by Dennis Burgess

Simplify FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC) with TowerCoverage

Broadband Data Collection (BDC) has become a critical responsibility for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to accurately represent their coverage data to the FCC. Ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely submission can be a challenging and time-consuming task for many ISPs. Fortunately, TowerCoverage provides a streamlined and cost-effective solution, including their "File on Behalf Of" (FOBO) service, to simplify your BDC process.

How TowerCoverage Makes BDC Easy for ISPs

TowerCoverage offers specialized tools and services, including FOBO, that simplify the entire BDC reporting and submission process:

Accurate BDC Data Collection

TowerCoverage enables ISPs to effortlessly generate accurate, comprehensive BDC coverage data:

• Quickly generate precise Broadband Data Collection maps.

• Effortlessly manage multi-map submissions, including fiber and wireless coverage.

Learn more: BDC Coverage Data Collection

Simplified FCC Uploads with FOBO

TowerCoverage’s FOBO (File on Behalf Of) service makes uploading to the FCC even easier:

• Automatically format and prepare your coverage data for FCC submission.

• TowerCoverage can upload and file your BDC data directly to the FCC portal on your behalf, saving time and ensuring accuracy.

Learn more: FOBO - Filing on Behalf Of

Certification and Professional Engineer (PE) Certification

Ensuring your data meets FCC compliance standards is essential. TowerCoverage offers straightforward certification services:

• Standard certification: $250 per multi-map.

• Optional certification with a Professional Engineer (PE): $500. -- Note the FCC DOES NOT REQUIRE THIS ANYMORE!

Learn more: BDC Certification and PE Certification

Affordable Pricing

TowerCoverage provides cost-effective BDC solutions tailored specifically for ISPs:

• $250 per multi-map (can include fiber coverage).

• Certification (standard): $250.

• Certification (with PE): $500.

• FOBO (File on Behalf Of) Services: $400

By offering these services at competitive rates, TowerCoverage ensures compliance without breaking your budget.

Why Choose TowerCoverage?

• Cost-Effective: Competitive pricing makes compliance affordable.

• Efficient: Reduce time spent preparing and submitting BDC data through FOBO.

• Reliable: Accurate and FCC-compliant submissions to ensure peace of mind.

Simplify your Broadband Data Collection process today by leveraging the specialized FOBO tools and services provided by TowerCoverage.

For detailed instructions, visit: TowerCoverage Wiki

by Dennis Burgess

Bridging the Gap: VXLAN's Point-to-Multipoint Advantage for ISPs

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) continuously strive to deliver faster, more reliable, and scalable networks to meet growing customer demands. One significant challenge is navigating the space between traditional Layer 2 bridging and advanced Layer 3 routing, commonly referred to as "Layer 2.5." VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN), standardized in RFC 7348, offers an innovative solution that bridges this critical gap, particularly due to its powerful point-to-multipoint nature.

Why VXLAN Matters to ISPs

Historically, ISPs have wrestled with extending Layer 2 segments across geographically dispersed sites without facing the scalability limitations of traditional Ethernet bridging. While Layer 3 solutions such as MPLS offer robust scalability, they often come with increased complexity and cost. VXLAN, however, strikes an optimal balance by encapsulating Layer 2 frames within Layer 3 packets, thus delivering the simplicity of Ethernet alongside the reachability and scalability of Layer 3 IP networks.

VXLAN inherently operates in a point-to-multipoint fashion, meaning a single VXLAN Tunnel Endpoint (VTEP) can communicate efficiently with multiple remote VTEPs without the cumbersome configuration typically required in fully meshed Layer 2 networks. This makes VXLAN exceptionally suitable for ISPs needing flexible, scalable network designs.

VXLAN and MikroTik: A Winning Combination

MikroTik has embraced VXLAN technology, integrating robust VXLAN support directly into RouterOS since version 7.x. MikroTik routers provide ISPs with straightforward, cost-effective solutions to deploy VXLAN across their networks, combining high performance with affordability.

