Table Of Contents
Setting Up OER Network Components
Prerequisites for Setting Up OER Network Components
Restrictions for Setting Up OER Network Components
Information About Setting Up OER Network Components
Border Routers in an OER-Managed Network
OER Border Router Support for Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches
OER-Managed Network Interfaces
How to Set Up OER Network Components
Setting Up the OER Master Controller
Key Chain Authentication for OER
Master Controller Process Disablement
Setting Up an OER Border Router
Interface Configuration in an OER-Managed Network
Disabling a Border Router Process
Configuring an Interim Border Router
Configuring OER to Control Traffic with Static Routing in Networks Using NAT
Inside Global Addresses Overloading
Configuring iBGP Peering on the Border Routers Managed by OER
Redistributing BGP Routes into an IGP in an OER-Managed Network
Redistributing Static Routes into an IGP in an OER-Managed Network
Redistributing Static Routes into EIGRP in an OER-Managed Network
Registering an Application Interface Provider and Configuring Host Devices
Displaying Information about Application Interface Provider Activity
Configuration Examples for Setting Up OER Network Components
Configuring the OER Master Controller: Example
Configuring an OER Border Router: Example
Configuring an Interim Border Router: Example
Configuring OER to Control Traffic with Static Routing in Networks Using NAT: Example
Configuring iBGP Peering on the Border Routers Managed by OER: Example
Redistributing BGP Routes into an IGP in an OER-Managed Network: Example
Redistributing Static Routes into an IGP in an OER-Managed Network: Example
Redistributing Static Routes into EIGRP in an OER-Managed Network: Example
OER Master Controller and Two Border Routers Deployment: Example
OER Master Controller and Border Router Deployed on a Single Router: Example
Registering an Application Interface Provider and Configuring Host Devices: Example
Feature Information for Setting Up OER Network Components
Setting Up OER Network Components
First Published: January 29, 2007Last Updated: August 21, 2007This module describes the concepts and tasks to help you set up the network components required for an Optimized Edge Routing (OER)-managed network. OER network components are described and configuration tasks are provided to help you configure a master controller (MC) and one or more border routers (BRs) that enable communication between these two software components.
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Your Cisco IOS software release may not support all of the features documented in this module. To reach links to specific feature documentation in this module and to see a list of the releases in which each feature is supported, use the "Feature Information for Setting Up OER Network Components" section.
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Contents
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Prerequisites for Setting Up OER Network Components
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Restrictions for Setting Up OER Network Components
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Information About Setting Up OER Network Components
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How to Set Up OER Network Components
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Configuration Examples for Setting Up OER Network Components
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Feature Information for Setting Up OER Network Components
Prerequisites for Setting Up OER Network Components
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Before setting up OER network components, you should be familiar with the "Cisco IOS Optimized Edge Routing Overview" module.
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Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF) must be enabled on all participating routers.
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Either routing protocol peering must be established on your network or static routing must be configured before setting up OER network components.
If you have configured internal Border Gateway Protocol (iBGP) on the border routers, BGP peering must be either established and consistently applied throughout your network or redistributed into the Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP).
If an IGP is deployed in your network, static route redistribution must be configured with the redistribute command. IGP or static routing should also be applied consistently throughout an OER-managed network; the border router should have a consistent view of the network.
Restrictions for Setting Up OER Network Components
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OER supports only IP security (IPsec) or Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). No other VPN types are supported.
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When two or more border routers are deployed in an OER-managed network, the next hop on each border router, as installed in the Routing Information Base (RIB), cannot be an address from the same subnet as the next hop on the other border router.
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Interfaces that are configured to be under OER control can also carry multicast traffic. However, if the source of the multicast traffic comes from outside of the OER-managed network and inbound multicast traffic is carried over OER-managed exit links, the source multicast address should be excluded from OER control.
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Internet exchange points where a border router can communicate with several service providers over the same broadcast media are not supported.
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Token Ring interfaces are not supported by OER and cannot be configured as OER-managed interfaces. It may be possible to load a Token Ring interface configuration under certain conditions. However, the Token Ring interface will not become active and the border router will not function if the Token Ring interface is the only external interface on the border router.
Information About Setting Up OER Network Components
To configure a basic OER-managed network, you should understand the following concepts:
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Border Routers in an OER-Managed Network
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OER-Managed Network Interfaces
OER-Managed Network
Figure 1 shows an OER-managed network. This network contains a master controller and two border routers. OER is configured on Cisco routers using the Cisco IOS command-line interface (CLI). OER deployment has two primary components: a master controller and one or more border routers. The master controller is the intelligent decision maker, while the border routers are enterprise edge routers with exit interfaces at the network edge. Border routers are either used to access the Internet or used as WAN exit links. OER communication between the master controller and the border routers is carried separately from routing protocol traffic. This communication is protected by Message Digest 5 (MD5) authentication. Each border router has both an external interface, which is connected, for example, to an ISP by a WAN link, and an internal interface that is reachable by the master controller.
