Contents
- Implementing Static Routes on Cisco IOS XR Software
- Prerequisites for Implementing Static Routes
- Information About Implementing Static Routes
- Static Route Functional Overview
- Default Administrative Distance
- Directly Connected Routes
- Recursive Static Routes
- Fully Specified Static Routes
- Floating Static Routes
- Default VRF
- IPv4 and IPv6 Static VRF Routes
- IPv6/IPv6 VPN Provider Edge Transport over MPLS
- How to Implement Static Routes
- Configuring a Static Route
- Configuring a Static Route Under Multicast SAFI
- Configuring a Floating Static Route
- Configuring Static Routes Between PE-CE Routers
- Changing the Maximum Number of Allowable Static Routes
- Associating a VRF with a Static Route
- Configuration Examples
- Configuring Traffic Discard: Example
- Configuring a Fixed Default Route: Example
- Configuring a Floating Static Route: Example
- Configuring a Static Route Between PE-CE Routers: Example
- Where to Go Next
- Additional References
Implementing Static Routes on Cisco IOS XR Software
This module describes how to implement static routes.
Static routes are user-defined routes that cause packets moving between a source and a destination to take a specified path. Static routes can be important if the Cisco IOS XR software cannot build a route to a particular destination. They are useful for specifying a gateway of last resort to which all unroutable packets are sent.
Note
For more information about static routes on the Cisco IOS XR software and complete descriptions of the static routes commands listed in this module, see the Related Documents section of this module. To locate documentation for other commands that might appear while executing a configuration task, search online in the Cisco IOS XR Commands Master List for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router.
Release
Modification
Release 3.2 This feature was introduced. Release 3.3.0
Support for configuring static routes in static router configuration mode was added.
The route command was replaced with the router static command.
The route maximum command was replaced with the maximum path command.
VPN routing and forwarding (VRF) support was added to the command syntax.
Release 3.4.0
No modification.
Release 3.5.0
IPv6 Provider Edge and IPv6 VPN Provider Edge over Multiprotocol Label Switching support was added.
Release 3.6.0
No modification.
Release 3.7.0
No modification.
Release 3.8.0
No modification.
Release 3.9.0
No modification.
- Prerequisites for Implementing Static Routes
- Information About Implementing Static Routes
- How to Implement Static Routes
- Configuration Examples
- Where to Go Next
- Additional References
Prerequisites for Implementing Static Routes
You must be in a user group associated with a task group that includes the proper task IDs. The command reference guides include the task IDs required for each command. If you suspect user group assignment is preventing you from using a command, contact your AAA administrator for assistance.
Information About Implementing Static Routes
To implement static routes you need to understand the following concepts:
- Static Route Functional Overview
- Default Administrative Distance
- Directly Connected Routes
- Recursive Static Routes
- Fully Specified Static Routes
- Floating Static Routes
- Default VRF
- IPv4 and IPv6 Static VRF Routes
- IPv6/IPv6 VPN Provider Edge Transport over MPLS
Static Route Functional Overview
Static routes are entirely user configurable and can point to a next-hop interface, next-hop IP address, or both. In Cisco IOS XR software, if an interface was specified, then the static route is installed in the Routing Information Base (RIB) if the interface is reachable. If an interface was not specified, the route is installed if the next-hop address is reachable. The only exception to this configuration is when a static route is configured with the permanent attribute, in which case it is installed in RIB regardless of reachability.
Specifying the next-hop IP address is not mandatory for static routes configuration. However, next-hop IP address is mandatory for Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) to use the next-hop information correctly.
When configuring static routes on Cisco IOS XR software, pointing to next-hop interface, a Reverse Path Forwarding (RPF) check for multicast might not point to the correct PIM neighbor if there are multiple static routes for the destination across multiple interfaces. Next-hop IP address must be specified to address this situation.
