Three Practical Ways to Improve Your Network

This paper presents three simple techniques for improving network service using relatively unknown features of many existing networks. The resulting system provides greater reliability, enhanced security, and ease of management. First, it addresses the application of IP anycast to provide reliable recursive DNS service. Next, it explains the use of unicast reverse path forwarding and its usefulness in preventing local nodes from originating packets with spoofed source addresses. Finally, it explains how unicast reverse path forwarding can be used to quickly and easily apply source address filters on your network. As an added benefit, some of these features provide mechanisms to conform a network to Best Common Practices (BCP) of network operators.