Introduction to Forwarding Analysis using Batfish

Analyzing how the network forwards packets is one of the most common tasks for network engineers. Typically, it is performed by running traceroute between multiple sources and destinations. This process is highly complex even in a moderately-sized network. It also fails to provide strong assurance as only some of the source-destination pairs and some of the packets can be feasibly tested.

Batfish makes forwarding analysis extremely simple by providing 1) easy-to-use queries over a centralized view of the network; and 2) ability to reason comprehensively about entire spaces of flows. Further, it can perform this analysis proactively, that is, analyze the impact of configuration changes before they are pushed to the network.

In this notebook, we will show you how to perform forwarding analysis with Batfish.

Check out a video demo of this notebook here.

[1]:
# Import packages
%run startup.py
bf = Session(host="localhost")

Setup: Initializing the Network and Snapshot

SNAPSHOT_PATH below can be updated to point to a custom snapshot directory. See the Batfish instructions for how to package data for analysis.

More example networks are available in the networks folder of the Batfish repository.

[2]:
NETWORK_NAME = "example_network"
SNAPSHOT_NAME = "example_snapshot"

SNAPSHOT_PATH = "networks/example"

bf.set_network(NETWORK_NAME)
bf.init_snapshot(SNAPSHOT_PATH, name=SNAPSHOT_NAME, overwrite=True)
[2]:
'example_snapshot'

The network snapshot that we initialized above is illustrated below. You can view or download the devices’ configuration files here.

example-network

All of the information we will show you in this notebook is dynamically computed by Batfish based on the configuration files for the network devices.


Batfish Smart Traceroute: Detailed analysis of path(s) of a flow

In this section, we will use the traceroute question to find the path taken by AS3 core routers to reach the DNS Server (host1) in AS2. Traceroute has three (composite) parameters that you can specify, allowing for a variety of queries. We will focus on the two main ones:

  • startLocation - where in the network the flow starts

  • headers - packet headers for the flow you are interested in tracing. This is not just limited to UDP or ICMP.

We want the trace to start from the Loopback0 interface on as3core1, and we want to use the IP address of that interface as the source address. For this we set the startLocation to as3core1[Loopback0]. Batfish automatically chooses the IP address of Loopback0 as the source IP.

We set the destination IP address of our virtual packet by specifying dstIps='ofLocation(host1)'. Batfish will automatically pick one of the IP addresses for host1 as the destination IP address. See the ofLocation function (see documentation for more detail).

To run the query:

[3]:
# start the traceroute from the Loopback0 interface of as3core1 to host1
headers = HeaderConstraints(dstIps='host1')
tracert = bf.q.traceroute(startLocation="as3core1[Loopback0]", headers=headers).answer().frame()

To pretty-print the traces in HTML use the display_html function. We will show you how to extract more detailed information below.

[4]:
show(tracert)
Flow Traces TraceCount
0 Start Location: as3core1
Src IP: 3.10.1.1
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 33434
IP Protocol: UDP
DENIED_IN
1. node: as3core1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 3.0.1.1, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/16, Next Hop: ip 10.23.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as3border1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 10.23.21.2, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/16, Next Hop: ip 10.23.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
3. node: as2border2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.22.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
4. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.22.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
6. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
7. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  DENIED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))

DENIED_IN
1. node: as3core1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 3.0.1.1, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/16, Next Hop: ip 10.23.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as3border1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 10.23.21.2, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/16, Next Hop: ip 10.23.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
3. node: as2border2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.22.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
4. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.21.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
5. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
6. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
7. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  DENIED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))

DENIED_IN
1. node: as3core1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 3.0.1.1, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/16, Next Hop: ip 10.23.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as3border1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 10.23.21.2, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/16, Next Hop: ip 10.23.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
3. node: as2border2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.21.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.11.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
6. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
7. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  DENIED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))

DENIED_IN
1. node: as3core1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 3.0.1.1, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/16, Next Hop: ip 10.23.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as3border1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 10.23.21.2, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/16, Next Hop: ip 10.23.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
3. node: as2border2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.21.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.12.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
5. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
6. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
7. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  DENIED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
4

The Flow column describes the packet being traced: it starts at as3core1 using source IP 3.10.1.1 (of Loopback0) and and destination IP 2.128.0.101. By default, bf.q.traceroute uses the standard UDP traceroute to destination port 33434, and Batfish arbitrarily picks the lowest ephemeral source port of 49152.