Networking devices forward packets using route information that is either manually configured or dynamically learned using a routing protocol. Static routes are manually configured and define an explicit path between two networking devices. Unlike a dynamic routing protocol, static routes are not automatically updated and must be manually reconfigured if the network topology changes. The benefits of using static routes include security and resource efficiency. Static routes use less bandwidth than dynamic routing protocols, and no CPU cycles are used to calculate and communicate routes. The main disadvantage to using static routes is the lack of automatic reconfiguration if the network topology changes.
Static routes can be redistributed into dynamic routing protocols, but routes generated by dynamic routing protocols cannot be redistributed into the static routing table. No algorithm exists to prevent the configuration of routing loops that use static routes.
Static routes are useful for smaller networks with only one path to an outside network and to provide security for a larger network for certain types of traffic or links to other networks that need more control. In general, most networks use dynamic routing protocols to communicate between networking devices but may have one or two static routes configured for special cases.
Note
For information on configuring static routes to distribute Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Layer 3 virtual private network (VPN) information, see Cisco IOS XR Multiprotocol Label Switching Configuration Guide.
Default Administrative Distance
Static routes have a default administrative distance of 1. A low number indicates a preferred route. By default, static routes are preferred to routes learned by routing protocols. Therefore, you can configure an administrative distance with a static route if you want the static route to be overridden by dynamic routes. For example, you could have routes installed by the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol with an administrative distance of 120. To have a static route that would be overridden by an OSPF dynamic route, specify an administrative distance greater than 120.
Directly Connected Routes
The routing table considers the static routes that point to an interface as “directly connected.” Directly connected networks are advertised by IGP routing protocols if a corresponding interface command is contained under the router configuration stanza of that protocol.
In directly attached static routes, only the output interface is specified. The destination is assumed to be directly attached to this interface, so the packet destination is used as the next hop address. The following example shows how to specify that all destinations with address prefix 2001:0DB8::/32 are directly reachable through interface GigabitEthernet 0/5/0/0:
RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config)# router static RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config-static)# address-family ipv6 unicast RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config-static-afi)# 2001:0DB8::/32 gigabitethernet 0/5/0/0Directly attached static routes are candidates for insertion in the routing table only if they refer to a valid interface; that is, an interface that is both up and has IPv4 or IPv6 enabled on it.
Recursive Static Routes
In a recursive static route, only the next hop is specified. The output interface is derived from the next hop. The following example shows how to specify that all destinations with address prefix 2001:0DB8::/32 are reachable through the host with address 2001:0DB8:3000::1:
RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config)# router static RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config-static)# address-family ipv6 unicast RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config-static-afi)# 2001:0DB8::/32 2001:0DB8:3000::1A recursive static route is valid (that is, it is a candidate for insertion in the routing table) only when the specified next hop resolves, either directly or indirectly, to a valid output interface, provided the route does not self-recurse, and the recursion depth does not exceed the maximum IPv6 forwarding recursion depth.
A route self-recurses if it is itself used to resolve its own next hop. If a static route becomes self-recursive, RIB sends a notification to static routes to withdraw the recursive route.
Assuming a BGP route 2001:0DB8:3000::0/16 with next hop of 2001:0DB8::0104, the following static route would not be inserted into the IPv6 RIB because the BGP route next hop resolves through the static route and the static route resolves through the BGP route making it self-recursive:
RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config)# router static RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config-static)# address-family ipv6 unicast RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config-static-afi)# 001:0DB8::/32 2001:0DB8:3000::1This static route is not inserted into the IPv6 routing table because it is self-recursive. The next hop of the static route, 2001:0DB8:3000:1, resolves through the BGP route 2001:0DB8:3000:0/16, which is itself a recursive route (that is, it only specifies a next hop). The next hop of the BGP route, 2001:0DB8::0104, resolves through the static route. Therefore, the static route would be used to resolve its own next hop.
It is not normally useful to manually configure a self-recursive static route, although it is not prohibited. However, a recursive static route that has been inserted in the routing table may become self-recursive as a result of some transient change in the network learned through a dynamic routing protocol. If this occurs, the fact that the static route has become self-recursive will be detected and it will be removed from the routing table, although not from the configuration. A subsequent network change may cause the static route to no longer be self-recursive, in which case it is re-inserted in the routing table.
