Software Archives - The Tiny Tech

Why Should You Use Real Estate CRM Software?

Alba Fores — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 04:04:49 +0000

Real estate, being one of the most profitable investments of all time, has grown busier than ever in the 21st century.

Due to this busy growth in this industry, real estate firms are developing teams. From realtors and brokers to marketing teams, this industry has become highly competitive.

In order to keep up with this speed, growth and demand, the real estate industry urgently needs automation. This can be achieved with the growth of technology.

Digitization and automation have helped every economic sector reach better heights. Then why not the real estate industry?

Here we shall discuss everything about using CRM software tools in the real estate industry!

What Is Real Estate CRM Software?

Real estate CRM software is a comprehensive software solution for real estate agents and brokers. It is a full-featured software for managing all of the real estate processes that involve the consumer front.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a system or software that is used for managing, handling and storing data about customers, their details, interests, interactions, and other important things.

This software is used by real estate agents and brokers to manage the details of their customers, create and share leads, stay in touch with leads, follow up on every lead and more importantly, close more deals and make more money.

You can download suitable CRM tools to boost your real estate business from here: https://thepirateproxybay.com/. It’s free and can be used for everything else.

5 Reasons Why You Need Real Estate CRM Software

Here are 5 major reasons why you should use CRM software in real estate firms—

Direct Communication With Leads

One of the most important facts about any business is maintaining the line of communication with your leads. With effective CRM software, you can stay in touch with your leads and practice your marketing strategies better. It enhances the trust between the firm and its potential customers.

Avoid Missing Out On Leads

This is one of the best uses of CRM software. While traditional client acquisition processes did not guarantee conversion. The CRM process eliminates this possibility.

With a CRM software tool managing and tracking the activities with your leads, you can not easily miss out on lucrative conversations. This lowers the number of lost leads.

Faster Lead Conversions

Having CRM software helps companies to convert leads faster. The main reason for this is automation.

CRM software allows you to automate a number of tasks. For example, it can be used to manage client information, leads and sales, as well as track conversations and social interactions.

The main thing is that all of your company’s data can be stored in one place, which makes it easier and quicker to convert leads into sales.

Higher Productivity

CRM software helps you keep track of your leads, sales, marketing, etc. You can track all your prospects, clients, leads, and their related information, like appointment schedules and previous order details.

You can also track your employees by their performance in the CRM software. Additionally, it helps you connect with your clients through email and social media. You can directly respond to your clients’ questions in a timely manner.

So by having CRM software, your organization will have a better marketing strategy. It allows you to manage your workforce better, thus boosting productivity.

Managing Feedback

Real estate is a very fast-paced business. The property market is flooded with many home buyers and house sellers each day.

This can prove to be a difficult task for the real estate agents involved. Managing customer feedback is essential to handle the chaotic environment of real estate and provide a promising service at the same time.

A real estate CRM system helps you organize the information of your clients and helps you to manage their property inquiries. It allows you to understand your client’s demands and expectations.

Conclusion

One of the most important things new investors can do is manage their leads. A lead is a phone call, e-mail, handwritten note, in-person meeting, etc., from a potential investor that indicates that they are interested in buying an investment property.

Therefore, automating the process of managing the industry boils down to having a CRM software tool. You’ll get multiple platforms to help you overcome customer management issues if you search well.

The post Why Should You Use Real Estate CRM Software? appeared first on The Tiny Tech.

Development of Bespoke Software Solutions. What is it and Does it Matter?

Alba Fores — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 11:38:12 +0000

Our modern business environment, full of digital innovations and bespoke software solutions are the game-changers for your business. Off-the-shelf software may be readily available for you to purchase, but you’re not 100% sure whether it is adaptable to your specific business needs. On the other hand, bespoke software solutions are tailor-made by the developers according to your specifications to best suit your requirements.

Working in a bespoke software development company has taught me the value of a good client-vendor relationship. We at Dreamix consider our clients as partners and think that mind shift has contributed to our 15-year successful market presence. Besides excellent technical expertise, embracing Agile as a software development methodology really was a pivotal moment for delivering persistent high-quality code fragments within short iterations. All while actively communicating with our partners about short- and long-term goals and challenges and flexibly adjusting milestones if needed.

