03 Nov IP Transit Security: Protect Your Network and BGP IP Blocks
In an increasingly connected world, the security of IP networks represents a top priority for companies and Internet service providers. IP Transit allows networks to route traffic to and from the Internet, but without adequate security measures, vulnerabilities can be exploited by sophisticated attacks such as route hijacking, IP spoofing, and DDoS.
What is IP Transit and why it is critical for network security
IP Transit is a service that allows a network to have full Internet connectivity through an upstream provider. In practice, traffic destined for any network can transit through your IP Transit provider. However, this routing convenience involves significant risks:
- Route hijacking vulnerability: an attacker can manipulate the BGP table and route traffic destined for your network to unauthorized servers.
- IP spoofing: falsification of IP addresses to bypass security filters.
- Advanced DDoS: attacks that saturate IP Transit lines causing downtime and data loss.
The role of BGP and routing policies in IP class protection
A key element in ensuring IP Transit network protection is a deep understanding of how the BGP routing protocol works and how it impacts IP Transit class security.
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the protocol that allows different autonomous systems (AS) to exchange routing information, enabling the identification of the best path to route traffic between complex networks. This capability is crucial because decisions made by routers directly affect the network’s resilience and IP class protection.
To achieve an optimal level of security, each router must be properly configured by applying precise routing policies that define which IP prefixes can be accepted or announced.
Correct BGP configurations help reduce the risk of attacks such as route hijacking or IP spoofing, which can seriously compromise service continuity. Moreover, data providing traffic information can be used to detect anomalies and prevent incorrect routing, ensuring that traffic always follows the correct AS path.
Security in IP Transit scenarios must be considered at a global level, as decisions made in a single AS can have effects on interconnected networks worldwide.
For this reason, the management and protection of IP classes require, in addition to advanced technical tools, the definition of clear rules based on industry best practices. These principles allow companies and providers to maintain a high protection standard, minimizing risks caused by misconfigurations or external attacks.
Monitoring and traffic analysis tools can be integrated to constantly oversee changes in BGP tables. These tools can be used to:
- Generate alerts in case of abnormal behavior
- Provide an additional layer of protection
- Ensure that IP classes are always routed securely and reliably
Implementing these measures improves network resilience and helps optimize performance, ensuring that traffic always reaches the best available path.
It is important to remember that IP Transit protection in BGP scenarios is not only about technology but also about internal governance and operational procedures. Establishing clear guidelines for configuration updates and announced prefix control helps drastically reduce the risk of human error, which is often the main cause of network incidents. This way, organizations can ensure:
- Safe and efficient network management
- Protection of their digital assets
- Protection of customer and end-user communications
Advanced security principles for IP Transit
To protect networks in BGP scenarios, it is essential to implement multilayered strategies:
1. BGP Prefix Filtering
Prefix filtering ensures that only authorized IP blocks can be announced to BGP peers:
- Configure filters based on AS-path and prefixes
- Block unauthorized announcements
- Regularly update the list of authorized prefixes
Example of a BGP filter table:
| IP Prefix | Origin AS | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 203.0.113.0/24 | 65001 | Accept |
| 198.51.100.0/24 | 65002 | Reject |
| 192.0.2.0/24 | 65003 | Accept |
2. Implementation of RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure)
RPKI allows IP prefixes to be digitally signed, preventing unauthorized BGP announcements:
- Increases trust among providers
- Reduces the risk of route hijacking
- Is compatible with almost all modern routers
3. Protection of BGP Routers
Routers represent the first point of vulnerability in IP Transit scenarios:
- Configure authenticated BGP sessions with MD5
- Limit prefix propagation to authorized ones
- Monitor abnormal traffic with NetFlow or sFlow tools
Best practices for IP class security
In addition to BGP security, it is essential to directly protect IP classes:
- Network segmentation: separate internal IP blocks from public ones
- Access Control Lists (ACL): filter inbound and outbound traffic per prefix
- Rate limiting: prevent IP Transit line saturation
- Advanced logging: track all BGP table changes
Defense against DDoS attacks in IP Transit
A DDoS attack can compromise service continuity. The main countermeasures include:
- Upstream mitigation: cooperate with your IP Transit provider to filter malicious traffic before it reaches your network
- Selective blackholing: isolate attacked prefixes without blocking the entire network
- Anycast routing: distribute traffic across multiple data centers to reduce the impact
Servereasy DDoS Protection for IP Transit
Since 2015, Servereasy has internally developed an Always-On DDoS protection system specifically designed to protect IP Transit services. The infrastructure, based on XDP technology with servers equipped with 100Gbit NICs in Load Balancing, offers:
- Mitigation capacity: up to 1.2 Tbps and 960 Mpps
- Included protection: DDoS mitigation integrated into IP Transit services at no additional cost
- Automatic detection: constant traffic monitoring with ultra-fast mitigation
- No limits: unlimited protection regardless of the volume or duration of the attack
- Routing-level pre-filtering: proprietary system that blocks attacks before they reach the client’s network
This protection operates across all network stack layers (Layer 3/4 and Layer 7), ensuring that IP Transit services remain available even during massive DDoS attacks.
