BGP multihoming / router selection

[swanson_s]

I need to spec out two routers for a BGP multihoming setup consisting of two DS-3 connections from separate ISPs for redundancy. I'm currently planning on using one router for each of the eBGP DS-3 connections and using iBGP internally between them.

We currently are using a Cisco 2821 for a single DS-3 connection. I need to know if the 2821 will still be capable when the second connection is added and iBGP is implemented? Would the 3800 series be a better fit?

[walleyewiz]

3800 would be a much better fit. Personally, I would never put more than 4xT-1s on a 2821. Will you be getting the full BGP table from the providers?

[swanson_s]

We currently are receiving the full table. However, even if I reduce the size of the routing table; I still want to make sure that routers will be scalable enough for growth and traffic spikes.

[Danilo Dy · Accepted solution]

3845 with 512MB memory is recommended, it can scale up to 1GB memory and multiple network modules. Beside, only the following model support up to two DS3 module NM-1A-T3; 3660, 3745, 3845 http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps274/products_data_sheet09186a0080091b9e.html