Figure 1 OER-Managed Network
External interfaces are used to forward outbound traffic from the network and as the source for active monitoring. Internal interfaces are used for OER communication and for passive monitoring. In Cisco IOS Release 12.4(9)T, the ability to monitor and control inbound traffic was introduced. At least one external and one internal interface must be configured on each border router. At least two external interfaces are required in an OER-managed network. A local interface is configured on the border router for communication with the master controller.
OER Master Controller
The master controller is a single router that coordinates all OER functions within an OER-managed network. A Cisco router can be configured either to run a standalone master controller process or to perform other functions, such as routing or running a border router process. Figure 2 shows an example of a standalone router configured as a master controller.
Figure 2 Master Controller Example
The master controller maintains communication and authenticates the sessions with the border routers. Outbound traffic flows are monitored by the border routers using active or passive monitoring, and the data is collected in a central policy database residing on the router configured as the master controller. Then the master controller applies default or user-defined policies to alter routing to optimize prefixes and exit links. OER administration and control is centralized on the master controller, which makes all policy decisions and controls the border routers. The master controller does not have to be in the traffic forwarding path, but it must be reachable by the border routers. The master controller can support up to 10 border routers and up to 20 OER-managed external interfaces.
Central Policy Database
The master controller continuously monitors the network and maintains a central policy database in which collected statistical information is stored. The master controller compares long-term and short-term measurements. The long-term measurements are collected every 60 minutes. Short-term measurements are collected every 5 minutes. The master controller analyzes these statistics to determine which routes have the lowest delay, highest outbound throughput, relative or absolute packet loss, relative or absolute link cost, and prefix reachability to analyze and optimize the performance of monitored prefixes and to distribute the load from overutilized exit links to underutilized exit links. The locations of the exit links on the border routers are shown in Figure 1.
Tip
We recommend that the master controller be physically close to the border routers to minimize communication response time in OER-managed networks. If traffic is to be routed between border routers, the border routers also should be physically close each other to minimize the number of hops.
Border Routers in an OER-Managed Network
The border router is an enterprise edge router with one or more exit links to another participating network, such as an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and is the site where all policy decisions and changes to routing in the network are enforced. The border router participates in prefix monitoring and route optimization by first reporting prefix and exit link measurements to the master controller and then by enforcing policy changes received from the master controller. The border router enforces policy changes by injecting a preferred route to alter routing in the network. The border router is deployed on the edge of the network, so the border router must be in the forwarding path. A border router process can be enabled on the same router as a master controller process.
Policy Enforcement Point
The border router is the policy enforcement point. Default or user-defined policies are configured on the master controller to set the performance level for prefixes and exit links. The master controller automatically alters routing in the OER-managed network, as necessary, by sending control commands to the border routers to inject a preferred route. The preferred route is advertised or redistributed through the internal network. The preferred route alters default routing behavior so that out-of-policy prefixes are moved from overutilized exit links to underutilized exit links, bringing prefixes and exit links in-policy, thus optimizing the overall performance of the enterprise network.
Tip
We recommend that if traffic is to be routed between border routers, the border routers should be physically close to each other to minimize the number of hops. The master controller also should be physically close to the border routers to minimize communication response time in OER-managed networks.
Single Hop Peer Restriction Avoidance using OER Interim Border Routers
In Cisco IOS Release 12.4(2)T and 12.2(33)SRB, support for a border router that is more than one hop away from another border router was introduced. In releases prior to Cisco IOS Release 12.4(2)T, the border routers must be one hop away from each other. However, if the design of your network requires the border routers to be separated by more than one hop, a Cisco router between the border routers can be configured as an interim border router. The interim border routers act as transit routers between the border routers in your network. The master controller discovers the paths between interim and standard border routers and policy routes traffic through the appropriate external interface on a standard border router.
The configuration of an interim border router is similar to standard border router configuration. There is only one exception. No external interfaces are defined in the master controller configuration for the interim border router. However, a single internal interface must be configured for the interim border router to establish connectivity with the master controller. The configuration on the interim border router is the same as with a standard border router.
Note
Multihop border router peerings are not supported.
OER Border Router Support for Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches
In Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SXH support for using a Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switch as an OER border router was introduced. Only border router functionality is included in the Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SXH images; no master controller configuration is available. The master controller that communicates with the Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switch being used as a border router must be a router running Cisco IOS Release 12.4(6)T or a later release.
The OER master controller software has been modified to handle the limited functionality supported by the Cisco Catalyst 6500 border routers. Using the Route Processor (RP), the Catalyst 6500 border routers can capture throughput statistics only for a traffic class compared to the delay, loss, unreachability, and throughput statistics collected by non-Catalyst 6500 border routers. A master controller will automatically detect the limited capabilities of the Catalyst 6500 border routers and will downgrade other border routers to capture only the throughput statistics for traffic classes. By ignoring other types of statistics, the master controller is presented with a uniform view of the border router functionality.
If one of the border router is identified as a Catalyst 6500 border router, then the master controller starts periodic active probing of the all the traffic classes under OER control and ignores the passive performance statistics. Active probing results received for each traffic class are evaluated against the policies configured for that traffic class.
