BGP Routing Fundamentals for IPv4

Overview

BGP is a particularly challenging protocol to support in a production network. It behaves differently, has strict design rules and behaviors that must be fully understood prior to working with BGP even in relatively simple deployments. This course focuses on the real world considerations to build a foundation that will allow you to be successful with BGP.

How does the network command work? How does iBGP design differ from eBGP? How do you affect exchanged routes? This is a great opportunity to spend a few hours and get spun up on BGP. And it isn’t all talk. You get labs in the Net Range that will give you that experience with BGP so that you can battle the oddities and complexities of BGP in a safe environment.

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

Dan Young, Cisco, AI and ChatGPT

COURSE DIFFICULTY

Beginner

COURSE DURATION

2h 2m

Skills Learned

After completing this online training course, students will be able to:

Explain BGP's role in inter-domain routing and how it differs from other protocols
Identify the purpose and function of Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs)
Distinguish between eBGP and iBGP and describe their design and behavior differences
Configure basic and advanced BGP neighborships using best practices
Use BGP attributes like AS_PATH, NEXT_HOP, ORIGIN, weight, local preference, and MED to control route selection
Apply filtering and route manipulation using prefix lists and route maps
Summarize routes and advertise prefixes using network commands and redistribution
Implement BGP authentication using TCP Authentication Option (TCP AO) and analyze it in Wireshark
Troubleshoot BGP sessions and path issues using CLI tools and attribute inspection
Practice BGP configuration and design scenarios in a hands-on lab environment in the StormWind Net Range

Networking and IT professionals wanting to learn more about BGP.

We suggest students have the CompTIA Network+ or CCNA certification, and/or equivalent experience.

01. Fundamentals of BGP Knowledge

Introduction to Border Gateway Protocol
High-Level BGP Behavior
Understanding BGP Autonomous System Numbers
Public and Private Autonomous Systems in BGP
Using CIDR Report
eBGP vs IBGP

02. BGP Communication

BGP Messages
BGP Neighborship States
Observing the AS_PATH Attribute
The BGP NEXT_HOP Attribute

03. Design Fundamentals

The iBGP Split-Horizon Rules
iBGP Design Considerations
Autonomous System Types

04. BGP Configuration

eBGP Neighborship Config
BGP Peering Using Loopbacks (Best Practice)
iBGP Full Mesh (Best Practice) 
The Next Hop Self
Advertising Prefixes with the Network Command 
Advertising Prefixes via Redistribution 
The BGP ORIGIN Attribute
Managing BGP Neighborships
Authenticating BGP Neighbors with TCP AO
Inspecting TCP AO in Wireshark
Summarizing Routes with the Aggregate Address Command
A Quick Shortcut for Route Summaries

05. Manipulating BGP Path Selection

Introduction to Prefix Lists
Introduction to Route Maps
The BGP Path Selection Process
Using Local Preference to Influence Outbound Routing
Using Weight to Influence Outbound Routing
Using AS Path Prepending to Influence Inbound Routing
Using the MED to Influence Inbound Routing
Using the Net Range for BGP Practice

SKILLS LEARNED

Skills Learned

After completing this online training course, students will be able to:

Explain BGP's role in inter-domain routing and how it differs from other protocols
Identify the purpose and function of Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs)
Distinguish between eBGP and iBGP and describe their design and behavior differences
Configure basic and advanced BGP neighborships using best practices
Use BGP attributes like AS_PATH, NEXT_HOP, ORIGIN, weight, local preference, and MED to control route selection
Apply filtering and route manipulation using prefix lists and route maps
Summarize routes and advertise prefixes using network commands and redistribution
Implement BGP authentication using TCP Authentication Option (TCP AO) and analyze it in Wireshark
Troubleshoot BGP sessions and path issues using CLI tools and attribute inspection
Practice BGP configuration and design scenarios in a hands-on lab environment in the StormWind Net Range

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Networking and IT professionals wanting to learn more about BGP.

PREREQUISITES

We suggest students have the CompTIA Network+ or CCNA certification, and/or equivalent experience.

COURSE OUTLINE

01. Fundamentals of BGP Knowledge

Introduction to Border Gateway Protocol
High-Level BGP Behavior
Understanding BGP Autonomous System Numbers
Public and Private Autonomous Systems in BGP
Using CIDR Report
eBGP vs IBGP

02. BGP Communication

BGP Messages
BGP Neighborship States
Observing the AS_PATH Attribute
The BGP NEXT_HOP Attribute

03. Design Fundamentals

The iBGP Split-Horizon Rules
iBGP Design Considerations
Autonomous System Types

04. BGP Configuration

eBGP Neighborship Config
BGP Peering Using Loopbacks (Best Practice)
iBGP Full Mesh (Best Practice) 
The Next Hop Self
Advertising Prefixes with the Network Command 
Advertising Prefixes via Redistribution 
The BGP ORIGIN Attribute
Managing BGP Neighborships
Authenticating BGP Neighbors with TCP AO
Inspecting TCP AO in Wireshark
Summarizing Routes with the Aggregate Address Command
A Quick Shortcut for Route Summaries

05. Manipulating BGP Path Selection

Introduction to Prefix Lists
Introduction to Route Maps
The BGP Path Selection Process
Using Local Preference to Influence Outbound Routing
Using Weight to Influence Outbound Routing
Using AS Path Prepending to Influence Inbound Routing
Using the MED to Influence Inbound Routing
Using the Net Range for BGP Practice

BGP Routing Fundamentals for IPv4

Overview

Skills Learned

Explain BGP's role in inter-domain routing and how it differs from other protocols

Identify the purpose and function of Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs)

Distinguish between eBGP and iBGP and describe their design and behavior differences

Configure basic and advanced BGP neighborships using best practices

Use BGP attributes like AS_PATH, NEXT_HOP, ORIGIN, weight, local preference, and MED to control route selection

Apply filtering and route manipulation using prefix lists and route maps

Summarize routes and advertise prefixes using network commands and redistribution

Implement BGP authentication using TCP Authentication Option (TCP AO) and analyze it in Wireshark

Troubleshoot BGP sessions and path issues using CLI tools and attribute inspection

Practice BGP configuration and design scenarios in a hands-on lab environment in the StormWind Net Range

Skills Learned

Explain BGP's role in inter-domain routing and how it differs from other protocols

Identify the purpose and function of Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs)

Distinguish between eBGP and iBGP and describe their design and behavior differences

Configure basic and advanced BGP neighborships using best practices

Use BGP attributes like AS_PATH, NEXT_HOP, ORIGIN, weight, local preference, and MED to control route selection

Apply filtering and route manipulation using prefix lists and route maps

Summarize routes and advertise prefixes using network commands and redistribution

Implement BGP authentication using TCP Authentication Option (TCP AO) and analyze it in Wireshark

Troubleshoot BGP sessions and path issues using CLI tools and attribute inspection

Practice BGP configuration and design scenarios in a hands-on lab environment in the StormWind Net Range

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