Introduction
BIRD (BIRD Internet Routing Daemon) is an open source routing software that is widely used for managing the routing infrastructure in large networks. It is designed to provide robust and scalable routing solutions, making it a popular choice for managing the complex network infrastructure on AWS.
Versions of BIRD:
BIRD has two main versions — BIRD 1 and BIRD 2. BIRD 1 is the older version and is still widely used, while BIRD 2 is the newer and improved version. BIRD 2 brings a host of new features and improvements, including support for IPv6 and improved routing protocol capabilities.
Understanding BIRD Routing Software
BIRD is designed to facilitate efficient and fast routing within a network by utilizing the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocols. It is responsible for managing the exchange of routing information between different routers, enabling them to make informed decisions about the best paths for packet forwarding.
Overview of different BIRD versions available:
BIRD version 1: The first version of BIRD was released in 1999 and is no longer supported. It had limited features and was primarily used for IPv4 routing.
BIRD version 2: This version was released in 2006 and added support for IPv6 routing. It also improved the scalability and performance of the software.
BIRD version 3: The latest stable version of BIRD, released in 2013, introduced new features such as Route Refresh, Multicast reverse path forwarding (RPF), and Multiprotocol BGP.
BIRD version 6: This is a development version of BIRD, focusing on adding support for IPv6 in all aspects of the software.
Key considerations for selecting the right BIRD version for AWS:
Version compatibility: The BIRD version used in AWS must be compatible with the network infrastructure components such as routers and switches.
Features required: Consider the features required for your routing needs and ensure that the selected BIRD version supports them.
IPv4 or IPv6 routing: BIRD version 2 and above support both IPv4 and IPv6 routing. For networks using only IPv4, version 1 can be used.
Performance and Scalability: BIRD version 3 and above have improved performance and scalability, making them a better choice for larger networks.
Support: BIRD version 3 and above are actively supported, with regular updates and bug fixes. This ensures a stable and secure network.
Deploying BIRD on AWS
Launch AWS EC2 instances: The first step is to launch EC2 instances on AWS. These instances will act as the BIRD routers. Choose an operating system that supports BIRD software, such as Ubuntu or CentOS.
Install BIRD software: Once the EC2 instances are launched, login to each instance and install BIRD software using the appropriate package manager. For example, in Ubuntu, use the command “sudo apt-get install bird2”.
Configure BIRD for AWS environment: BIRD needs to be configured to work with AWS networking environment. This includes configuring routes, network interfaces, and neighbor relationships. Refer to the BIRD documentation for detailed instructions on configuring BIRD for AWS.
Configure BIRD for optimal performance: BIRD has several configuration parameters that can be adjusted to optimize its performance in AWS. These include setting up kernel routes, Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size, and TCP window size. Adjusting these parameters can help improve BIRD’s routing performance in AWS.
Configure routing protocols: BIRD supports various routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF, and RIP. Choose the appropriate protocol based on your network requirements and configure it on BIRD.
Configure BIRD for high availability: It is recommended to configure BIRD for high availability to ensure uninterrupted routing in case one of the BIRD routers fail. This can be achieved by setting up a BIRD cluster with multiple EC2 instances running BIRD.
Integrate BIRD with AWS networking services: BIRD can be integrated with AWS networking services such as Elastic Load Balancing (ELB), Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), and AWS Direct Connect. You can use BIRD along with these services to manage and route traffic within your AWS infrastructure.
Test and monitor BIRD: Once BIRD is set up and configured, it is important to test and monitor its performance. Use tools such as BGP looking glasses to test BIRD’s routing tables and use monitoring tools such as Amazon CloudWatch to monitor the performance of BIRD instances.
Optimize BIRD configuration: Over time, as your AWS infrastructure and network requirements change, it is important to review and optimize your BIRD configuration. This will help ensure optimal performance and efficient routing in your AWS environment.
Managing BIRD Versions
Upgrading BIRD versions on AWS instances: Upgrading BIRD on AWS instances is similar to upgrading any software on a Linux system. First, you need to determine the current BIRD version running on your instance by using the command “birdc show status”. Then, you can download the package for the desired BIRD version from the official BIRD website or your Linux distribution’s repository.
Next, you can stop the current BIRD process by using the command “sudo service bird stop” and then install the new BIRD version by using the appropriate package manager for your Linux distribution (e.g. “apt-get install bird” for Debian/Ubuntu).
After the installation is complete, you can start the BIRD process again by using the command “sudo service bird start”. Finally, you can verify the new BIRD version by using the command “birdc show status” and checking the version number.
2. Monitoring BIRD performance and routing tables: BIRD performance can be monitored by using the command “birdc show status” which displays information about the current status of the BIRD daemon, including total up/down time, number of received/sent packets, and number of established connections.
To monitor the routing tables, you can use the command “birdc show route” which will display the current routing table entries along with their attributes such as network prefix, next hop, and protocol.
In addition, there are various monitoring tools and plugins available for BIRD such as BIRDmon, BGPmon, and Grafana that can provide more comprehensive and real-time monitoring of BIRD performance and routing tables.
3. Troubleshooting common issues with BIRD on AWS: Here are some common issues that may arise when using BIRD on AWS and how to troubleshoot them:
BGP session is not established: Check if the BIRD process is running and if the configuration file is properly configured with the appropriate peering settings. Use the command “birdc show protocols” to see the status of peering sessions and identify any errors.
Routes are not being advertised: Check if the export rules in the configuration file are correctly configured to advertise the desired routes. Use the command “birdc show route” to see the current routing table entries and verify if the routes you want to advertise are present.
High CPU/Memory usage: BIRD is known for being lightweight and efficient, but sometimes unexpected high CPU or memory usage can occur. This could be due to a misconfiguration or a bug in the BIRD version. Check the BIRD logs for any errors and try upgrading to a newer version if possible.
BIRD is not running after reboot: Check if the BIRD process is set to start automatically on boot by using the command “sudo systemctl enable bird”. If it is already enabled, check the boot logs for any errors and try restarting the BIRD service.
Peering sessions are constantly flapping: This could be caused by an unstable network connection or a misconfigured keepalive timer. Check the BIRD logs for any errors and adjust the keepalive timer settings accordingly.
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