For more details about profiling and monitoring modifications introduced to support the Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switch as an OER border router, see the "Measuring the Traffic Class Performance and Link Utilization Using OER" module and the "Using OER to Profile the Traffic Classes" module.
OER-Managed Network Interfaces
An OER-managed network must have at least two egress interfaces that can carry outbound traffic and that can be configured as external interfaces. These interfaces should connect to an ISP or WAN link (Frame-Relay, ATM) at the network edge. The router must also have one interface (reachable by the internal network) that can be configured as an internal interface for passive monitoring. There are three interface configurations required to deploy OER:
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External interfaces are configured as OER-managed exit links to forward traffic. The physical external interface is enabled on the border router. The external interface is configured as an OER external interface on the master controller. The master controller actively monitors prefix and exit link performance on these interfaces. Each border router must have at least one external interface, and a minimum of two external interfaces are required in an OER-managed network.
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Internal interfaces are used only for passive performance monitoring with NetFlow. No explicit NetFlow configuration is required. The internal interface is an active border router interface that connects to the internal network. The internal interface is configured as an OER-internal interface on the master controller. At least one internal interface must be configured on each border router.
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Local interfaces are used only for master controller and border router communication. A single interface must be configured as a local interface on each border router. The local interface is identified as the source interface for communication with the master controller.
Tip
If a master controller and border router process are enabled on the same router, a loopback interface should be configured as the local interface.
The following interface types can be configured as external and internal interfaces:
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ATM
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Basic Rate Interface (BRI)
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CTunnel
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Dialer
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Ethernet
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Fast Ethernet
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Gigabit Ethernet
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High-Speed Serial Interface (HSSI)
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Null
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Packet-over-SONET (POS)
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Serial
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Tunnel
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VLAN
The following interface types can be configured as local interfaces:
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Async
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Bridge Group Virtual Interface (BVI)
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Code division multiple access Internet exchange (CDMA-Ix)
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CTunnel
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Dialer
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Ethernet
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Group-Async
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Loopback
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Multilink
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Multilink Frame Relay (MFR)
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Null
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Serial
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Tunnel
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Virtual host interface (Vif)
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Virtual-PPP
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Virtual-Template
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Virtual-TokenRing
Note
A virtual-TokenRing interface can be configured as a local interface. However, Token Ring interfaces are not supported and cannot be configured as external, internal, or local interfaces.
OER Deployment Scenarios
OER can be deployed in an enterprise network, remote office network, or small office home office (SOHO) network using one of the following three configurations shown in Figure 3:
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Configuration A shows a network with two edge routers configured as BRs. The border router that peers with ISP2 is also configured to run a master controller process. This configuration is suitable for a small or medium network with multiple edge routers, each of which provides an exit link to a separate external network.
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Configuration B shows two border routers and a master controller, each running on a separate router. This configuration is suitable for small, medium, and large networks. In this configuration, the master controller process is run on a separate Cisco router. This router performs no routing or forwarding functions, although routing and forwarding functions are not prohibited.
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Configuration C shows a single router that is configured to run a master controller and border router process. This configuration is suitable for a small network with a single router, such as a remote office or home network.
Figure 3 OER Deployment Scenarios
In each deployment scenario, a single master controller is deployed. The master controller does not have to be in the traffic forwarding path but must be reachable by the border routers. A master controller process can be enabled on router that is also configured to run a border router process. The master controller can support up to 10 border routers and up to 20 OER-managed external interfaces. At least one border router process and two external interfaces are required in an OER-managed network.
Note
A Cisco router that is configured to run both a master controller and border router process will use more memory than a router that is configured to run only a border router process. This memory impact should be considered when selecting a router for dual operation. See the following document for more information: Cisco Optimized Edge Routing CPU and Memory Performance Tests.
Routing Control Using OER
Figure 4 shows an OER-managed network. The master controller alters IPv4 routing behavior inside of the OER-managed network to optimize traffic class and exit link performance. OER uses a command and response protocol to manage all communication between the border router and the master controller. The border routers are enterprise edge routers. Routing protocol peering or static routing is established between the border routers and internal peers. The border routers advertise a default route to internal peers through BGP peering, static routing, or route redistribution into an IGP. The master controller alters routing behavior in the OER-managed network by sending control commands to the border routers to inject a preferred route into the internal network.
Figure 4 OER Controls Default Routing Behavior Through Peering or Redistribution
When the master controller determines the best exit for a traffic class prefix, it sends a route control command to the border router with the best exit. The border router searches for a parent route for the monitored prefix. The BGP routing table is searched before the static routing table. The parent route can be a default route for the monitored prefix. If a parent route is found that includes the prefix (the parent route prefix may be equivalent or less specific than the original prefix) and points to the desired exit link by either the route to its next hop or by a direct reference to the interface, a preferred route is injected into the internal network from the border router. OER injects the preferred route where the first parent is found. The preferred route can be an injected BGP route or an injected static route. The preferred route is learned by internal peers, which in turn recalculate their routing tables, causing the monitored prefix to be moved to the preferred exit link. The preferred route is advertised only to the internal network, not to external peers.