Several reasons make MikroTik's implementation appealing to ISPs:

• Easy Configuration: RouterOS simplifies VXLAN deployment, making it accessible to network operators without extensive training or expensive equipment.

• Cost Efficiency: MikroTik hardware delivers robust VXLAN capabilities without the hefty price tag associated with larger enterprise-grade hardware vendors.

• Flexibility and Scalability: MikroTik’s VXLAN implementation supports extensive network expansion with minimal complexity, leveraging RouterOS’s intuitive management and scripting capabilities.

Closing the Gap between Layer 2.5 and Layer 3

By implementing VXLAN, ISPs can achieve:

1. Scalable Layer 2 Segments: Efficiently extend broadcast domains over Layer 3 networks without facing traditional spanning-tree limitations.

2. Simplified Network Management: Reduce complexity by minimizing manual configurations typically associated with maintaining large-scale Layer 2 networks.

3. Improved Customer Offerings: Rapidly provision segmented services such as VLANs, improving customer isolation and service flexibility.

What's Next for VXLAN on MikroTik?

MikroTik continues to enhance its VXLAN support, understanding the growing needs of ISPs. Several exciting features are anticipated in upcoming RouterOS releases:

• Enhanced EVPN Integration: Expect deeper integration of Ethernet VPN (EVPN), providing dynamic, robust control-plane capabilities alongside VXLAN.

• Improved Hardware Acceleration: MikroTik plans to expand VXLAN hardware offloading capabilities to even more router models, significantly boosting throughput and reducing latency.

• Advanced Multicast Handling: Enhanced support for multicast over VXLAN, critical for efficient, large-scale distribution of IPTV and similar multicast-dependent services.

Standardization and Reliability

VXLAN's strength lies in its standardized nature. Adhering to RFC 7348 ensures interoperability, vendor neutrality, and consistent performance. ISPs implementing MikroTik’s VXLAN solutions benefit directly from ongoing community input and globally recognized standards.

Conclusion

The evolution of VXLAN on MikroTik’s RouterOS represents a significant leap forward for ISPs seeking to blend the simplicity of Layer 2 with the scalability of Layer 3. As MikroTik expands its feature set and continues to embrace standardized protocols, ISPs have a valuable tool for modernizing their network infrastructure—delivering the agility, scalability, and reliability demanded in today's highly competitive market.

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Link Technologies, Inc. offers hardware and consluting services to help you with virtually any MiroTik or RouterOS configuration.  Contact sales@linktechs.net or call 314-735-0270 to find out more information.

by Dennis Burgess

On July 14, 2025, Cloudflare experienced a significant outage impacting its widely-used global DNS resolver, 1.1.1.1. This incident underscores a critical vulnerability faced by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) relying exclusively on global DNS resolvers.

Global DNS resolvers like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1, Google’s 8.8.8.8, and Quad9's 9.9.9.9 have become popular choices due to their speed, security, and ease of configuration. However, the Cloudflare incident highlights the substantial risks involved in basing critical infrastructure entirely on external services beyond the direct influence of the ISP.

When ISPs depend solely on these global resolvers, they relinquish control over their DNS infrastructure to third parties. During the Cloudflare outage, ISPs using 1.1.1.1 had no power to expedite resolution or even receive timely communication about the ongoing issues. This lack of direct influence not only left ISPs in the dark but also prevented them from proactively communicating clear information to their customers.

Running a local DNS resolver provides ISPs with critical autonomy and influence. Local resolvers enable ISPs to:

1. Quickly identify and mitigate issues internally, providing real-time solutions rather than awaiting third-party responses.

2. Directly communicate with customers regarding outages, improving transparency and reducing confusion.

3. Implement customized DNS policies tailored to their network performance, security, and customer needs.

4. Reduce dependency on a single point of failure inherent in global DNS resolvers.

The July 14 Cloudflare incident is a powerful lesson: while global resolvers offer benefits, exclusive reliance exposes ISPs to unnecessary risk and reduced operational control. ISPs committed to robust service availability and customer satisfaction must seriously consider operating their own DNS infrastructure to maintain independence and reliability. This proactive approach not only improves service resilience but also enhances customer trust and satisfaction in the face of unforeseen global outages.

