How to Install and Configure BIRD BGP Daemon and Create a BGP Session

Introduction:

BIRD is an open-source routing daemon that can be used to establish BGP sessions between your servers and other networks. In this tutorial, we will be discussing how to install and configure BIRD BGP daemon and create a BGP session.

Prerequisites:

• A server with either Local or Global BGP enabled.
• An IP address or subnet to advertise.

Steps to Install and Configure BIRD BGP Daemon:

1. Choose an IP Address or Subnet to Advertise: If you are using Local BGP, choose an address or subnet from your server’s IP range. If you are using Global BGP, choose an IP address or subnet that you own (BYOIP). In this tutorial, we will be using 10.99.200.138/32 as an example subnet.
2. Update Network Interface: Update the server’s network interfaces with a virtual loopback interface using the following command: cat >>/etc/network/interfaces <<EOF auto lo:0 iface lo:0 inet static address 10.99.200.138 netmask 255.255.255.255 EOF And bring up the interface using the following command: ifup lo:0
3. Install BIRD and System Dependencies: Install system dependencies using the appropriate package manager for your server’s operating system. For example, on Ubuntu 22.04, run the following command: apt -y update && apt -y install bird
4. Configure BIRD: Edit the bird configuration file, typically located at /etc/bird/bird.conf, and add the following configuration lines: router id <your-server-ip>;protocol bgp { local as <your-as-number>; neighbor <neighbor-ip-address> as <neighbor-as-number>; export all; import all; }
5. Replace the variables with your server’s IP address, AS number, neighbor IP address, and neighbor AS number.
6. Start BIRD: Start the BIRD daemon using the following command: systemctl start bird. Check the status of the daemon using the following command: systemctl status bird
7. Verify the BGP Session: Verify that the BGP session is established using the following command: birdc show protocols. You should see a section labeled “BGP” with the status “Established” next to your neighbor’s IP address.

Conclusion: In conclusion, BIRD BGP daemon is a powerful routing daemon that can be used to establish BGP sessions between your servers and other networks. By following the above steps, you can easily install and configure BIRD BGP daemon and create a BGP session with your neighbor.