Configuring BGP FRR

When a link fails, the packets on the link are discarded, and a routing loop might occur until BGP completes routing convergence based on the new network topology.

You can enable BGP fast reroute (FRR) to resolve this issue.

Figure 61: Network diagram for BGP FRR

After you configure FRR on Router B as shown in Figure 61, BGP generates a backup next hop Router C for the primary route. BGP uses ARP, echo-mode BFD (for IPv4), or ND (for IPv6) to detect the connectivity to Router D. When the link to Router D fails, BGP directs packets to the backup next hop. At the same time, BGP calculates a new optimal route, and forwards packets over the optimal route after route selection.

You can use the following methods to configure BGP FRR:

If both methods are configured, Method 2 takes precedence over Method 1.

BGP supports FRR for IPv4 and IPv6 unicast routes, but not for IPv4 and IPv6 multicast routes.

To configure BGP FRR (IPv4 unicast address family):

Step

Command

Remarks

1. Enter system view.

system-view

N/A

2. Configure the source address of echo packets.

bfd echo-source-ip ip-address

By default, no source address is specified for echo packets.

This step is required when echo-mode BFD is used to detect the connectivity to the next hop of the primary route.

Specify a source IP address that does not belong to any local network.

For more information about this command, see High Availability Command Reference.

3. Create a routing policy and enter routing policy view.

route-policy route-policy-name permit node node-number

By default, no routing policy is created.

This step is required when Method 2 is used to enable BGP FRR.

For more information about this command, see Layer 3—IP Routing Command Reference.

4. Set the backup next hop for FRR.

apply fast-reroute backup-nexthop ip-address

By default, no backup next hop is set.

This step is required when Method 2 is used to enable BGP FRR.

For more information about this command, see Layer 3IP Routing Command Reference.

5. Return to system view.

quit

N/A

6. Enter BGP view.

bgp as-number

N/A

7. (Optional.) Use echo-mode BFD to detect the connectivity to the next hop of the primary route.

primary-path-detect bfd echo

By default, ARP is used to detect the connectivity to the next hop.

8. (Optional.) Enter BGP-VPN instance view.

ip vpn-instance vpn-instance-name

N/A

9. Enter BGP IPv4 unicast address family view or BGP-VPN IPv4 unicast address family view.

address-family ipv4 [ unicast ]

N/A

10. Enable BGP FRR.

  • (Method 1) Enable BGP FRR for the address family:pic

  • (Method 2) Reference a routing policy to specify a backup next hop for the address family:fast-reroute route-policy route-policy-name

By default, BGP FRR is disabled.

Method 1 might result in routing loops. Use it with caution.

By default, no routing policy is referenced.

The apply fast-reroute backup-nexthop and apply ipv6 fast-reroute backup-nexthop commands can take effect in the referenced routing policy. Other apply commands do not take effect.

To configure BGP FRR (IPv6 unicast address family):

Step

Command

Remarks

1. Enter system view.

system-view

N/A

2. Create a routing policy and enter routing policy view.

route-policy route-policy-name permit node node-number

By default, no routing policy is created.

This step is required when Method 2 is used to enable BGP FRR.

For more information about this command, see Layer 3IP Routing Command Reference.

3. Set the backup next hop for FRR.

apply ipv6 fast-reroute backup-nexthop ipv6-address

By default, no backup next hop is set.

This step is required when Method 2 is used to enable BGP FRR.

For more information about this command, see Layer 3IP Routing Command Reference.

4. Return to system view.

quit

N/A

5. Enter BGP view or BGP-VPN instance view.

  • Enter BGP view:bgp as-number

  • Enter BGP-VPN instance view:

    1. bgp as-number

    2. ip vpn-instance vpn-instance-name

N/A

6. Enter BGP IPv6 unicast address family view or BGP-VPN IPv6 unicast address family view.

address-family ipv6 [ unicast ]

N/A

7. Enable BGP FRR.

  • (Method 1) Enable BGP FRR for the address family:pic

  • (Method 2) Reference a routing policy to specify a backup next hop for the address family:fast-reroute route-policy route-policy-name

By default, BGP FRR is disabled.

Method 1 might result in routing loops. Use it with caution.

By default, no routing policy is referenced.

The apply fast-reroute backup-nexthop and apply ipv6 fast-reroute backup-nexthop commands can take effect in the referenced routing policy. Other apply commands do not take effect.