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Link Technologies, Inc offers Servers and the know-how to implement DNS servers correctly, redundantly, quickly, and cost effectively.  Contact sales@linktechs.net for more information about the services and hardware we offer! 

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https://blog.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-1-1-1-1-incident-on-july-14-2025/ 

https://help.bdc.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/arties/10419121200923-How-Entities-Can-Access-the-Location-Fabric
Support@TowerCover age.com

MikroTik's RouterOS 7 has introduced a host of new features and improvements to its Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) implementation. As a key component for managing routing in complex networks, BGP in RouterOS 7 has become more robust, scalable, and flexible, making it an excellent choice for network engineers. This article delves into the key BGP features and enhancements in RouterOS 7, shedding light on how they can empower network administrators.

1. Multipath Routing

One of the standout features of BGP in RouterOS 7 is multipath routing. This allows the router to use multiple paths to the same destination, enabling load balancing and redundancy. By distributing traffic across several links, networks can achieve better utilization of bandwidth and improve fault tolerance.

• Key Benefits:
• Enhanced load balancing.
• Improved reliability through redundancy.

2. BGP Communities and Large Communities

RouterOS 7 has expanded its support for BGP communities, including the addition of large communities. This enhancement allows more granular policy control and simplifies route management in large-scale networks.

• BGP Communities:
• Enable tagging of routes for policy-based routing decisions.
• Useful for controlling how routes are advertised or accepted.
• Large Communities:
• Provide a 96-bit identifier for more flexible and scalable tagging.
• Essential for large networks with complex policies.

3. Routing Filters 2.0

RouterOS 7 introduces a revamped routing filter system, enabling more efficient and precise control over route import and export processes. This new system is more powerful and user-friendly compared to its predecessor.

• Features:
• Advanced matching rules for attributes like AS_PATH, communities, and prefixes.
• Improved syntax for defining filters, making configurations easier to manage.

4. Multiprotocol BGP (MP-BGP)

Multiprotocol BGP is now supported in RouterOS 7, allowing BGP to carry routing information for multiple network layer protocols, such as IPv4 and IPv6.

• Use Cases:
• Dual-stack networks that need both IPv4 and IPv6 routing.
• VPN implementations and MPLS networks.

5. Route Reflector Improvements

The implementation of BGP route reflectors in RouterOS 7 has been enhanced, making it easier to manage large-scale BGP networks without the need for a full mesh topology.

• Advantages:
• Reduces the number of BGP sessions required in the network.
• Simplifies configuration and maintenance of large networks.

6. BGP Confederations

Support for BGP confederations allows large networks to be divided into smaller, manageable sub-autonomous systems (sub-AS), reducing the complexity of configurations and improving scalability.

• Benefits:
• Simplifies policy management within large networks.
• Reduces overhead in maintaining interconnections between sub-AS components.

7. Graceful Restart and BGP Session Resiliency

RouterOS 7 incorporates support for Graceful Restart, ensuring that BGP sessions can recover from interruptions without significant disruption to routing.

• Features:
• Minimized impact during router restarts or software upgrades.
• Improved session stability in dynamic network environments.

8. Enhanced Performance and Scalability

RouterOS 7's BGP implementation is designed to handle larger routing tables and more complex topologies, making it suitable for modern networks with extensive routing requirements.

• Key Improvements:
• Faster convergence times.
• Better performance in high-density network environments.

9. EVPN (Ethernet VPN) Support

RouterOS 7 has started to integrate support for EVPN, enabling more advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPN services over BGP.

• Applications:
• Data center interconnects.
• Multi-site enterprise networks with seamless Layer 2 extensions.

