A Dedicated RPSL Interface Identifier for Operational TestingJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab11100 Johns Hopkins RoadLaurelMD20723-6099USbrian@innovationslab.net+1 443 778 1319IETFThe deployment of new IP connectivity typically results in
intermittent reachability for numerous reasons which are outside the
scope of this document. In order to aid in
the debugging of these persistent problems, this document proposes the
creation of a new Routing Policy Specification Language attribute that
allows a network to advertise an IP address which is reachable and can
be used as a target for diagnostic tests (e.g., pings).The deployment of new IP connectivity typically results in
intermittent reachability for numerous reasons which are outside the
scope of this document. In order to aid in
the debugging of these persistent problems, this document proposes the
creation of a new Routing Policy Specification Language attribute that allows a network to advertise an IP
address which is reachable and can be used as a target for diagnostic
tests (e.g., pings).The goal of this diagnostic address is to provide operators a means
to advertise selected hosts that can be targets of tests for such common
issues as reachability and Path MTU discovery.The capitalized key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL",
"SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and
"OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in .Network operators wishing to provide a diagnostic address for its
peers, customers, etc. can advertise its existence via the Routing
Policy Specification Language . The pingable attribute is a member of the route
and route6 objects in the RPSL. The pingable attribute has the following
characteristics:AttributeValueTypepingable<ipv6-address> or <ipv4-address>mandatory, multi-valuedping-hdl<nic-handle>mandatory, multi-valuedThe pingable attribute allows a network operator to advertise an IP address
of a node which should be reachable from outside networks. This node can be
used as a destination address for diagnostic tests. The ping-hdl provides a link to
contact information for an entity capable of responding to queries concerning the specified
IP address. An example of using the
pingable attribute is shown in .The presence of one or more pingable attributes signals to network
operators that the maintainer of the referenced network is providing the
address(es) for external diagnostic testing. Tests involving the
advertised address(es) SHOULD be rate limited to no more than ten probes in a
five minute window unless prior arrangements are made with the maintainer of
the attribute.None.Randy Bush and David Farmer provided the original concept for the pingable
attribute and useful comments on preliminary versions of this draft. Joe Abley
provided comments that justified moving the attribute to the route/route6 object and
the inclusion of a point of contact. Larry Blunk provided useful comments to
improve the document.