IPv6 Routing Lab Guide: Core Concepts and
Configuration
This guide covers the setup of IPv6 routing protocols (IS-IS, OSPFv3, and MP-BGP) based on
the HCIE-Datacom Lab Guide. The lab configures a network with devices PE1, PE2, PE3, PE4,
P1, and P2, interconnected in AS 65100 (except P1 in AS 65003). The goal is to enable IPv6
connectivity and route exchange across the network, including a route to P1’s Loopback1
interface. The guide includes step-by-step configurations, verification commands, and
explanations to make the process clear.
Lab Overview
Objectives
• Configure IPv6 IS-IS for routing within AS 65100.
• Configure OSPFv3 for routing between specific device pairs.
• Configure MP-BGP (IBGP and EBGP) to transmit IPv6 routes.
• Enable bidirectional route redistribution for network interworking.
Network Topology
• Devices: PE1, PE2, PE3, PE4, P1, P2.
• Interfaces: Interconnection interfaces use IPv6 addresses in the format 2001::<Y>/126,
where <Y> is a hexadecimal value (e.g., 2001::1/126).
• Loopback0: Each device has a Loopback0 interface with an IPv6 address
2001::<X>:<X>/128 (e.g., PE1: 2001::1:1/128).
• Loopback1: P1 has an additional Loopback1 (2001::1:5:5/128) advertised via BGP.
• AS Structure:
o AS 65100: PE1, PE2, PE3, PE4, P2 use OSPFv3, IS-IS, and MP-IBGP.
o AS 65003: P1 connects to P2 via MP-EBGP.
• Routing Protocols:
o OSPFv3: Between PE1-PE2 and PE3-PE4.
o IS-IS: Among PE2, P2, PE4.
o MP-BGP: IBGP among PE1, P2, PE3 (P2 as route reflector); EBGP between P1-
P2.
o Redistribution: Bidirectional between IS-IS and OSPFv3 (on PE2, PE4) and IS-
IS and BGP (on P2).
IP Address Planning
Loopback0 IPv6
Device Interconnection Interfaces (IPv6)
Address
PE1 2001::1:1/128 GE0/5/0: 2001::1/126 (to PE2)
PE2 2001::2:2/128 GE0/5/0: 2001::2/126 (to PE1), GE0/5/1: 2001::9/126 (to P2)
PE3 2001::3:3/128 GE0/5/0: 2001::19/126 (to PE4)
PE4 2001::4:4/128 GE0/5/0: 2001::1a/126 (to PE3), GE0/5/1: 2001::16/126 (to P2)
P1 2001::5:5/128 GE0/5/0: 2001::d/126 (to P2), Loopback1: 2001::1:5:5/128
GE0/5/0: 2001::e/126 (to P1), GE0/5/1: 2001::a/126 (to PE2),
P2 2001::6:6/128
GE0/5/2: 2001::15/126 (to PE4)
Simplified Explanation: The network is like a city with roads (IPv6 links) connecting buildings
(devices). OSPFv3 and IS-IS are local traffic rules for different neighborhoods, while MP-BGP
is a courier service sharing addresses across the city. P1’s Loopback1 is a special destination
advertised to everyone.
Core Concepts
• IPv6 Addressing: Uses 128-bit addresses (e.g., 2001::1:1/128). The lab uses /126 for
point-to-point links and /128 for Loopback interfaces.
• OSPFv3: IPv6 version of OSPF, using link-local addresses (e.g., FE80::/10) for neighbor
discovery and area-based routing (Area 0 in this lab).
• IPv6 IS-IS: IS-IS extended for IPv6, using a single topology for Level-2 routing with
wide metrics and NET addresses (e.g., 49.0001.0002.0002.0002.00).
• MP-BGP (BGP4+): BGP with multiprotocol extensions to carry IPv6 routes (IPv6
unicast address family). Supports IBGP (within AS 65100) and EBGP (between P1-P2).
• Route Reflector (RR): P2 reflects IBGP routes between PE1 and PE3, reducing full-
mesh peering.
• Route Redistribution: Imports routes between protocols (e.g., IS-IS to OSPFv3) to
ensure end-to-end connectivity.
• DCN and PnP: Data Communication Network (DCN) and Plug-and-Play (PnP) are
disabled to simplify lab setup.