Border Router Peering with the Internal Network
The master controller alters default routing behavior in the OER-managed network by injecting preferred routes into the routing tables of the border routers. The border routers peer with other routers in the internal network through BGP peering, BGP or static route redistribution into an IGP, or static routing. The border routers advertise the preferred route to internal peers.
The border routers should be close to one another in terms of hops and throughput and should have a consistent view of the network; routing should be configured consistently across all border routers. The master controller verifies that a monitored prefix has a parent route with a valid next hop before it commands the border routers to alter routing. The border router will not inject a route where one does not already exist. This behavior is designed to prevent traffic from being lost because of an invalid next hop.
Note
When two or more border routers are deployed in an OER-managed network, the next hop on each border router, as installed in the RIB, cannot be an IP address from the same subnet.
BGP Peering with OER
Standard iBGP peering can be established between the border routers and other internal peers. External BGP (eBGP) peering or a default route is configured to the ISP. In an iBGP network, the local preference attribute is used to set the preference for injected routes. Local preference is a discretionary attribute that is used to apply the degree of preference to a route during BGP best-path selection. This attribute is exchanged only between iBGP peers and is not advertised outside of the OER-managed network or to eBGP peers. The prefix with the highest local preference value is locally advertised as the preferred path to the destination. OER applies a local preference value of 5000 to injected routes by default. A local preference value from 1 to 65535 can be configured.
Note
If a local preference value of 5000 or higher has been configured for default BGP routing, you should configure a higher local preference value in OER using the mode command in OER master controller configuration mode.
Note
In Cisco IOS Release 12.4(6)T and prior releases, the IP address for each eBGP peering session must be reachable from the border router via a connected route. Peering sessions established through loopback interfaces or with the neighbor ebgp-multihop command are not supported. In Cisco IOS Release 12.4(9)T and 12.2(33)SRB, the neighbor ebgp-multihop command is supported.
BGP Redistribution into an IGP
BGP redistribution can be used if the border routers are configured to run BGP (for ISP peering for example) and the internal peers are configured to run another routing protocol (such as Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol [EIGRP], Open Shortest Path First [OSPF] or Routing Information Protocol [RIP]). The border routers can advertise a single, default route or full routing tables to the internal network. If you use BGP to redistribute more than a default route into an IGP, we recommend that you use IP prefix-list and route-map statements to limit the number of redistributed prefixes (BGP routing tables can be very large).
Static Routing and Static Route Redistribution into an IGP
Static routing or static route redistribution can be configured in the internal network. OER alters routing for this type of network by injecting temporary static routes. The temporary static route replaces the parent static route. OER will not inject a temporary static route where a parent static route does not exist. OER applies a default tag value of 5000 to identify the injected static route. In a network where only static routing is configured, no redistribution configuration is required. In a network where an IGP is deployed and BGP is not run on the border routers, static routes to border router exit interfaces must be configured, and these static routes must be redistributed into the IGP.
CautionCaution must be applied when redistributing OER static routes into an IGP. The routes injected by OER may be more specific than routes in the IGP, and it will appear as if the OER border router is originating these routes. To avoid routing loops, the redistributed OER static routes should never be advertised over a WAN by an OER border router or any other router. Route filtering and stub network configuration can be used to prevent advertising the OER static routes. If the OER static routes are redistributed to routers terminating the OER external interfaces, routing loops may occur.
Split Prefixes Injected into the Routing Table
When configured to control a subset of a larger network, the master controller will add an appropriate route or split prefix to the existing routing table, as necessary. A split prefix is a more specific route that is derived from a less specific parent prefix. For example, if a /24 prefix is configured to be optimized, but only a /16 route is installed to the routing table, the master controller will inject a /24 prefix using the attributes of the /16 prefix. Any subset of the less-specific prefix can be derived, including a single host route. Split prefixes are processed only inside the OER-managed network and are not advertised to external networks. If BGP is deployed in the OER-managed network, the master controller will inject a more specific BGP route. If BGP is not deployed, the master controller will inject a more specific temporary static route.
OER and NAT
When Cisco IOS OER and NAT functionality are configured on the same router and OER controls the routing for a traffic class using static routing, some applications may fail to operate due to dropped packets. This dropping of packets behavior is seen when static routing is used to connect to multiple ISPs from the same router, OER uses static routing to control the traffic class routing, and one or more of the ISPs use Unicast Reverse Path Forwarding (Unicast RPF) filtering for security reasons. Packets are dropped at the ingress router performing Unicast RPF because OER changes the route for an outgoing packet for a traffic class from one exit interface to another after the NAT translation from a private IP address to a public IP address is performed. When the packet is transmitted, Unicast RPF filtering at the ingress router (for example, an ISP router) will show a different source IP address from the source IP address pool assigned by NAT, and the packet is dropped. For example, Figure 5 shows how OER works with NAT.