10. BGP Monitoring and Debugging Tools

Enhanced monitoring and debugging tools in RouterOS 7 make it easier to diagnose and troubleshoot BGP-related issues. Administrators have access to more detailed logs and metrics for proactive management.

• Tools:
• Real-time session monitoring.
• Detailed route and attribute inspection.

Conclusion

The advancements in BGP within MikroTik’s RouterOS 7 signify a major step forward in routing capabilities. From improved scalability and flexibility to better performance and new features like MP-BGP and EVPN, RouterOS 7 equips network administrators with the tools they need to build and manage sophisticated networks.

Whether you’re managing a small ISP or a large enterprise network, these enhancements make RouterOS 7 an excellent platform for deploying and optimizing BGP. With its focus on scalability, redundancy, and ease of use, RouterOS 7 solidifies its place as a robust solution for modern networking challenges.

My name is Dennis Burgess, Chief Technology Officer at Link Technologies, Inc. Since 2006, I’ve been designing networks, solving complex challenges, and helping ISPs do more with less. Before that, I worked as a consultant for various industries, including Harley-Davidson dealerships, Yamaha, law firms, manufacturers, and real estate offices. With over 23 years of experience in everything from leading teams to pulling CAT5 cable, I’ve seen it all.

Why Network Monitoring is Crucial

Most ISPs should deploy at least four monitoring systems. Why? Let’s break it down.

Network monitoring isn't just for your benefit—it directly impacts the quality of service for your customers as well. It should be the lifeblood of your ISP. Let me explain why.

1. A Network Overview System

This system offers a single-pane overview of your network. At Link Technologies, we often use MikroTik’s The Dude, which scales well for most ISPs. While it’s not designed to monitor every customer device, it’s excellent for giving a high-level view—like whether a tower site is up or down. For example:

• Monitor the loopback of each router or switch at your POP locations.
• Use visual maps to logically document your network, including routing paths.

The Dude provides bandwidth stats and clear red/green indicators for site reachability. It’s a must-have tool for mapping and understanding your network topology.

2. A Comprehensive Monitoring System

This is your primary tool for detailed device and network monitoring. We use Zabbix, but there are plenty of alternatives. These systems excel at:

• Monitoring tens of thousands of data points via SNMP or other protocols.
• Storing historical data like signal strength, bandwidth, and light levels for fiber.

This system allows you to:

• Integrate with your helpdesk to automate ticket generation for problems.
• Set alerts for critical issues, like low signal strength or degraded bandwidth.
• Automate troubleshooting actions, such as rebooting devices or restarting services.

For ISPs, this is the go-to system for deep dives into performance metrics and troubleshooting.

3. External Internet Monitoring

This system monitors your network’s reachability from an internet perspective. Use services with global vantage points to detect outages or prefix issues. This type of monitoring is vital for:

• Critical alerts: When something major like a prefix drops, you need to know immediately.
• Status pages: Many services offer customizable pages (e.g., status.yourcompany.com) where customers can check site statuses.

Having a public status page reduces customer support calls. Train customers to check the page for real-time updates, such as tower site outages. Some ISPs even provide fridge magnets with customer-specific info, like their tower name and status page link.

4. BGP Monitoring

If you have multiple upstreams, a BGP monitor like bgp.tools is invaluable. It helps:

• Detect when prefixes aren’t being advertised properly.
• Identify issues that don’t cause outright BGP session drops but impact redundancy.

For example, if one upstream stops announcing your prefixes, this system alerts you immediately, preventing extended downtime or service degradation.

Summary

Every ISP should implement at least the first three monitoring systems, and if you utilize BGP, the fourth becomes essential. These systems work together to:

• Provide a clear network overview.
• Detect and resolve issues quickly.
• Improve customer experience with transparent status updates.
• Ensure robust redundancy and reliability.

Investing in comprehensive monitoring not only safeguards your network but also enhances customer satisfaction and trust. After all, a well-monitored network is a reliable network.