• Immediate Validation: Ensures configuration changes are applied instantly.
Analogy: OSPFv3 and IS-IS are like GPS systems for local areas, MP-BGP is a global map
sharing routes, and redistribution is like translating directions between systems.
Configuration Roadmap
1. Basic Setup: Configure IPv6 addresses, disable DCN/PnP, set immediate validation.
2. OSPFv3: Deploy between PE1-PE2 and PE3-PE4 (process 1, Area 0, instance 1).
3. IPv6 IS-IS: Deploy among PE2, P2, PE4 (process 1, Level-2, wide metrics).
4. Route Redistribution: Bidirectional between OSPFv3 and IS-IS on PE2 and PE4.
5. MP-IBGP: Establish IBGP among PE1, P2, PE3; configure P2 as RR.
6. MP-EBGP: Establish EBGP between P1-P2; advertise P1’s Loopback1.
7. Route Redistribution: Bidirectional between IS-IS and BGP on P2.
Key Commands
Basic Setup
• system-view immediately: Enable immediate configuration validation.
• undo dcn: Disable DCN globally.
• undo pnp enable: Disable Plug-and-Play.
• interface <type><number>: Enter interface configuration (e.g., interface
GigabitEthernet0/5/0).
• ipv6 enable: Enable IPv6 on the interface.
• ipv6 address <address> <prefix-length>: Assign IPv6 address (e.g., ipv6 address
2001::1/126).
• ping ipv6 -c 1 <destination>: Test IPv6 connectivity.
OSPFv3
• ospfv3 <process-id>: Start OSPFv3 process (e.g., ospfv3 1).
• router-id <id>: Set router ID (e.g., router-id [Link]).
• interface <type><number>: Enter interface configuration.
• ospfv3 <process-id> area <area-id> instance <instance-id>: Enable OSPFv3 on interface
(e.g., ospfv3 1 area 0 instance 1).
• display ospfv3 peer: Verify OSPFv3 neighbors.
• display ospfv3 routing: Check OSPFv3 routing table.
IPv6 IS-IS
• isis <process-id>: Start IS-IS process (e.g., isis 1).
• is-level level-2: Set router as Level-2.
• cost-style wide: Use wide metrics.
• network-entity <net>: Set NET address (e.g., network-entity
49.0001.0002.0002.0002.00).
• is-name <name>: Set IS-IS hostname (e.g., is-name PE2).
• ipv6 enable topology ipv6: Enable IPv6 routing.
• interface <type><number>: Enter interface configuration.
• isis ipv6 enable <process-id>: Enable IS-IS IPv6 on interface.
• display isis peer: Verify IS-IS neighbors.
• display isis route: Check IS-IS routing table.
Route Redistribution
• ospfv3 <process-id>: Enter OSPFv3 process.
• import-route isis <process-id>: Import IS-IS routes to OSPFv3.
• isis <process-id>: Enter IS-IS process.
• ipv6 import-route ospfv3 <process-id>: Import OSPFv3 routes to IS-IS.
• bgp <as>: Enter BGP process.
• ipv6-family unicast: Enter IPv6 unicast address family.
• import-route isis <process-id>: Import IS-IS routes to BGP.
• isis <process-id>: Enter IS-IS process.
• ipv6 import-route bgp: Import BGP routes to IS-IS.
MP-BGP
• bgp <as>: Start BGP process (e.g., bgp 65100).
• router-id <id>: Set BGP router ID (e.g., router-id [Link]).
• peer <ip> as-number <as>: Configure BGP peer (e.g., peer 2001::6:6 as-number 65100).
• peer <ip> connect-interface LoopBack0: Set peering source.
• peer <ip> ebgp-max-hop 255: Allow EBGP multi-hop (for Loopback peering).
• ipv6-family unicast: Enter IPv6 unicast address family.
• peer <ip> enable: Activate peer for IPv6 unicast.
• peer <ip> reflect-client: Configure RR client (on P2).
• peer <ip> next-hop-local: Set local next-hop for advertised routes.
• network <prefix> <prefix-length>: Advertise route to BGP (e.g., network 2001::1:5:5
128).
• display bgp ipv6 peer: Verify BGP peer status.
• display bgp ipv6 routing-table: Check BGP routing table.