[5]:
tracert['Flow'][0]
[5]:
Start Location: as3core1
Src IP: 3.10.1.1
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 33434
IP Protocol: UDP

The Trace column contains the detailed information provided by Batfish about the paths through the network for each flow. Let’s look in detail on the first path:

[6]:
tracert['Traces'][0][0]  # Get the trace for the first path of the first flow
[6]:
DENIED_IN
1. node: as3core1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 3.0.1.1, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/16, Next Hop: ip 10.23.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as3border1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 10.23.21.2, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/16, Next Hop: ip 10.23.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
3. node: as2border2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.22.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
4. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.22.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
6. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
7. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  DENIED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))

This flow starts at as3core1 and crosses from AS3 into AS2 via the border routers as3border1 and as2border2; on as2border2, the flow is permitted by the inbound ACL OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE. Once inside AS2, the flow is forwarded through AS2’s core and distribution servers to the department router. The flow does reach host1, but is blocked by that server iptables rule filter::INPUT on eth0.

The TraceCount column reports the total number of paths for each flow. In this example, the count 4 matches the four paths we saw in the Traces column. These are all the best-cost paths inside AS2 – the flow can go through either as2core1 or as2core2 and either as2dist1 or as2dist2.

Detail: TraceCount may not always match the TracesColumn: in networks with high ECMP, there may be hundreds or even thousands of traces even for a single flow, in which case the Traces column will produce fewer results.

[7]:
tracert['TraceCount'][0]
[7]:
4

To programmatically get the detailed information about the final hop of the first trace in pure Python form:

[8]:
last_hop = tracert['Traces'][0][0].hops[-1]
repr(last_hop)
[8]:
"Hop(node='host1', steps=[Step(detail=EnterInputIfaceStepDetail(inputInterface='eth0', inputVrf='default'), action='RECEIVED'), Step(detail=FilterStepDetail(filter='filter::INPUT', filterType='INGRESS_FILTER', inputInterface='eth0', flow=Flow(dscp=0, dstIp='2.128.0.101', dstPort=33434, ecn=0, fragmentOffset=0, icmpCode=None, icmpVar=None, ingressInterface=None, ingressNode='as3core1', ingressVrf='default', ipProtocol='UDP', packetLength=512, srcIp='3.10.1.1', srcPort=49152, tcpFlagsAck=0, tcpFlagsCwr=0, tcpFlagsEce=0, tcpFlagsFin=0, tcpFlagsPsh=0, tcpFlagsRst=0, tcpFlagsSyn=0, tcpFlagsUrg=0)), action='DENIED')])"

Note that compared to running traceroute on a router, Batfish is able to provide much more detail about the trace:

  1. All active parallel paths between the source and destination

  2. The reason why each hop in a path is taken (the specific routing entry that was matched)

  3. All processing steps inside each hop on the path

  4. All interfaces visited and filters encountered during the trace

  5. The disposition of the flow for each path

Batfish Reachability: Search for forwarding behaviors in (large) spaces of flows

Batfish’s smart traceroute provides detailed information about all paths taken by a specified flow through the network, which is a powerful capability for exploring and testing network behavior. However, network engineers often need information about some type of flow, without being able to specify a particular flow of that type. For example, we may want to know what TCP flows can (or cannot) reach a particular host. In other words, we want to search within the (huge!) space of TCP flows addressed to that host. Batfish’s reachability question is an easy and efficient way to perform exactly this kind of search.

Example 1: Search for DNS flows that reach the DNS server

Continuing with our running example, let’s search for DNS flows within AS2 that reach our DNS server host1. The parameter srcIps='0.0.0.0/0' tells Batfish to search within the entire space of source IP addresses.

Detail: In traceroute ofLocation(host1) specified a single IP address of host1 (chosen arbitrarily). In reachability, it specifies to search over all IP addresses of host1.

