical reference to the commands contained within BGP-4. For each command/subcommand, author Bill Parkhurst explains the intended use or function and how to properly configure it. Then he presents scenarios to demonstrate every facet of the command and its use, along with appropriate show and debug commands. Through the discussion of functionality and the scenario-based configuration examples, Cisco BGP-4 Command and Configuration Handbook will help you gain a thorough understanding of the practical side of BGP-4.

Praise For Cisco BGP-4 Command and Configuration Handbook

Cisco BGP-4 Command and Configuration Handbook (CCIE Professional Development)
Reviewer Name: Chuck Price
Reviewer Certifications: Network Specialist III, CCNP

Cisco BGP-4 Command and Configuration Handbook has become another valuable addition to my networking library. This reference by Dr. William Parkhurst is a comprehensive listing of all BGP-4 commands used in Cisco IOS software. Like his reference on OSPF commands, each BGP command is outlined with a syntax description, a purpose for the command, configuration examples and a short troubleshooting section.

The flow of the book was very logically laid out. It begins with basic BGP route aggregation commands and progresses through neighbor configuration commands, route redistribution and ends with chapters on troubleshooting commands. Each chapter begins with basic commands and builds on those commands as the chapter progresses. This way the reader gets a feeling for how each command interacts with other commands.

As with any other command and configuration handbook, the reader must be well-versed in the theory behind the technology. This is especially true with this book. I must admit, that before reading this book, I did not have much exposure to BGP-4, but I found the material very easy to comprehend. It also helped me to understand the protocol better. Without the proper background in BGP-4 you can get lost very easily, however if you have had exposure to BGP then you will find this book very useful in configuring the protocol.

Another aspect of the book I really liked was in how the configuration examples were presented. Each example had a network scenario and gave a step-by-step process on how to utilize the command. A network diagram was included along with outputs from the routers used in the configuration scenario. The configuration examples start with a verification phase where the correct operation is determined. Then the command is applied and the changes are outlined and displayed. The troubleshooting section outlines steps where the most common failures may occur. While the reader can get a lot of information from just reading the configuration section, it really helps if you can have access to live routers.

I also found the appendices very helpful in understanding some of the book’s content. Appendix A presents the concepts and terminology contained in RFC 1771 Border Gateway Protocol 4. Appendix B covers regular expression and Appendix C is about route map logic and how route maps are used in BGP-4. Don’t be daunted by Appendix A, the author left out most of the details, like packet format and content and instead focused on BGP attributes, path selection and forming BGP connections. Appendix C gave a good refresher on route maps and how they are utilized in BGP.

This book has become an excellent reference source for my studies toward the CCIE. It also helped me to understand BGP better. I would highly recommend this book to anyone studying for Cisco certification or who has to work with BGP-4 in his or her network. I looked forward to reading more books by Dr. Parkhurst.

Index

Download - 107 KB -- Index

Table of Contents

1. Route Aggregation.