Re: Cisco - ip verify unicast reverse-path

[Paul Ferguson <ferguson () cisco com>]

Tony,

At 02:54 PM 02/12/2000 -0800, trall () almaden ibm com wrote:

> This command has been mentioned numerous times during the DDoS discussion.
> I, for one, don't have a good idea of how it works.  Perhaps someone can
> enlighten us?

The "ip verify unicast reverse-path" interface command (also known
as Unicast RPF, or Reverse-Path Forwarding check) requires CEF to
be in used in order to use this feature. This is because CEF separates
the RIB and FIB, and the FIB check is used that ensure that packets
received on an interface with this feature enabled are not forwarded
unless a valid path on the same interface exists back to the originating
source.

See also:

"Essential IOS" - Features Every ISP Should Consider
http://www.cisco.com/public/cons/isp/documents/IOSEssentialsPDF.zip

and

Craig Huegen's very useful web page on minimizing the effects
of DoS attacks:
http://users.quadrunner.com/chuegen/smurf.cgi


> Another issue is why has Cisco made this such a stealth feature? 

It's not a stealth feature -- it's just not well documented yet.
It was only introduced in 11.1(17)CC release image, which is a
specialized service provider code base.

We are working to get it documented in the traditional ways as
it gets integrated into mainline code releases.

- paul