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Building a Robust Enterprise Network Requires Planning for Contingencies.
One key tool network administrators can leverage is the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). In order to participate in the global Internet routing world, the price of entry is an Autonomous System Number or ASN. Here’s how you can get one:
- Go to arin.net and create an ARIN online account. This is your personal account, so use your own email address and password.
- Next, you need to create one or more Point(s) of Contact (POC). These are “role” accounts used for ARIN to interact with roles within an organization. An example is the Abuse account where other admins should direct queries related to abuse of network resources originating or affecting your network. Make these role accounts in your email directory as well so that they can remain flexible.
- Third, you will want to create an ARIN Organization (Org ID). This will represent your company or legal entity. This Org ID will in turn link to the POC records you created in step 2 above.
- Now you have the basic records set up in ARIN are you are ready to begin the Autonomous Systems Number application process. First, do you have signed contracts with two distinct network providers (ISPs)? If so, good. Gather up all the paperwork from your network providers. If not, hold up, consider if you need an ASN at all. Without two providers, there is little need for you to run BGP. As such, you will have a harder time getting help from ARIN.
- With all your paperwork in order, login to your ARIN account and select “Request Resources.’ Navigate to: https://www.arin.net/resources/request/asn.html and review the requirements. You will be following section for Multi-Homed so you’ll need:
a. the exterior gateway protocol to be used: BGP
b. the IP addresses currently in use on your network. List *every* IP number you currently use. Web servers, mail servers, office gateways, whatever you can come up with.
c. provide verification (use the signed contracts you gathered in step 4 above). List your providers AS numbers.
d. If this is a secondary autonomous systems for your organization, you’ll need to provide additional details as to why you need a new number. - ARIN will issue you a ticket number to track your application. Once this is approved you need to pay the registration fee. ARIN charges $500 USD to register each AS number. You will see an additional fee if you obtain IPv4 address space from ARIN as well.
- Complete and sign the Registration Services Agreement (RSA) linked here:
https://www.arin.net/resources/agreements/rsa.pdf - Assignment. ARIN will designate your new ASN and you are ready to go forth into the
world of BGP.
At Mosaic NetworX, we deliver solutions with unprecedented care. For more information about autonomous systems and establishing your own Autonomous System Number, contact Mosaic NetworX online or talk to a person at 1-800-688-3770 today!
“Mosaic helped us get the best priced deal on an aggregate commit, while still keeping some flexibility in our carrier contracts, which was important to us. When we switched from static routing to using BGP, the Mosaic team was helpful at all stages of the process, and the migration went very smoothly. Mosaic has a helpful and technically proficient staff, and I have always had positive and technical communications with them. I highly recommend them.”
“Mosaic NetworX helped us navigate the murky world of data center network providers. We were able to negotiate one deal for two carriers and get a great rate in the process. When it came time to upgrade our connections for higher speeds, Mosaic was there to help us once again. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help our company accomplish its goals.”