Cisco RPKI Validator

Cisco RPKI Validator
Name	Cisco RPKI Validator
Developer	Cisco Systems
Released	2018
Latest release	2024
Programming language	C, Python
Operating system	Cisco IOS XE, Linux
License	Proprietary / Cisco Software License
Website	Cisco Systems

Cisco RPKI Validator Cisco RPKI Validator is a network security product by Cisco Systems that provides Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) validation services for Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) route origin validation. It is designed for Internet service providers and large enterprises requiring cryptographic validation of Autonomous System (AS) route origin authorizations against Route Origin Authorizations (ROAs) published by Regional Internet Registries. The validator interoperates with router platforms and route servers to mitigate prefix hijacking, support Secure BGP deployments, and align with routing security best practices endorsed by major organizations.

Overview

Cisco RPKI Validator operates within the RPKI ecosystem that includes Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, American Registry for Internet Numbers, Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre, Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre, and Latin America and Caribbean Network Information Centre. It consumes signed objects from the RPKI Repository Delta Protocol and IMPA (RPKI publication points) to produce validated ROA state. The product aligns with standards from the Internet Engineering Task Force such as relevant RFCs and works alongside initiatives like the Mutually Agreed Norms for Routing Security (MANRS). Cisco positions the validator as part of its broader routing security stack that also interconnects with hardware and software such as Cisco IOS XE, Cisco Nexus, and third-party route servers.

Features and Functionality

Cisco RPKI Validator provides ROA retrieval, validation, and caching, delivering RPKI states: Valid, Invalid, and Unknown for route origin checks. Core features include automated repository fetching, RPKI-to-Routing Policy translation, and RTR (RPKI-to-Router) protocol support for distribution to routers and route collectors. It integrates cryptographic chain validation, certificate revocation handling, and manifest processing consistent with requirements from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and technical guidance from the Number Resource Organization. Operational functionality supports integration with route collectors such as RouteViews and RIPE NCC RIS, and with routing platforms used by operators like AT&T, Verizon, and large cloud providers.

Deployment and Integration

Deployments commonly place Cisco RPKI Validator in control-plane segments alongside route servers and route reflectors. Integration patterns include peering with BGP routers via the RTR protocol, feeding validated origin lists into policy engines on Cisco IOS XR or Juniper Junos devices, and exporting validation states to network management systems used by enterprises like Deutsche Telekom and NTT Communications. It supports virtualized and containerized installations on platforms compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu Server, and hypervisors used by operators such as Equinix and Amazon Web Services for hybrid environments. Integration with security orchestration from vendors such as Splunk and IBM Security enables central incident response and auditing.

Configuration and Management

The validator includes a management plane that exposes CLI and RESTful interfaces for configuration, monitoring, and metrics export. Administrators can configure repository mirrors, trust anchors tied to RIRs, and RTR sessions specifying endpoints for distribution to routers from vendors like Arista Networks and Huawei Technologies. Management supports role-based access controls aligned with organizational practices at ISPs and cloud operators including CenturyLink and T-Mobile. Monitoring hooks export telemetry to systems using Prometheus, SNMP, and logging frameworks common in enterprises such as ServiceNow for change tracking and compliance workflows.

Security and Compliance

Security features encompass cryptographic validation of RPKI certificates, handling of Certificate Revocation Lists, and manifest verification to prevent tampering. The validator facilitates compliance with routing security recommendations from bodies such as Internet Society and operational recommendations from MANRS. It helps organizations implement operational controls cited by regulators and standards bodies including European Union Agency for Cybersecurity guidance for critical infrastructure operators. High-availability and access controls mitigate insider risk and provide audit trails suitable for audits by entities like ISO auditors and enterprise compliance teams.

Performance and Scalability

Cisco RPKI Validator is engineered to support high-throughput environments with large ROA datasets. It scales horizontally via clustering and caching, and vertically by allocating additional CPU and memory resources when deployed on platforms used by hyperscalers like Google and Microsoft Azure. Performance characteristics include low-latency RTR updates to BGP routers, efficient delta processing of repository changes, and resource usage profiles that operators compare against benchmarks from route collectors such as RouteViews. Large service providers can deploy validator clusters alongside BGP route servers to ensure consistent validation across global network fabrics operated by companies like Level 3 Communications.

Troubleshooting and Support

Operational troubleshooting uses diagnostic logs, RTR session status, and RPKI object audits to resolve validation failures, certificate chain issues, or repository synchronization problems. Typical troubleshooting workflows reference advisories and runbooks from Cisco TAC and industry incident reports from organizations such as RIPE NCC and APNIC. Support models include vendor support contracts with Cisco Technical Assistance Center, community guidance from operator forums like NANOG and best-practice documentation from regional registries. Advanced diagnostics often involve cross-referencing validation state with BGP routing tables in collectors like RouteViews and RIPE NCC RIS to isolate prefix origin anomalies.

Category:Network security software