Netnod Supports OpenBGPD Development for Enhanced Internet Routing

Netnod, a Swedish internet exchange point operator, is supporting the development of the OpenBGPD routing software through the Route Server Support Foundation (RSSF). RSSF is a Dutch non-profit organization focused on enhancing the quality and security of the global internet routing system by funding developers for infrastructure projects.

Over the past year, RSSF has made significant improvements to the OpenBGPD project, part of the OpenBSD initiative. The development aims to create a free, secure, and reliable BGP-4 implementation suitable for high-volume traffic. A key enhancement addresses the issue of "path hiding" by increasing the number of available routes via BGP routers, improving visibility for route server clients.

Furthermore, OpenBGPD now actively supports the negation of AS_SET segments within the BGP AS_PATH attribute, strengthening the security posture of the global internet routing system. The "Send Hold Timer" feature has also been implemented to detect and manage message pipeline issues, reducing the potential for traffic blackholing.

Regarding RPKI security, OpenBGPD has integrated with the RPKI-To-Router (RTR) protocol, simplifying management in large-scale deployments. The software also respects the transitive expiration of RPKI Validated ROA Payloads, enhancing the stability at the intersection of routing and RPKI technology and mitigating deployment risks.

For 2022, RSSF plans a deeper integration between the RPKI cryptographic plane and the BGP-4 routing protocol. The goal is to maintain high performance and security, while expanding staff to improve readiness for internet routing system emergencies.