Fully Specified Static Routes
In a fully specified static route, both the output interface and next hop are specified. This form of static route is used when the output interface is multiaccess and it is necessary to explicitly identify the next hop. The next hop must be directly attached to the specified output interface. The following example shows a definition of a fully specified static route:
RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config)# router static RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config-static)# address-family ipv6 unicast RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config-static-afi)# 2001:0DB8::/32 Gigethernet0/0/0/0 2001:0DB8:3000::1A fully specified route is valid (that is, a candidate for insertion into the routing table) when the specified interface, IPv4 or IPv6, is enabled and up.
Floating Static Routes
Floating static routes are static routes that are used to back up dynamic routes learned through configured routing protocols. A floating static route is configured with a higher administrative distance than the dynamic routing protocol it is backing up. As a result, the dynamic route learned through the routing protocol is always preferred to the floating static route. If the dynamic route learned through the routing protocol is lost, the floating static route is used in its place. The following example shows how to define a floating static route:
RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config)# router static RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config-static)# address-family ipv6 unicast RP/0/0/CPU0:router(config-static-afi)# 2001:0DB8::/32 2001:0DB8:3000::1 210Any of the three types of static routes can be used as a floating static route. A floating static route must be configured with an administrative distance that is greater than the administrative distance of the dynamic routing protocol because routes with smaller administrative distances are preferred.
Note
By default, static routes have smaller administrative distances than dynamic routes, so static routes are preferred to dynamic routes.
Default VRF
A static route is always associated with a VPN routing and forwarding (VRF) instance. The VRF can be the default VRF or a specified VRF. Specifying a VRF, using the vrf vrf-name command, allows you to enter VRF configuration mode for a specific VRF where you can configure a static route. If a VRF is not specified, a default VRF static route is configured.
IPv4 and IPv6 Static VRF Routes
An IPv4 or IPv6 static VRF route is the same as a static route configured for the default VRF. The IPv4 and IPV6 address families are supported in each VRF.
IPv6/IPv6 VPN Provider Edge Transport over MPLS
IPv6 Provider Edge (6PE) and IPv6 VPN Provider Edge (6VPE) leverages the existing Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) IPv4 core infrastructure for IPv6 transport. 6PE and 6VPE enables IPv6 sites to communicate with each other over an MPLS IPv4 core network using MPLS label switched paths (LSPs).
Static routes can be configured under the default VRF for 6PE functionality and under IPv6 VPN routing and forwarding (VRF) instances for 6VPE functionality.
For detailed information about configuring 6PE and 6VPE over MPLS, see Cisco IOS XR MPLS Configuration Guide for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router.
How to Implement Static Routes
This section contains the following procedures:
- Configuring a Static Route
- Configuring a Static Route Under Multicast SAFI
- Configuring a Floating Static Route
- Configuring Static Routes Between PE-CE Routers
- Changing the Maximum Number of Allowable Static Routes
- Associating a VRF with a Static Route
Configuring a Static Route
SUMMARY STEPS4. address-family { ipv4 | ipv6 } { unicast | multicast }
5. prefix mask [vrf vrf-name ] { ip-address | interface-type interface-instance } [ distance ] [ description text ] [ tag tag ] [ permanent ]
DETAILED STEPSConfiguring a Static Route Under Multicast SAFI
SUMMARY STEPS2. interface type interface-path-id
4. address-family { ipv4 | ipv6 } multicast
7. address-family { ipv4 | ipv6 } { unicast | multicast } topology topology-name
8. prefix mask [ vrf vrf-name ] [ topology topology-name ] { ip-address | type interface-path-id } [ distance ] [ description text ] [ tag tag ] [ permanent ]
DETAILED STEPSConfiguring a Floating Static Route
SUMMARY STEPS4. address-family { ipv4 | ipv6 } { unicast | multicast }
5. prefix mask [vrf vrf-name ] { ip-address | interface-type interface-instance } [ distance ] [ description text ] [ tag tag ] [ permanent ]
DETAILED STEPSConfiguring Static Routes Between PE-CE Routers
SUMMARY STEPSThis task explains how to configure static routing between PE-CE routers.
