Defining the network topology

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 13 views

Introduction

Mikrotik's RouterOS has recently added support for the Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS) routing protocol. This significant update has opened up new possibilities for network administrators and engineers to leverage the benefits of IS-IS in their network designs. In this article, we will delve into the world of IS-IS support in RouterOS, exploring its features, configuration, and implementation.

What is IS-IS?

IS-IS (Intermediate System to Intermediate System) is a widely used routing protocol that operates at the network layer of the OSI model. It is designed to be a link-state routing protocol, which means that each router maintains a database of the network topology and uses this information to calculate the best path to each destination. IS-IS is known for its scalability, flexibility, and ability to handle large, complex networks.

Benefits of IS-IS in RouterOS

The addition of IS-IS support in RouterOS brings several benefits to network administrators and engineers. Some of the key advantages include:

Scalability: IS-IS is designed to handle large, complex networks, making it an ideal choice for enterprise and service provider networks.
Flexibility: IS-IS supports a wide range of network topologies, including point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and broadcast networks.
High availability: IS-IS uses a link-state database to calculate the best path to each destination, ensuring that network traffic is always routed through the most efficient path.
Easy configuration: IS-IS configuration is relatively simple, with a focus on setting up the network topology and defining the routing protocol parameters.

Configuring IS-IS in RouterOS

Configuring IS-IS in RouterOS involves several steps, including:

Enabling IS-IS: To enable IS-IS on a RouterOS device, navigate to the "Routing" tab and select "IS-IS" from the protocol list. Click the "Enable" button to activate IS-IS.
Defining the network topology: Define the network topology by creating a network map and assigning IP addresses to each router.
Setting up the IS-IS parameters: Configure the IS-IS parameters, including the IS-IS ID, netmask, and metric.
Verifying the IS-IS configuration: Verify the IS-IS configuration by checking the "IS-IS" tab and ensuring that the network topology is correctly displayed.

Implementing IS-IS in RouterOS

Implementing IS-IS in RouterOS involves several key steps, including:

Installing the IS-IS package: Install the IS-IS package on the RouterOS device by navigating to the "System" tab and selecting "Packages" from the menu.
Configuring the IS-IS parameters: Configure the IS-IS parameters, including the IS-IS ID, netmask, and metric.
Defining the network topology: Define the network topology by creating a network map and assigning IP addresses to each router.
Verifying the IS-IS configuration: Verify the IS-IS configuration by checking the "IS-IS" tab and ensuring that the network topology is correctly displayed.

API Support for IS-IS

The RouterOS API provides support for IS-IS, allowing network administrators and engineers to automate IS-IS configuration and management tasks. The API provides a range of functions for working with IS-IS, including:

is-is-enable: Enables IS-IS on a RouterOS device.
is-is-disable: Disables IS-IS on a RouterOS device.
is-is-set: Sets the IS-IS parameters, including the IS-IS ID, netmask, and metric.
is-is-get: Retrieves the IS-IS configuration and network topology.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the addition of IS-IS support in RouterOS has opened up new possibilities for network administrators and engineers to leverage the benefits of IS-IS in their network designs. With its scalability, flexibility, and high availability features, IS-IS is an ideal choice for enterprise and service provider networks. By following the steps outlined in this article, network administrators and engineers can easily configure and implement IS-IS in RouterOS, taking advantage of the many benefits it offers.

Additional Resources

For more information on IS-IS support in RouterOS, please refer to the following resources:

Mikrotik IS-IS Documentation: The official Mikrotik documentation for IS-IS provides detailed information on configuring and implementing IS-IS in RouterOS.
RouterOS API Documentation: The RouterOS API documentation provides detailed information on using the API to automate IS-IS configuration and management tasks.
IS-IS Community Forum: The IS-IS community forum provides a platform for network administrators and engineers to discuss IS-IS-related topics and share knowledge and best practices.
IS-IS Support in RouterOS: A Q&A Guide =============================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the world of IS-IS support in RouterOS, covering its features, configuration, and implementation. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about IS-IS support in RouterOS, providing a comprehensive Q&A guide for network administrators and engineers.

Q: What is IS-IS, and how does it differ from other routing protocols?

A: IS-IS (Intermediate System to Intermediate System) is a widely used routing protocol that operates at the network layer of the OSI model. It is designed to be a link-state routing protocol, which means that each router maintains a database of the network topology and uses this information to calculate the best path to each destination. IS-IS differs from other routing protocols, such as OSPF and EIGRP, in its ability to handle large, complex networks and its high availability features.

Q: What are the benefits of using IS-IS in RouterOS?

A: The benefits of using IS-IS in RouterOS include:

Scalability: IS-IS is designed to handle large, complex networks, making it an ideal choice for enterprise and service provider networks.
Flexibility: IS-IS supports a wide range of network topologies, including point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and broadcast networks.
High availability: IS-IS uses a link-state database to calculate the best path to each destination, ensuring that network traffic is always routed through the most efficient path.
Easy configuration: IS-IS configuration is relatively simple, with a focus on setting up the network topology and defining the routing protocol parameters.

Q: How do I configure IS-IS in RouterOS?

A: To configure IS-IS in RouterOS, follow these steps:

Enable IS-IS: To enable IS-IS on a RouterOS device, navigate to the "Routing" tab and select "IS-IS" from the protocol list. Click the "Enable" button to activate IS-IS.
Define the network topology: Define the network topology by creating a network map and assigning IP addresses to each router.
Set up the IS-IS parameters: Configure the IS-IS parameters, including the IS-IS ID, netmask, and metric.
Verify the IS-IS configuration: Verify the IS-IS configuration by checking the "IS-IS" tab and ensuring that the network topology is correctly displayed.

Q: What are the IS-IS parameters, and how do I set them up?

A: The IS-IS parameters include:

IS-IS ID: The IS-IS ID is a unique identifier for each router in the network.
Netmask: The netmask is used to define the network topology and determine which routers are part of the network.
Metric: The metric is used to determine the best path to each destination.

To set up the IS-IS parameters, navigate to the "IS-IS" tab and click on the "Edit" button. Enter the IS-IS ID, netmask, and metric values, and click "Apply" to save the changes.

Q: How do I verify the IS-IS configuration?

A: To verify the IS-IS configuration, navigate to the "IS-IS" tab and check the network topology display. Ensure that the network topology is correctly displayed and that the IS-IS parameters are set up correctly.

Q: What are the API functions for IS-IS, and how do I use them?

A: The RouterOS API provides a range of functions for working with IS-IS, including:

is-is-enable: Enables IS-IS on a RouterOS device.
is-is-disable: Disables IS-IS on a RouterOS device.
is-is-set: Sets the IS-IS parameters, including the IS-IS ID, netmask, and metric.
is-is-get: Retrieves the IS-IS configuration and network topology.

To use the API functions, navigate to the "API" tab and select the "IS-IS" function. Enter the required parameters and click "Apply" to execute the function.

Q: What are the best practices for implementing IS-IS in RouterOS?

A: The best practices for implementing IS-IS in RouterOS include:

Use a consistent naming convention: Use a consistent naming convention for IS-IS IDs, netmasks, and metrics to ensure that the network topology is correctly displayed.
Verify the IS-IS configuration: Verify the IS-IS configuration regularly to ensure that the network topology is correctly displayed and that the IS-IS parameters are set up correctly.
Use the API functions: Use the API functions to automate IS-IS configuration and management tasks.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that your IS-IS implementation in RouterOS is efficient, scalable, and easy to manage.