[9]:
path = PathConstraints(startLocation="/as2/")
headers = HeaderConstraints(srcIps="0.0.0.0/0", dstIps="host1", applications="DNS")
reach = bf.q.reachability(pathConstraints=path, headers=headers, actions="success").answer().frame()
show(reach)
Flow Traces TraceCount
0 Start Location: as2border1
Src IP: 10.0.0.0
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 53
IP Protocol: UDP
ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.11.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.11.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.11.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.12.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
3. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.12.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.22.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.12.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.21.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
3. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)
4
1 Start Location: as2border2
Src IP: 10.0.0.0
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 53
IP Protocol: UDP
ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.22.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.22.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.22.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.21.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
3. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.21.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.11.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.21.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.12.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
3. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)
4
2 Start Location: as2core1
Src IP: 10.0.0.0
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 53
IP Protocol: UDP
ACCEPTED
1. node: as2core1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.11.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2core1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.12.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
2. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)
2
3 Start Location: as2core2
Src IP: 10.0.0.0
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 53
IP Protocol: UDP
ACCEPTED
1. node: as2core2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.22.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2core2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.21.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
2. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)
2
4 Start Location: as2dept1
Src IP: 10.0.0.0
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 53
IP Protocol: UDP
ACCEPTED
1. node: as2dept1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)
1
5 Start Location: as2dist1
Src IP: 10.0.0.0
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 53
IP Protocol: UDP
ACCEPTED
1. node: as2dist1
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)
1
6 Start Location: as2dist2
Src IP: 10.0.0.0
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 53
IP Protocol: UDP
ACCEPTED
1. node: as2dist2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)
1

As you can see, this query found some DNS flow entering the network at each as2... node destined for host1 that would be delivered. This guarantees that DNS is at least partially available (some authorized nodes can reach host1).

Using Batfish Reachability as a verification tool

Batfish’s reachability analysis performs an exhaustive search, considering every possible flow. This makes it a very powerful tool for finding bugs, and when no bugs are found, it provides strong guarantees about the network behavior. It allows you to verify essential network properties like availability or security (i.e., presence or absence of reachability). In the following examples shows we’ll use reachability to verify the intended availability and security properties of our DNS server.

Example 2: Verify that the DNS server is available everywhere inside AS2

To verify DNS is available inside of AS2, we search for flows that would demonstrate a lack of availability – i.e. DNS flows to host1 that would fail to be delivered. Our intent in this case is that no such flows should exist in the network, and this is where we see the power of exhaustive search. If Batfish does not find any dropped DNS flows to host1, we have verified availability.

[10]:
path = PathConstraints(startLocation="/as2/")
headers = HeaderConstraints(dstIps="host1", applications="DNS")
reach = bf.q.reachability(pathConstraints=path, headers=headers, actions="failure").answer().frame()
show(reach)
Flow Traces TraceCount

The fact that Batfish returned 0 flows guarantees that host1 is reachable via DNS from everywhere within AS2. This guarantees that DNS is available to all authorized nodes.

Example 3: No UDP traffic except DNS is accessible on host1

Next, let’s verify a security property: that no UDP traffic other than DNS will reach host1. We do this by searching for any UDP flows accepted by host1 that are not DNS:

[11]:
path = PathConstraints(startLocation="/as2/")
headers = HeaderConstraints(srcIps="0.0.0.0/0", dstIps="host1", ipProtocols="UDP", dstPorts="!53")
reach = bf.q.reachability(pathConstraints=path, headers=headers, actions="accepted").answer().frame()
show(reach)
Flow Traces TraceCount

Success! Since Batfish returned 0 flows, we are guaranteed that no unauthorized UDP flows will reach host1.

Example 4: Verify that the DNS server is not reachable from anywhere outside AS2

Next, let’s verify that no DNS traffic from outside of AS2 can reach host1. We can do this by searching for flows starting from the border interfaces (GigabitEthernet0/0 on AS2 border routers).

Details: We use the enter function to model that traffic is received on the interface rather than starting from a border router. If we did not relax source IP to 0.0.0.0/0, only source IP addresses within the connected subnet of the border interfaces would be included in the search.