Recommended tools and technologies
To effectively manage IP Transit security, several tools are available:
| Tool | Function | Protection Level |
|---|---|---|
| BGPmon | Monitoring prefixes and route hijacks | High |
| RPKI Validator | Signed prefix validation | High |
| NetFlow / sFlow | Traffic analysis and anomalies | Medium |
| Edge Firewalls | Inbound/outbound filtering | Medium |
| BGP FlowSpec | Dynamic traffic filtering via BGP | High |
Implementing a comprehensive security plan
An integrated approach includes:
- Initial audit: mapping all IP classes and BGP sessions
- Policy definition: creating filtering rules for prefixes and AS
- Automation: using scripts or software for RPKI and ACL updates
- Continuous monitoring: analyzing traffic, alerts, and logs
- Update and testing: simulating attacks to verify resilience
Why choose ServerEasy for your IP Transit?
ServerEasy is a fully Italian company with over 15 years of experience in networking, data center management, and DDoS protection. By handling the entire process — from server assembly to network design and maintenance — it guarantees high-performance, reliable, and scalable IP Transit services.
Servereasy IP Transit Features
ServerEasy’s carrier-class network offers fast and reliable connectivity with advanced technical features:
- Flexible bandwidth: guaranteed speeds from 1 Gbit to 100 Gbit per port
- Available ports: 10 GigE, 40 GigE, 100 GigE
- IPv4 and IPv6: dual-stack support at no additional cost, with IPv6 speed equivalent to line transmission capacity
- Global peerings: numerous direct connectivity relationships with major operators worldwide
- Carrier-class infrastructure: advanced routing with minimal delay and jitter
- Flexible pricing options: flat-rate, tiered, burstable, or aggregated across multiple ports and locations
Advanced BGP Features
- Custom BGP communities: ability to create specific BGP communities for tailored traffic engineering
- BGP FlowSpec: standard FlowSpec support on all routers for dynamic traffic filtering
- AS60798: RIPE-accredited Autonomous System for independent network management
- MiX Milan: membership at the Milan Internet Exchange for optimal connectivity
- Tier 1 Carriers: direct connections with GTT and Telecom Italia Sparkle
Servereasy ensures that traffic reaches its destination quickly and efficiently, with continuous network updates and sufficient capacity to handle sudden and unpredictable demand spikes, making ServerEasy a safe and strategic partner for companies and Internet service providers.
ServerEasy Answers:
What is BGP and why is it important for IP Transit?
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the protocol used to route traffic between different AS (Autonomous Systems). It is essential because it determines how data reaches every network on the Internet, ensuring global connectivity and efficient routing. Servereasy manages its own RIPE-accredited AS60798 for maximum control and flexibility.
What is route hijacking?
Route hijacking is an attack in which a malicious AS announces IP prefixes it does not own, diverting legitimate traffic to unauthorized paths. This can cause data loss, downtime, or interception. Servereasy’s DDoS protection includes BGP monitoring systems to detect and mitigate such attacks.
Is RPKI mandatory?
It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. Implementing RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure) allows validation of BGP prefixes and prevents hijack-type attacks, improving overall network security. Servereasy supports RPKI to ensure maximum security for IP Transit customers.
How can I prevent DDoS attacks on my IP Transit?
Servereasy provides an internally developed Always-On DDoS Protection system with mitigation capacity up to 1.2 Tbps and 960 Mpps. Protection is included with all IP Transit services and uses XDP technology with routing-level pre-filtering, ensuring operational continuity even during massive attacks.
Which tools monitor IP Transit security?
The main tools for monitoring and protecting IP Transit connections include BGPmon, RPKI Validator, NetFlow/sFlow analysis, BGP FlowSpec (supported on all Servereasy routers), and advanced edge firewalls, useful for detecting anomalies and preventing intrusions.
Does Servereasy support IPv6 for IP Transit?
Yes. Servereasy offers dual-stack IPv4 and IPv6 support at no additional cost. The dual-stack network is implemented on a carrier-class optical and routing infrastructure, with IPv6 speeds equivalent to the line transmission capacity, available transparently alongside IPv4 services.
What bandwidth options does Servereasy offer for IP Transit?
Servereasy offers guaranteed speeds from 1 Gbit to 100 Gbit per port, with available 10 GigE, 40 GigE, and 100 GigE ports. Pricing options include flat-rate, tiered, burstable (to temporarily exceed the contracted speed), or aggregated bandwidth shared across multiple ports and locations for maximum flexibility.
