Yesterday, we completed the router migration! We transitioned from a router running Debian on a VM to a router running FreeBSD on a dedicated server. The new server features ten 10 Gbit ports, and we’ve set up MLAG on multiple interfaces to multiple switches for redundancy. With this upgrade, rylx was able to add another node to the VM cluster, enabling seamless VM migrations between nodes.

Additionally, we successfully established peering with the SIX route servers, as mentioned in our Seattle IX Update.

Well, it’s been almost two months since we first mentioned we would be joining SIX, but we’ve finally made some progress! Just to be clear, the delay was with us, not SIX; they have been fantastic. We are now officially a member, and we have the IP configured on our new router.

We’re still planning on moving to the router on 2024-12-21. We don’t yet have a plan on how to accomplish this with minimal downtime, but we’re working on it.

I’ve installed FreeBSD on the hardware and am working on it as time allows. I plan to switch from the VM router to the hardware router on the weekend of 2024-12-21. This timeline gives me enough time to complete the configuration and ensure everything works smoothly. I chose FreeBSD for its stability, but I want to confirm it’s the right choice before making the transition.

The remote hands at the data center installed the new NICs on Friday. I was hoping iDRAC would be configured with DHCP so it would get an IP, but that wasn’t the case. Fortunately, the remote hands updated the DHCP setting for me. After that, I was able to remote in and install FreeBSD.

Next, I need to set up some MLAG ports on the switch and prepare to migrate from the VM router to this router. I have OOB access to it, which will help prevent me from getting locked out since I manage the network remotely.

The second phase of our update is complete. We’ve accomplished the following items:

• Upgraded the switches’ firmware
• Established MLAG between the two switches
• Added independent transit to both switches
• Set up the XC for most of our IX
• Configured all the VLANs

While we have achieved a lot, there is still work to do:

• Configure the R630 as a router running FreeBSD and BIRD
• Plan the migration from a VM router to the new router
• Purchase another server to run Proxmox so we can provide high availability

Migration

We migrated our servers to our very own cabinet inside 1530 Swift!

Having our own cabinet required us to purchase some switches, so we picked up a few Arista switches: two 7050SX and one 7010T for OOB.

The migration went surprisingly well. We did some preparation before the server was moved, and when it was powered on, everything came back online.

Our connections to the exchanges haven’t been restored yet, as they’re still running the required cross-connects.

We ordered some new hardware for our core router in Kansas City, MO. This new router will increase stability, security, and performance.

After we get our new router installed, we will be joining the Seattle IX via the NOCIX extension.

We have officially joined ONIX and NVIX! Both exchanges peer us with some really great networks. We’re excited to be a member of both as we watch them grow.

We have a special offer for our peers! You can get 20% off of your xlog subscription FOREVER. All you have to do is use the AS46733 coupon code. This code will work with any plan and any billing frequency. Keep your logs as long as you want without breaking the bank!

They ran our cross-connect today and we’re now active at MICE!