Configuration Framework
Step 1: Basic Device Configuration
• Tasks:
o Set immediate validation mode.
o Disable DCN and PnP on all devices.
o Configure IPv6 addresses for interconnection and Loopback0 interfaces.
• Example (PE1):
bash
Copy
system-view immediately
undo dcn
undo pnp enable
interface GigabitEthernet0/5/0
ipv6 enable
ipv6 address 2001::1/126
interface LoopBack0
ipv6 enable
ipv6 address 2001::1:1/128
• Other Devices: Similar configurations for PE2, PE3, PE4, P1, P2 (see IP table).
• Verification:
o Test connectivity: ping ipv6 -c 1 <destination> (e.g., P2 to 2001::9).
o All pings (e.g., PE1 to 2001::2, P2 to 2001::d) succeed with 0% packet loss.
Step 2: Deploy OSPFv3
• Tasks:
o Configure OSPFv3 (process 1, Area 0, instance 1) on PE1-PE2 and PE3-PE4.
o Enable on interconnection interfaces and Loopback0.
o Use router IDs 10.0.X.X (e.g., PE1: [Link]).
• Example (PE1):
bash
Copy
ospfv3 1
router-id [Link]
interface LoopBack0
ospfv3 1 area 0 instance 1
interface GigabitEthernet0/5/0
ospfv3 1 area 0 instance 1
• Verification:
o Check neighbors: display ospfv3 peer (e.g., PE2 sees PE1 with state Full/DR).
o Check routes: display ospfv3 routing (e.g., PE2 learns 2001::1:1/128).
Step 3: Deploy IPv6 IS-IS
• Tasks:
o Configure IS-IS (process 1, Level-2, wide metrics) on PE2, P2, PE4.
o Set NET addresses (e.g., PE2: 49.0001.0002.0002.0002.00).
o Enable IPv6 IS-IS on interconnection interfaces (PE2, P2, PE4) and P2’s
Loopback0.
• Example (P2):
bash
Copy
isis 1
is-level level-2
cost-style wide
network-entity 49.0001.0006.0006.0006.00
is-name P2
ipv6 enable topology ipv6
interface GigabitEthernet0/5/1
isis ipv6 enable 1
interface GigabitEthernet0/5/2
isis ipv6 enable 1
interface LoopBack0
isis ipv6 enable 1
• Verification:
o Check neighbors: display isis peer (P2 sees PE2, PE4 in Up state).
o Check routes: display isis route (PE2, PE4 learn 2001::6:6/128).
Step 4: Bidirectional Route Redistribution (OSPFv3 and IS-IS)
• Tasks:
o On PE2 and PE4, import IS-IS routes to OSPFv3 and OSPFv3 routes to IS-IS.
• Example (PE2):
bash
Copy
ospfv3 1
import-route isis 1
isis 1
ipv6 import-route ospfv3 1
• Verification:
o Check OSPFv3 routes: display ospfv3 routing (PE1 learns 2001::6:6/128 as E2).
o Check IS-IS routes: display isis route (P2 learns 2001::1:1/128, 2001::3:3/128).
o Ping test: From P2 (2001::6:6) to PE1 (2001::1:1) and PE3 (2001::3:3) succeeds.
Step 5: Configure MP-BGP
• Tasks:
o IBGP: Configure IBGP among PE1, P2, PE3 using Loopback0 addresses; set P2
as RR.
o EBGP: Configure EBGP between P1 (AS 65003) and P2 (AS 65100).
o Create Loopback1 on P1 (2001::1:5:5/128) and advertise to BGP.
o Import IS-IS routes to BGP on P2.
• Example (P2 - IBGP and RR):
bash
Copy
bgp 65100
router-id [Link]
peer 2001::1:1 as-number 65100
peer 2001::1:1 connect-interface LoopBack0
peer 2001::3:3 as-number 65100
peer 2001::3:3 connect-interface LoopBack0
ipv6-family unicast
peer 2001::1:1 enable
peer 2001::1:1 next-hop-local
peer 2001::1:1 reflect-client
peer 2001::3:3 enable
peer 2001::3:3 next-hop-local
peer 2001::3:3 reflect-client
• Example (P1 - EBGP and Loopback1):
bash
Copy
ipv6 route-static 2001::6:6 128 2001::e
interface LoopBack1
ipv6 enable
ipv6 address 2001::1:5:5/128
bgp 65003
router-id [Link]
peer 2001::6:6 as-number 65100
peer 2001::6:6 ebgp-max-hop 255
peer 2001::6:6 connect-interface LoopBack0
ipv6-family unicast
peer 2001::6:6 enable
network 2001::1:5:5 128
• Verification:
o Check EBGP: display bgp ipv6 peer (P1 sees P2 in Established state).
