Is it time to abandon bogon prefix filters?

Fri Aug 15 17:06:43 UTC 2008

On Fri, 15 Aug 2008, Steven M. Bellovin wrote:
>> and i am saying that you should use a router configuration *system*
>> that avoids ticking time bombs.  no router should be neglected and
>> unloved.
>>
> That, I think, is why he distinguished between routers run by "highly
> clueful people" and routers run by others.  I think we all agree on
> your basic point; it's just that too many people aren't clueful enough
> to realize that they even have a problem, let alone know how to solve
> it.  (Of course, you and I both have a background in programming
> languages and compilers, which is why we naturally think of router
> configurations as a form of assembler language that only a compiler
> should every emit.)

To avoid people feeling individually insulted, I sometimes try to 
distinguish between the purposes of equipment rather than the capabilities
of the person maintaining it.

A NASCAR racing team may perform extensive monitoring and maintenance on 
their racing cars; but that doesn't mean I should need a team of 5 
mechanics to keep my regular street car operating safely with a few idiot
lights on the dashboard.