Figure 5 OER with NAT
The NAT translation occurs at the router that is connected to the internal network, and this router can be a border router or a combined master controller and border router. If OER changes routes to optimize traffic class performance and to perform load balancing, traffic from the border router in Figure 5 that was routed through the interface to ISP1 may be rerouted through the interface to ISP2 after the traffic performance is measured and policy thresholds are applied. The RPF check occurs at the ISP routers and any packets that are now routed through ISP2 will fail the RPF check at the ingress router for ISP2 because the IP address of the source interface has changed.
The solution involves a minimal configuration change with a new keyword, oer, that has been added to the ip nat inside source command. When the oer keyword is configured, new NAT translations are given the source IP address of the interface that OER has selected for the packet and OER forces existing flows to be routed through the interface for which the NAT translation was created. For example, OER is configured to manage traffic on a border router with two interfaces, InterfaceA to ISP1 and InterfaceB to ISP2 in Figure 5. OER is first configured to control a traffic class representing Web traffic and the NAT translation for this traffic already exists with the source IP address in the packets set to InterfaceA. OER measures the traffic performance and determines that InterfaceB is currently the best exit for traffic flows, but OER does not change the existing flow. When OER is then configured to learn and measure a traffic class representing e-mail traffic, and the e-mail traffic starts, the NAT translation is done for InterfaceB. The OER static routing NAT solution is a single box solution and configurations with interfaces on multiple routers using NAT and managed by OER are not supported. Network configurations using NAT and devices such as PIX firewalls that do not run Cisco IOS software are not supported.
For details about configuring the OER static routing NAT solution, see the "Configuring OER to Control Traffic with Static Routing in Networks Using NAT" task.
OER Application Interface
In Cisco IOS Release 12.4(15)T support for an OER application interface was introduced. The OER application interface defines the mode of communication and messaging between applications and the network for the purpose of optimizing the traffic associated with the applications. A provider is defined as an entity outside the network in which the router configured as an OER master controller exists, for example, an ISP, or a branch office of the same company. The provider has one or more host devices running one or more applications that use the OER application interface to communicate with an OER master controller. A provider must be registered with an OER master controller before an application on a host device can interface with OER. Host devices in the provider network running an application that communicates with OER must also be configured at an OER master controller with an IP address and key chain password.
After registration, a host device in the provider network can initiate a session with an OER master controller. When a provider application initiates a session with an OER master controller, a session identifier (ID) number is allocated to the session. After a session is established, the application can send a request for reports containing performance numbers for traffic classes, dynamically create policies to influence the existing traffic classes, or specify new traffic class criteria.
The application interface can be used by Cisco partners to develop applications. An example of application developed by a partner is OER Manager by Fluke Networks. OER Manager is a complete graphical-user interface (GUI) interface for the Optimized Edge Routing technology. It provides detailed reporting on traffic class performance and OER behavior as well as easy-to-use configuration of OER traffic classes and policies. For more details about OER Manager, go to http://www.flukenetworks.com/pfr.
The OER application interface permits a maximum of five concurrent sessions, and keepalives are used to check that the session between the host application device and the OER master controller is still active. If the session is dropped, all policies created in the session are dropped. An application may negotiate an ability for the session to persist in the case of a temporary outage.
Application Interface Priority
The OER application interface has three main levels of priority to help resolve conflicts with requests coming from providers, host devices, and policies. In Table 1 the three priority levels are shown with the scope of the priority, whether the priority level can be configured on the master controller, the range and default values, if applicable.
When multiple providers are registered with OER, an optional priority value can be specified to give OER the ability to order requests coming in from multiple providers. Host devices in a provider network can also be assigned a priority. The lower the priority value, the higher the priority. If you configure a priority, each provider must be assigned a different priority number. If you try to assign the same priority number to two different providers, an error message is displayed on the console. Host devices must also be configured with different priority numbers if a priority is configured. If a priority has not been configured for the provider or host device, the priority is set to the default value of 65535, which is the lowest priority.
The application administrator assigns a priority to all applications. This priority is conveyed to the Network in terms of a policy priority. The lower the application priority number, the higher the priority of the application. Policy priority is handled using the policy sequence number. A policy sequence number—see Table 2—is a 64 bit number calculated by placing provider priority in bytes 1 and 2, host priority in bytes 3 and 4, policy priority in bytes 5 and 6 and Session ID in bytes 7 and 8. The policy sequence number is calculated by the OER master controller. An example policy sequence number is 18446744069421203465, representing a provider priority value of 65535, a host priority of 65535, a policy priority of 101, and a session ID of 9.
Use the show oer master policy command to view the policy sequence number. The lower the sequence number, the higher the priority for the policy.
Table 2 Formulation of a Policy Sequence Number
Bits 0-7 Bits 8-15 Bits 16-23 Bits 24-31Provider Priority
Host Priority
Bits 32-39 Bits 40-48 Bits 49-56 Bits 57-64Policy Priority
Session ID
In the situation where an application tries to create two policies with same policy priority; the second policy creation attempt will fail.