Note
VRF fallback is not supported with IPv6 VPN Provider Edge (6VPE).
4. address-family { ipv4 | ipv6 } { unicast | multicast }
5. prefix mask [vrf vrf-name ] { ip-address | interface-type interface- path-id } [ distance ] [ description text ] [ tag tag ] [ permanent ]
DETAILED STEPSChanging the Maximum Number of Allowable Static Routes
Before You BeginSUMMARY STEPS
Note
The number of static routes that can be configured on a router for a given address family is limited by default to 4000. The limit can be raised or lowered using the maximum path command. Note that if you use the maximum path command to reduce the configured maximum allowed number of static routes for a given address family below the number of static routes currently configured, the change is rejected. In addition, understand the following behavior: If you commit a batch of routes that would, when grouped, push the number of static routes configured above the maximum allowed, the first n routes in the batch are accepted. The number previously configured is accepted, and the remainder are rejected. The n argument is the difference between the maximum number allowed and number previously configured.
3. maximum path { ipv4 | ipv6 } value
DETAILED STEPSAssociating a VRF with a Static Route
SUMMARY STEPS4. address-family { ipv4 | ipv6 } { unicast | multicast }
5. prefix mask [vrf vrf-name ] { ip-address | interface-type interface- path-id } [ distance ] [ description text ] [ tag tag ] [ permanent ]
DETAILED STEPSConfiguration Examples
This section provides the following configuration examples:
- Configuring Traffic Discard: Example
- Configuring a Fixed Default Route: Example
- Configuring a Floating Static Route: Example
- Configuring a Static Route Between PE-CE Routers: Example
Configuring Traffic Discard: Example
Configuring a static route to point at interface null 0 may be used for discarding traffic to a particular prefix. For example, if it is required to discard all traffic to prefix 2001:0DB8:42:1/64, the following static route would be defined:
configure router static address-family ipv6 unicast 2001:0DB8:42:1::/64 null 0 endWhere to Go Next
For additional information about static routes, routing protocols, and RIB, consult the following publications:
Implementing and Monitoring RIB on Cisco IOS XR Software in Cisco IOS XR Routing Configuration Guide for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router
Implementing BGP on Cisco IOS XR Software in Cisco IOS XR Routing Configuration Guide for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router
Implementing EIGRP on Cisco IOS XR Software in Cisco IOS XR Routing Configuration Guide for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router
Implementing IS-IS on Cisco IOS XR Software in Cisco IOS XR Routing Configuration Guide for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router
Implementing MPLS Layer 3 VPN on Cisco IOS XR Software in Cisco IOS XR Multiprotocol Label Switching Configuration Guide
Implementing OSPF on Cisco IOS XR Software in Cisco IOS XR Routing Configuration Guide for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router
Implementing OSPFv3 on Cisco IOS XR Software in Cisco IOS XR Routing Configuration Guide for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router
RIB Commands on Cisco IOS XR Software in Cisco IOS XR Routing Command Reference for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router
Implementing RIP on Cisco IOS XR Software in Cisco IOS XR Routing Configuration Guide for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router
Additional References
The following sections provide references related to implementing static routes on Cisco IOS XR software.
Related Documents
Related Topic
Document Title
Static routes commands: complete command syntax, command modes, command history, defaults, usage guidelines, and examples
Static Routing Commands in Cisco IOS XR Routing Command Reference for the Cisco XR 12000 Series Router
MPLS Layer 3 VPN configuration: configuration concepts, task, and examples
Cisco IOS XR MPLS Configuration Guide .
MIBs
MIBs
MIBs Link
— To locate and download MIBs using Cisco IOS XR software, use the Cisco MIB Locator found at the following URL and choose a platform under the Cisco Access Products menu: http://cisco.com/public/sw-center/netmgmt/cmtk/mibs.shtml