Introduction

Cumulus Linux is powerful, open network operating system that brings the benefits of Linux to networking. One of its key features is the support for Virtual Routing Functions (VRFs), which allow you to create isolated routing instances on a single device. In this hands-on guide, we will explore the concept of Virtual Routing Functions in Cumulus Linux and walk through the process of setting up and configuring VRFs.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

1. A device running Cumulus Linux.
2. Basic knowledge of Linux networking concepts.
3. SSH access to your Cumulus device.

Setting Up Virtual Routing Functions

Step 1: Connect to your Cumulus device Use your preferred SSH client to connect to your Cumulus device. Make sure you have the necessary credentials to log in.

ssh cumulus@your_device_ip

Step 2: Check existing VRFs Run the following command to check if there are any existing Virtual Routing Functions on your device:

net show vrf

This command will display information about the existing VRFs, if any.

Step 3: Create a new VRF To create a new VRF, use the following command:

net add vrf <vrf_name>

Replace <vrf_name> with a meaningful name for your VRF.

Step 4: Assign interfaces to the VRF Next, you need to assign interfaces to the newly created VRF. Use the following command:

net add interface <interface_name> vrf <vrf_name>

Replace <interface_name> with the name of the interface you want to assign to the VRF, and <vrf_name> with the name of the VRF you created.

Step 5: Configure routing within the VRF Now that you have set up the VRF and assigned interfaces, you can configure routing within the VRF. Use standard Linux networking commands to set up routes, add IP addresses, and configure any other routing parameters within the VRF.

Step 6: Verify the configuration To ensure that your VRF configuration is applied correctly, run the following command:

net pending

This command shows the pending changes. If everything looks correct, apply the changes using:

net commit

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully set up and configured Virtual Routing Functions in Cumulus Linux. VRFs provide a powerful way to create isolated routing instances, making Cumulus Linux a versatile choice for various networking scenarios. Experiment with different configurations and explore the full potential of VRFs in your network infrastructure.