OER Application Interface Reporting Deployment
An application communicating through an OER application interface can request performance reports from OER and use the report information to create graphs and charts of the information. Figure 6 shows a diagram of an example reporting model. In this example, the topology contains multiple sites using OER within the site. Each site has a master controller but the company wants to review reports about activities in each site such as overall inter-site traffic activity, voice and video traffic activity, and data center access reports. An OER application interface solution is implemented with a reporting application—see Figure 6—that resides in a central location. The reporting application is registered at each OER master controller and the application initiates a session with each master controller and requests traffic class performance information. The master controller at each site exports information to the application, which consolidates the information and displays graphs and charts. Reports can be requested at specified intervals to keep the information on the reporting application updated.
Figure 6 OER Application Interface Reporting Model
At each site the master controller can monitor provider activity. Several Cisco IOS command-line interface (CLI) commands allow you to view provider information including details about dynamic policies created by the application. Reporting can also be implemented for a single site.
In summary, the OER application interface provides an automated method for networks to be aware of applications and provides application-aware performance routing.
OER Logging and Reporting
Cisco IOS OER supports standard syslog functions. The notice level of syslog is enabled by default. System logging is enabled and configured in Cisco IOS software under global configuration mode. The logging command in OER master controller or OER border router configuration mode is used only to enable or disable system logging under OER. OER system logging supports the following message types:
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Error Messages—These messages indicate OER operational failures and communication problems that can impact normal OER operation.
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Debug Messages—These messages are used to monitor detailed OER operations to diagnose operational or software problems.
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Notification Messages—These messages indicate that OER is performing a normal operation.
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Warning Messages—These messages indicate that OER is functioning properly but an event outside of OER may be impacting normal OER operation.
To modify system, terminal, destination, and other system global logging parameters, use the logging commands in global configuration mode. For more information about global system logging configuration, see to the "Troubleshooting, Logging, and Fault Management" section of the Cisco IOS Network Management Configuration Guide, Release 12.4.
How to Set Up OER Network Components
To set up an OER-managed network you must configure routing protocol peering or redistribution between border routers and peer routers in order for OER to control routing. Perform the first two tasks to set up the OER master controller and OER border routers. After performing these required tasks, the other tasks are optional and depend on the existing routing configuration in your network. For example, if only static routing is configured in your network, no optional configuration tasks are necessary for initial OER configuration.
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Setting Up the OER Master Controller
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Setting Up an OER Border Router
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Configuring an Interim Border Router
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Configuring OER to Control Traffic with Static Routing in Networks Using NAT
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Configuring iBGP Peering on the Border Routers Managed by OER
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Redistributing BGP Routes into an IGP in an OER-Managed Network
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Redistributing Static Routes into an IGP in an OER-Managed Network
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Redistributing Static Routes into EIGRP in an OER-Managed Network
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Registering an Application Interface Provider and Configuring Host Devices
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Displaying Information about Application Interface Provider Activity
Setting Up the OER Master Controller
Perform this task to set up the OER master controller to manage an OER-managed network. This task must be performed on the router designated as the OER master controller. For an example network configuration of a master router and two border routers, see Figure 7. Communication is first established between the master controller and the border routers with key-chain authentication being configured to protect the communication session between the master controller and the border routers. Internal and external border router interfaces are also specified.
Figure 7 Master Controller and Border Router Diagram
Key Chain Authentication for OER
Communication between the master controller and the border router is protected by key-chain authentication. The authentication key must be configured on both the master controller and the border router before communication can be established. The key-chain configuration is defined in global configuration mode on both the master controller and the border router before key-chain authentication is enabled for master controller-to-border router communication. For more information about key management in Cisco IOS software, see the "Managing Authentication Keys" section of the "Configuring IP Routing Protocol-Independent Features" chapter in the Cisco IOS IP Routing Protocols Configuration Guide, Release 12.4.
Master Controller Process Disablement
To disable a master controller and completely remove the process configuration from the running configuration, use the no oer master command in global configuration mode.
To temporarily disable a master controller, use the shutdown command in OER master controller configuration mode. Entering the shutdown command stops an active master controller process but does not remove any configuration parameters. The shutdown command is displayed in the running configuration file when enabled.
Manual Port Configuration
Communication between the master controller and border router is automatically carried over port 3949 when connectivity is established. Port 3949 is registered with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) for OER communication. Support for port 3949 was introduced in Cisco IOS Release 12.3(11)T and 12.2(33)SRB. Manual port number configuration is required only if you are running Cisco IOS Release 12.3(8)T or if you need to configure OER communication to use a dynamic port number.
Prerequisites
Interfaces must be defined and reachable by the master controller and the border router before an OER-managed network can be configured.
Note
Token Ring interfaces are not supported by OER and cannot be configured as OER-managed interfaces. It may be possible to load a Token Ring interface configuration under certain conditions. However, the Token Ring interface will not become active, and the border router will not function if the Token Ring interface is the only external interface on the border router.
Tip
We recommend that the master controller be physically close to the border routers to minimize communication response time in OER-managed networks. If traffic is to be routed between border routers, the border routers also should be physically close each other to minimize the number of hops.
SUMMARY STEPS
1.
enable
2.
configure terminal
3.
key chain name-of-chain
4.
key key-id
5.
key-string text
6.
exit
7.
exit
8.
Repeat Step 3 through Step 7 with appropriate changes to configure key chain authentication for each border router.
