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BGP Header and Packet Structure Overview

This document provides information about the structure and contents of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) messages. It describes the basic BGP header format, including fields for message type, length, and optional authentication. It then summarizes the contents and purpose of specific BGP message types, including Open, Notification, Keepalive, and Update messages. The Update message is described in more detail as containing three parts - withdrawn routes, path attributes, and the networked location identifiers (NLRIs) associated with those attributes.

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26 views7 pages

BGP Header and Packet Structure Overview

This document provides information about the structure and contents of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) messages. It describes the basic BGP header format, including fields for message type, length, and optional authentication. It then summarizes the contents and purpose of specific BGP message types, including Open, Notification, Keepalive, and Update messages. The Update message is described in more detail as containing three parts - withdrawn routes, path attributes, and the networked location identifiers (NLRIs) associated with those attributes.

Uploaded by

bzanaj
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1

2005/03/11 {C} Herbert Haas


BGP
Message Structure

2
2 {C} Herbert Haas 2005/03/11
BGP Header Format
Marker (16 Bytes)
Contains optionaIIy authentication
Used to detect Ioss of synchronization
Length (2 Bytes) Type (1 Byte)
0 15 7 23 31
The smaIIest BGP message is 19 Bytes
(no data fieId, e. g. keepaIive)
The maximum Iength is 4,096 Bytes
(aIso incIuding header)
E. g. MD5
FYI FYI
This is the basic BGP header Iormat. This and the Iollowing slides marked with a
"FYI" at the upper-leIt oI the slide are only given "Ior yout interest". It is usually
not necessary to know this details by heartunless you plan to go deeper in BGP.

3
3 {C} Herbert Haas 2005/03/11
Open Message
My Autonomous System
HoId Time
Version
0 15 7 23 31
BGP Identifier
OptionaI
Param. Len.
OptionaI Parameters
4 for BGP-4
Maximum amount of time in
seconds between keepaIive
messages. Peers choose the
smaIIer one. HoId time 0 means:
connection is aIways up!
Highest IP address
of router (incIuding
Ioopback)
Can be 0
Each parameter is a
tripIet {type, Iength,
vaIue). ExampIe:
Authentication
parameter
FYI FYI

4
4 {C} Herbert Haas 2005/03/11
Notification Message
Data
Error
0 15 7 23 31
Error
Subcode
Notification is aIways sent when an error is detected.
After that, the connection is cIosed.
FYI FYI

5
5 {C} Herbert Haas 2005/03/11
KeepaIive Message
Consists of header onIy (19 bytes)
Must be sent before hoId time
expires
Recommended keepaIive rate
= 1/3 of hoId time
Not necessary if update message is
sent
Keepalive messages are sent periodicaly, by deIault at 60 seconds interval.

6
6 {C} Herbert Haas 2005/03/11
The Update Message
UnfeasibIe Routes Length
(2 Bytes)
Withdrawn Routes
(variabIe)
0 15 7 23 31
TotaI Path Attribute Length
(2 Bytes)
Path Attributes
(variabIe)
NLRI
(variabIe)
AII NLRIs that appIy
for the attributes
mentioned above!
NLRIs with different
attribute Iist are sent
in another message!
Dead
Routes
Attributes
Associated
Routes
1
2
3
The picture above shows the most important message within BGP: the update.
Note that the update message consists oI three parts. The Iirst part contains all
unIeasible routes (also known as "withdrawn" routes). The second part contains a
consistent set oI attributes Ior the Iollowing regular routes listed in the third part
oI the message.
Note that another update message has to be sent iI a route (NLRI) should be
advertised with a diIIerent set oI attributes.

7
7 {C} Herbert Haas 2005/03/11
Withdrawn Routes
Prefix
(VariabIe)
Length
(1 Byte)
Padded for byte-
aIignment (padding
bits irreIevant
Length in bits of the IP address prefix.
A Iength of zero indicates a prefix that
matches aII IP addresses.
...How destinations are specified within an update
FYI FYI

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