o Check IBGP: display bgp ipv6 peer (P2 sees PE1, PE3 in Established state).
o Check BGP routes: display bgp ipv6 routing-table (P2 learns 2001::1:5:5/128;
PE1, PE3 learn via P2).
Step 6: Bidirectional Route Redistribution (IS-IS and BGP)
• Tasks:
o On P2, import IS-IS routes to BGP and BGP routes to IS-IS.
• Example (P2):
bash
Copy
bgp 65100
ipv6-family unicast
import-route isis 1
isis 1
ipv6 import-route bgp
• Verification:
o Check IS-IS routes: display isis route ipv6 2001::1:5:5 (PE2, PE4 learn
2001::1:5:5/128).
o Check BGP routes: display bgp ipv6 routing-table (P1 learns AS 65100 routes
like 2001::/126).
o Ping test: From PE1 and PE3 to P1’s Loopback1 (2001::1:5:5) succeeds.
Quiz Answer
What are the differences between BGP IPv4 route transmission and BGP4+ route
transmission?
• Address Family:
o BGP IPv4: Uses the IPv4 unicast address family (address-family ipv4 unicast) to
advertise IPv4 routes (e.g., [Link]/24).
o BGP4+: Uses the IPv6 unicast address family (ipv6-family unicast) to advertise
IPv6 routes (e.g., 2001::1:5:5/128).
• Address Format:
o BGP IPv4: Handles 32-bit IPv4 addresses.
o BGP4+: Handles 128-bit IPv6 addresses, including link-local addresses for
peering.
• Next-Hop:
o BGP IPv4: Next-hop is an IPv4 address.
o BGP4+: Next-hop is an IPv6 address (e.g., 2001::6:6). May include link-local
addresses, requiring explicit interface specification (e.g., connect-interface
LoopBack0).
• Protocol Extensions:
o BGP IPv4: Uses standard BGP (RFC 4271).
o BGP4+: Uses MP-BGP (RFC 4760) with multiprotocol extensions to support
IPv6 (NLRI encoded with AFI=2, SAFI=1).
• Peering:
o BGP IPv4: Peering typically uses IPv4 addresses.
o BGP4+: Peering uses IPv6 addresses, often Loopback addresses, requiring ebgp-
max-hop for non-directly connected peers.
• Route Advertisement:
o BGP IPv4: Advertises IPv4 prefixes with attributes like AS_PATH, MED.
o BGP4+: Advertises IPv6 prefixes with similar attributes but encoded for IPv6
NLRI.
Simplified Explanation: BGP IPv4 is like mailing letters with 4-digit ZIP codes, while BGP4+
uses 16-digit codes for bigger addresses. BGP4+ needs a special courier (MP-BGP) to handle
these larger addresses and includes extra rules for IPv6-specific routing.
Additional Explanations
• Why IPv6?: IPv6 supports a larger address space (128-bit vs. 32-bit) and is designed for
modern networks with features like stateless autoconfiguration.
• OSPFv3 vs. IS-IS: OSPFv3 uses a link-state database per area, while IS-IS uses a single
topology for Level-2, making IS-IS more scalable for large IPv6 networks.
• MP-BGP: Enables IPv6 routing across AS boundaries, with route reflectors reducing
peering overhead.
• Redistribution Challenges: Requires careful planning to avoid loops or suboptimal
paths, as seen in the need to redistribute BGP to IS-IS for PE2/PE4 connectivity.
Analogy: The network is a postal system. OSPFv3 and IS-IS are local mail routes, MP-BGP is
an international courier, and redistribution is like translating foreign addresses to local ones.
This guide provides a clear, artifact-free framework for configuring IPv6 routing protocols. Let
me know if you need specific device configurations, additional verification steps, or further
clarification on any section!