9.
oer master
10.
port port-number
11.
logging
12.
border ip-address [key-chain key-chain-name]
13.
interface type number external
14.
exit
15.
interface type number internal
16.
exit
17.
Repeat Step 12 through Step 16 with appropriate changes to establish communication with each border router.
18.
keepalive timer
19.
end
20.
show running-config
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action PurposeStep 1
enable
Example:Router> enable
Enables privileged EXEC mode.
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Enter your password if prompted.
Step 2
configure terminal
Example:Router# configure terminal
Enters global configuration mode.
Step 3
key chain name-of-chain
Example:Router(config)# key chain border1_OER
Enables key-chain authentication and enters key-chain configuration mode.
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Key-chain authentication protects the communication session between the master controller and the border router. The key ID and key string must match in order for communication to be established.
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In this example, a key chain is created for use with border router 1.
Step 4
key key-id
Example:Router(config-keychain)# key 1
Identifies an authentication key on a key chain.
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The key ID must match the key ID configured on the border router.
Step 5
key-string text
Example:Router(config-keychain-key)# key-string b1
Specifies the authentication string for the key and enters key-chain key configuration mode.
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The authentication string must match the authentication string configured on the border router.
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Any encryption level can be configured.
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In this example, a key string is created for use with border router 1.
Step 6
exit
Example:Router(config-keychain-key)# exit
Exits key-chain key configuration mode and returns to key-chain configuration mode.
Step 7
exit
Example:Router(config-keychain)# exit
Exits key-chain configuration mode and returns to global configuration mode.
Step 8
Repeat Step 3 through Step 7 with appropriate changes to configure key chain authentication for each border router.
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Step 9
oer master
Example:Router(config)# oer master
Enters OER master controller configuration mode to configure a router as a master controller.
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A master controller and border router process can be enabled on the same router (for example, in a network that has a single router with two exit links to different service providers).
Note
Only the syntax used in this context is displayed. For more details, see the Cisco IOS Optimized Edge Routing Command Reference, Release 12.4T
Step 10
port port-number
Example:Router(config-oer-mc)# port 65534
(Optional) Configures a dynamic port for communication between the master controller and border router.
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Communication cannot be established until the same port number has been configured on both the master controller and the border router.
Note
Manual port number configuration is required to establish OER communication only when running Cisco IOS Release 12.3(8)T.
Step 11
logging
Example:Router(config-oer-mc)# logging
Enables syslog messages for a master controller or border router process.
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The notice level of syslog messages is enabled by default.
Step 12
border ip-address [key-chain key-chain-name]
Example:Router(config-oer-mc)# border 10.1.1.2 key-chain border1_OER
Enters OER-managed border router configuration mode to establish communication with a border router.
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An IP address is configured to identify the border router.
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At least one border router must be specified to create an OER-managed network. A maximum of ten border routers can be controlled by a single master controller.
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The value for the key-chain-name argument must match the key-chain name configured in Step 3.
Note
The key-chain keyword and key-chain-name argument must be entered when a border router is initially configured. However, this keyword is optional when reconfiguring an existing border router.
Step 13
interface type number external
Example:Router(config-oer-mc-br)# interface Ethernet 1/0 external
Configures a border router interface as an OER-managed external interface.
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External interfaces are used to forward traffic and for active monitoring.
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A minimum of two external border router interfaces are required in an OER-managed network. At least one external interface must be configured on each border router. A maximum of 20 external interfaces can be controlled by single master controller.
TipConfiguring an interface as an OER-managed external interface on a router enters OER border exit interface configuration mode. In this mode, you can configure maximum link utilization or cost-based optimization for the interface.
Note
Entering the interface command without the external or internal keyword places the router in global configuration mode and not OER border exit configuration mode. The no form of this command should be applied carefully so that active interfaces are not removed from the router configuration.
Step 14
exit
Example:Router(config-oer-mc-br-if)# exit
Exits OER-managed border exit interface configuration mode and returns to OER-managed border router configuration mode.
Step 15
interface type number internal
Example:Router(config-oer-mc-br)# interface Ethernet 0/0 internal
Configures a border router interface as an OER controlled internal interface.
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Internal interfaces are used for passive monitoring only. Internal interfaces do not forward traffic.
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At least one internal interface must be configured on each border router.
Note
Support to configure a VLAN interface as an internal interface was introduced in Cisco IOS Release 12.3(14)T and 12.2(33)SRB.
Step 16
exit
Example:Router(config-oer-mc-br)# exit
Exits OER-managed border router configuration mode and returns to OER master controller configuration mode.
Step 17
Repeat Step 12 through Step 16 with appropriate changes to establish communication with each border router.
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Step 18
keepalive timer
Example:Router(config-oer-mc)# keepalive 10
(Optional) Configures the length of time that an OER master controller will maintain connectivity with an OER border router after no keepalive packets have been received.
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The example sets the keepalive timer to 10 seconds. The default keepalive timer is 60 seconds.
