Introduction:
The IS-IS routing protocol is a link-state protocol, as opposed to distance-vector protocols such as Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP) and Routing Information Protocol (RIP). Link-state offers several advantages over distance-vector protocols. It is faster converging, supports much larger internetworks, and is less susceptible to routing loops. Features of IS-IS includes:
> Hierarchical routing
> Classless behavior
> Fast Convergence
> Very scalable
> Rapid flooding of new information
> Flexible timer tuning
Description:
Integrated IS-IS supports three types of networks:
1) OSI only (CLNS)
2) IP only
3) Dual (that is, both OSI and IP simultaneously)
A two-level hierarchy is used to support large routing domains. A large domain may be administratively divided into areas. Each system resides in exactly one area.1 Routing within an area is referred to as Level 1 routing. Routing between areas is referred to as Level 2 routing. A Level 2 Intermediate System (IS) keeps track of the paths to destination areas. A Level 1 IS keeps track of the routing within its own area. For a packet destined for another area, a Level 1 IS sends the packet to the nearest Level 2 IS in its own area, regardless of what the destination area is. Then the packet travels via Level 2 routing to the destination area, where it may travel via Level 1 routing to the destination. It should be noted that selecting an exit from an area based on Level 1 routing to the closest Level 2 IS might result in suboptimal routing.2
Basic IS-IS Configuration Steps:
The following steps should be taken when configuring IS-IS on router:
Step 1: Define areas. Prepare an addressing plan for the routers and determine interfaces that will run Integrated IS-IS.
Step 2: Enable IS-IS as an IP routing protocol on the routers.
The "router is-is [tag] global" configuration command enables Integrated IS-IS on the router.
Step 3: Configure the NETs on the routers. This identifies the routers for IS-IS.
After the Integrated IS-IS process is enabled, the router must be identified for IS-IS by assigning a NET to the router with the "net network-entity-title" configuration command. In this command, network-entity-title is the NET that specifies the area address and the system ID for the IS-IS routing process.
Step 4: Enable Integrated IS-IS on the proper interfaces on the routers.
Then finally interfaces that are to use IS-IS to distribute their IP information must be configured using the "ip router isis [tag]" interface configuration command
When routing of CLNS packets is also required, use the "clns router isis [tag]" interface configuration command.
The beauty of ISIS is ,you can configure IPv4 and IPv6,VRF within same process and enable ISIS under interface,protocol automatically understand.
Configuration example of ISIS for IPv6:
Router#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#int e0/0
Router(config-if)#ipv6 enable
Router(config-if)#ipv6 router isis
Router(config-if)#end
Verification Command:
sh isis neighbors
sh clns neighbors
sh isis database detail
Related Information:
Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System Protocol
