Advanced OSPF Configuration for WISP Highsites on MikroTik Routers

WISPs often grapple with the challenge of maintaining seamless connectivity across multiple high sites. Especially when customers connect using PPPoE with IP addresses assigned from a central RADIUS server.

A well-structured network not only ensures reliable service delivery but also simplifies management tasks.

This guide dives deep into setting up OSPF on MikroTik routers for WISPs operating five high sites, emphasizing an advanced configuration approach inspired by OSPF examples from MikroTik's documentation.

We will clarify the OSPF setup, including IP addressing for point-to-point (PTP) links, ensuring no NAT is used, and addressing potential challenges with OSPF in RF interference-heavy environments.

Understanding OSPF Configuration for WISP Networks

OSPF, being a dynamic routing protocol, is pivotal for WISPs due to its ability to efficiently manage and update routing tables in real-time, adapting to network topology changes. Properly configuring OSPF can significantly enhance network performance and reliability.

For PTP links, a /29 subnet offers four usable IP addresses, which perfectly suits the requirements of a PTP connection and allows for straightforward OSPF configuration. Here's an example allocation for a PTP link between Highsite 1 and Highsite 2:

  • Highsite 1 & 2 Subnet: 10.0.0.0/29
    • MikroTik Router (Highsite 1): 10.0.0.1
    • Highsite 1 PTP Radio: 10.0.0.2
    • Highsite 2 PTP Radio: 10.0.0.3
    • MikroTik Router (Highsite 2): 10.0.0.4

This configuration ensures that each device in the link has a unique IP address, facilitating clear and efficient OSPF routing.

MikroTik OSPF Configuration Steps

Step 1: Initial OSPF Setup

First, define the OSPF instance. The OSPF instance is crucial for defining the general OSPF parameters, including the router ID and the reference to the routing table.

/routing ospf instance
set [ find default=yes ] router-id=10.0.0.1 redistribute-connected=yes redistribute-static=yes

Step 2: Configuring OSPF Networks

For OSPF to function, you must specify which networks will participate in the OSPF process. This is where you include your PTP link subnets.

/routing ospf network
add network=10.0.0.0/29 area=backbone

Repeat this for each subnet in your network, ensuring that all devices meant to participate in OSPF are covered.

Step 3: Fine-Tuning OSPF

Adjusting OSPF parameters allows you to optimize the protocol's operation for your specific network environment. For example, you might want to tweak the OSPF interface settings to optimize for the types of links you're using (e.g., wireless PTP links).

/routing ospf interface
add network-type=broadcast interface=all

This command sets OSPF to treat all interfaces as broadcast types, which is suitable for most WISP networks. However, adjustments may be necessary based on your network's topology and specific requirements.

Handling OSPF in High RF Interference Environments

While OSPF offers dynamic routing capabilities essential for WISP operations, it's important to recognize that high RF interference can impact OSPF's stability and performance. In such scenarios, consider:

  • Static Routing as a Backup: Implement static routes for critical links as a fallback mechanism. This ensures connectivity remains stable even if OSPF encounters issues.
  • OSPF Network Types: For wireless links, adjusting the OSPF network type to point-to-point can sometimes improve stability and performance.
  • Thorough Monitoring: Regular monitoring of OSPF neighbors and route changes can help identify interference-related issues promptly, allowing for quicker resolution.

Using OSPF for redundant highsite connectivity

Implementing OSPF on MikroTik routers for a WISP's highsite connectivity requires careful planning and configuration, especially when dealing with the nuances of wireless PTP links. By adopting a strategic approach to IP addressing and OSPF setup, WISPs can create a resilient and efficient network backbone. Remember, the flexibility of OSPF is its greatest asset, but in environments with significant RF interference, having static routing plans as a backup can safeguard network stability.

Check out this MikroTik OSPF example for further insights into advanced OSPF configurations.

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