[12]:
path = PathConstraints(startLocation="@enter(/as2border/[GigabitEthernet0/0])")
headers = HeaderConstraints(srcIps="0.0.0.0/0", dstIps="host1", applications="DNS")
reach = bf.q.reachability(pathConstraints=path, headers=headers, actions="success").answer().frame()
show(reach)
Flow Traces TraceCount
0 Start Location: as2border1 interface=GigabitEthernet0/0
Src IP: 10.0.0.0
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 53
IP Protocol: UDP
ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.11.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.11.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.11.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.12.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
3. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.12.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.22.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.12.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.21.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
3. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)
4
1 Start Location: as2border2 interface=GigabitEthernet0/0
Src IP: 10.0.0.0
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.128.0.101
Dst Port: 53
IP Protocol: UDP
ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.22.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.22.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.22.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as2core2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.21.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
3. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.21.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.11.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.101.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2border2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  PERMITTED(OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE (INGRESS_FILTER))
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.21.2, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.101.4),ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.12.3, Routes: [ibgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
3. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.34.201.4, Routes: [bgp (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: ip 2.34.201.4)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
4. node: as2dept1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0, Routes: [connected (Network: 2.128.0.0/24, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
5. node: host1
  RECEIVED(eth0)
  PERMITTED(filter::INPUT (INGRESS_FILTER))
  ACCEPTED(eth0)
4

We found that the DNS server is not secure: external DNS traffic can reach host1! However, we did find where to look: in all likelihood, the OUTSIDE_TO_INSIDE ACL on the border router should be blocking more DNS traffic.

Multipath Consistency: Verify consistent treatment of a flow across all paths

Finally, we will demonstrate an experimental feature to detect an important class of reachability bugs in any network with no user input: the multipathconsistency check. This question will report find flows with multipath routing where some paths reach the destination and some paths fail. Multipath inconsistencies are almost always bugs, and may be a sign that the network is not robust to failures.

In this example network there are mutiple multipath consistencies; for conciseness we show only the first result.

[13]:
multipath = bf.q.multipathConsistency().answer().frame()
first_result = multipath.head(1)  # this check returns many results, just show 1
show(first_result)
Flow Traces TraceCount
0 Start Location: as2core2
Src IP: 2.1.2.2
Src Port: 49152
Dst IP: 2.1.2.1
Dst Port: 23
IP Protocol: TCP (SYN)
ACCEPTED
1. node: as2core2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet0/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.22.1, Routes: [ospf (Network: 2.1.2.1/32, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip 2.12.22.1)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
2. node: as2border2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.21.2, Routes: [ospf (Network: 2.1.2.1/32, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0 ip 2.12.21.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
3. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  ACCEPTED(Loopback0)

ACCEPTED
1. node: as2core2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.12.1, Routes: [ospf (Network: 2.1.2.1/32, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet1/0 ip 2.12.12.1)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
2. node: as2border1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.12.11.2, Routes: [ospf (Network: 2.1.2.1/32, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet1/0 ip 2.12.11.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
3. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  ACCEPTED(Loopback0)

DENIED_IN
1. node: as2core2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet2/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.22.3, Routes: [ospf (Network: 2.1.2.1/32, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet2/0 ip 2.23.22.3)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
2. node: as2dist2
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet1/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.12.2, Routes: [ospf (Network: 2.1.2.1/32, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet1/0 ip 2.23.12.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
3. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
  DENIED(blocktelnet (INGRESS_FILTER))

DENIED_IN
1. node: as2core2
  ORIGINATED(default)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet3/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.21.3, Routes: [ospf (Network: 2.1.2.1/32, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet3/0 ip 2.23.21.3)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet3/0)
2. node: as2dist1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet1/0)
  FORWARDED(Forwarded out interface: GigabitEthernet0/0 with resolved next-hop IP: 2.23.11.2, Routes: [ospf (Network: 2.1.2.1/32, Next Hop: interface GigabitEthernet0/0 ip 2.23.11.2)])
  TRANSMITTED(GigabitEthernet0/0)
3. node: as2core1
  RECEIVED(GigabitEthernet2/0)
  DENIED(blocktelnet (INGRESS_FILTER))
4

The above trace shows that traffic from as2core2 to as2core1 can take four paths: through either of the two border routers or through either distribution router. However, telnet traffic will be blocked for only two of these four paths: the ones that traverse the distribution layer.

Wrap-up

This concludes the notebook. To recap, we covered the foundational tasks for path analysis:

  1. We performed a traceroute to check connectivity to host1

  2. Analyzed detailed path & hop information for the traceroute

  3. Explored a space of flows with the reachablity question and found an ACL bug that allows some external clients to reach the DNS server

  4. Perfomed a security check that ensures that only SSH and DNS traffic can reach host1

  5. Found multipath inconsistency in the network, for which only some paths result in successful communication

We hope you found this notebook useful and informative. Future notebooks will dive into more advanced topics ensuring planned configuration changes do not have unintended consequences. Stay tuned!

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