Overview of BGP session flapping detection

The BGP session flapping detection feature enables Network Protocol Manager for BGP to detect flapping (intermittent) BGP sessions due to BGP protocol endpoint flapping. This feature is similar to the interface unstable analysis feature that is implemented by VMware Smart Assurance IP Availability Manager, except that the BGP session flapping detection feature is based on SNMP bgpEstablished traps, not linkDown or linkUp traps.

Network Protocol Manager for BGP monitors a BGP protocol endpoint’s state through the bgpEstablished traps that it receives. It uses a combination of fixed and user-controlled values to determine when to set the IsFlapping attribute of the BGP protocol endpoint.

When Network Protocol Manager for BGP sets the IsFlapping attribute of a BGP protocol endpoint, it also sets the IsFlapping attribute of the associated BGP session and generates a Flapping event for the BGP session.