Step 19
end
Example:Router(config-oer-mc-learn)# end
Exits OER Top Talker and Top Delay learning configuration mode and returns to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 20
show running-config
Example:Router# show running-config
(Optional) Displays the running configuration to verify the configuration entered in this task.
Examples
The following partial output shows the section of the running configuration file that contains the OER master controller configuration from this task. A second border router was also identified.
Router# show running-config!key chain border1_OERkey 1key-string b1key chain border2_OERkey 1key-string b2oer masterport 65534keepalive 10logging!border 10.1.1.2 key-chain border1_OERinterface Ethernet0/0 internalinterface Ethernet1/0 external!border 10.1.1.3 key-chain border2_OERinterface Ethernet0/0 internalinterface Ethernet1/0 external...Setting Up an OER Border Router
Perform this task to set up an OER border router. This task must be performed at each border router in your OER-managed network. For an example network configuration of a master router and two border routers, see Figure 7. Communication is first established between the border router and the master controller with key-chain authentication being configured to protect the communication session between the border router and the master controller. A local interface is configured as the source for communication with the master controller, and external interfaces are configured as OER-managed exit links.
Interface Configuration in an OER-Managed Network
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Each border router must have at least one external interface that is either used to connect to an ISP or is used as an external WAN link. A minimum of two external interfaces are required in an OER-managed network.
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Each border router must have at least one internal interface. Internal interfaces are used for only passive performance monitoring with NetFlow. Internal interfaces are not used to forward traffic.
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Each border router must have at least one local interface. Local interfaces are used only for master controller and border router communication. A single interface must be configured as a local interface on each border router.
Tip
If a master controller and border router process is enabled on the same router, a loopback interface should be configured as the local interface.
Disabling a Border Router Process
To disable a border router and completely remove the process configuration from the running configuration, use the no oer border command in global configuration mode.
To temporarily disable a border router process, use the shutdown command in OER border router configuration mode. Entering the shutdown command stops an active border router process but does not remove any configuration parameters. The shutdown command is displayed in the running configuration file when enabled.
Prerequisites
Perform the task "Setting Up the OER Master Controller" section to set up the master controller and define the interfaces and establish communication with the border routers.
Tip
We recommend that the border routers be physically close to one another to minimize the number of hops. The master controller also should be physically close to the border routers to minimize communication response time in OER-managed networks.
Restrictions
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Internet exchange points where a border router can communicate with several service providers over the same broadcast media are not supported.
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When two or more border routers are deployed in an OER-managed network, the next hop to an external network on each border router, as installed in the RIB, cannot be an IP address from the same subnet.
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In Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SXH support for using a Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switch as an OER border router was introduced. Only border router functionality is included in the Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SXH images; no master controller configuration is available. The master controller that communicates with the Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switch being used as a border router must be a router running Cisco IOS Release 12.4(6)T or a later release.
SUMMARY STEPS
1.
enable
2.
configure terminal
3.
key chain name-of-chain
4.
key key-id
5.
key-string text
6.
exit
7.
exit
8.
oer border
9.
port port-number
10.
local type number
11.
master ip-address key-chain key-chain-name
12.
end
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action PurposeStep 1
enable
Example:Router> enable
Enables privileged EXEC mode.
•
Enter your password if prompted.
Step 2
configure terminal
Example:Router# configure terminal
Enters global configuration mode.
Step 3
key chain name-of-chain
Example:Router(config)# key chain border1_OER
Enables key-chain authentication and enters key-chain configuration mode.
•
Key-chain authentication protects the communication session between both the master controller and the border router. The key ID and key string must match in order for communication to be established.
Step 4
key key-id
Example:Router(config-keychain)# key 1
Identifies an authentication key on a key chain and enters key-chain key configuration mode.
•
The key ID must match the key ID configured on the master controller.
Step 5
key-string text
Example:Router(config-keychain-key)# key-string b1
Specifies the authentication string for the key.
•
The authentication string must match the authentication string configured on the master controller.
•
Any level of encryption can be configured.
Step 6
exit
Example:Router(config-keychain-key)# exit
Exits key-chain key configuration mode and returns to key-chain configuration mode.
Step 7
exit
Example:Router(config-keychain)# exit
Exits key-chain configuration mode and returns to global configuration mode.
Step 8
oer border
Example:Router(config)# oer border
Enters OER border router configuration mode to configure a router as a border router.
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The border router must be in the forwarding path and contain at least one external and internal interface.
Note
Only the syntax used in this context is displayed. For more details, see the Cisco IOS Optimized Edge Routing Command Reference, Release 12.4T
Step 9
port port-number
Example:Router(config-oer-br)# port 65534
(Optional) Configures a dynamic port for communication between an OER master controller and border router.
•
Communication cannot be established until the same port number has been configured on both the border router and the master controller.
Note
Manual port number configuration is required to establish OER communication only when running Cisco IOS Release 12.3(8)T.
Step 10
local type number
Example:Router(config-oer-br)# local Ethernet 0/0
Identifies a local interface on an OER border router as the source for communication with an OER master controller.
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A local interface must be defined.
TipA loopback should be configured when a single router is configured to run both a master controller and border router process.









