# BGP Route Reflectors in Small EVPN Data Center Fabrics

DevFeed: [BGP Route Reflectors in Small EVPN Data Center Fabrics](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/bgp-route-reflectors-considered-harmful-11001.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.ipspace.net/2024/05/bgp-rr-considered-harmful/>)

Published: 2024-05-28T06:23:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [ipSpace.net blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/ipspace-net-blog.md>)

Topics: [BGP](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/bgp.md>), [evpn](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/evpn.md>), [datacenter](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/datacenter.md>), [networking](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/networking.md>), [Network design](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/network-design.md>)

Tags: [bgp](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/bgp.md>), [data-center](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data-center.md>), [evpn](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/evpn.md>), [network-design](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/network-design.md>), [networking](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/networking.md>)

## AI overview

This article examines whether BGP route reflectors are necessary in reasonably small EVPN data center fabrics. It compares route-reflector and full-mesh designs, discussing scalability, configuration consistency, update timing, and the operational challenges of using dedicated or virtualized route reflectors.

## Source excerpt

The recent IBGP Full Mesh Between EVPN Leaf Switches blog post generated an interesting discussion on LinkedIn focused on whether we need route reflectors (in small fabrics) and whether they do more harm than good. Here are some of the highlights of that discussion, together with a running commentary. Please note that we're talking about BGP route reflectors in reasonably small data center fabrics. Large service provider networks with millions of customer VPN routes are a completely different story. As always, what you read in a random blog post might not apply to your network design. YMMV. Read more ...