We’ll now take a closer look at what exactly bespoke software development is and why it is one of the essential cornerstones of today’s business success.

What are Bespoke Software Solutions?

Bespoke software development (also known as custom software development) is a specific type of software developed for a specific organisation or target user group. In the business world, bespoke software solutions are designed for a single customer in such a way that it serves customers’ particular business requirements, tastes and expectations, which may not be the case with off-the-shelf commercial software. Today’s prevalent methodology for how bespoke software development companies produce software is Agile. Agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban or extreme programming focus on people, team performance and results.

For some small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), it is typical to work with external IT vendors for building bespoke software solutions with important business functions. These might cover content management, inventory management, customer and sales management, human resources, or otherwise to fill the gaps in existing software packages. In many cases, this software is legacy software that was developed before off-the-shelf software became mainstream that provides the required functionality with an acceptable level of quality but is marked by functional or security gaps.

Is Bespoke Software Development More Expensive?

Nowadays, almost all SME companies use software to cover their internal operations, serve their own customers or track their KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Given the extreme domination of software technologies in our digitalised society, it is no wonder that most companies go for bespoke software solutions instead of commercially available software. The one-size-fits-all approach from the recent past simply isn’t flexible enough for today. With this in mind, though, is bespoke software development the more expensive option?

In 2022, most business problems are solved with the help of technology. Do you struggle with gathering enough customer data insights? A robust data analysis tool can help. Do you want to handle all your customers’ questions without hiring extra staff? Then, building a chatbot feature on your web application might be the right for you. Bespoke software solutions are here to solve precisely the problems your business is facing efficiently, be it more reliable cloud computing or a custom web platform. The development costs depend on multiple factors such as the project’s objectives and scope, team size, technical expertise and of course, a project’s duration. However high the development costs may be, investing in bespoke software development pays off in the long run. Here is a helpful article on how to calculate your project’s ROI.

Top Five Advantages of Bespoke Software Development

Tailor-made according to your business needs

We already talked about how the one-size-fits-all way of using technology is now obsolete. Every business is structured and managed in its own way, and customised software is best suited to respond to this unique character. An experienced bespoke software development company can quickly adapt and scale your solution to your business model and growth rate.

Seamless Process Integration

A bespoke software solution is usually designed to integrate multiple business processes and provide support to achieve multiple goals. Therefore, the added value lies in using only one program for many tasks. For example, in aviation, your bespoke software solution can be used to track flying routes, slot management and staff capacity.

High Software Scalability

As your business grows, doing business becomes more complex. However, this is not a problem with custom IT development, as you can scale your software accordingly. This saves you the cost of additional licenses or subscriptions for additional software features. As your business grows, custom software can grow with you instead of becoming obsolete and requiring expensive upgrades. Bespoke software solutions are also better tailored to your specific needs, so you don’t pay for features you don’t need.

Increased Software Security

It is known that off-the-shelf solutions are more vulnerable to cyberattacks because hackers know their vulnerabilities well enough. However, with bespoke software development, the risk of unauthorised intrusion is minimised, and possible security problems are appropriately taken into account during the development process of this software.

Agile Software Development

It is a more and more widespread approach to developing bespoke software solutions in iterative cycles. Agile methods and processes (e.g. Scrum) can save you time and money as they take into account all the nuances and hidden risks, including features or tasks not specified in the original project requirements. The latter is crucial in today’s very fluid and dynamic business environment, where changes happen very quickly. Besides, Agile software development is characteriсed by getting more things done in less time.

Author Biography Aleksandrina Vasileva
Aleksandrina is a Content Creator at Dreamix, a custom software development company, and is keen on innovative technological solutions with a positive impact on our world. Her teaching background mixed with interests in psychology drives her to share knowledge. She is an avid reader and enthusiastic blogger, always looking for the next inspiration.

The post Development of Bespoke Software Solutions. What is it and Does it Matter? appeared first on The Tiny Tech.

6 benefits of using software to manage meeting room booking systems

Alba Fores — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 18:44:40 +0000

Renting out meeting rooms isn’t easy, and with any luck, you’ll never have to do it yourself. But there are many benefits to letting a company like Room Booking Software handle the headache for you. It’s not just an easier way to find a date and time when you need a room; there are also tons of other benefits that could make renting out meeting space worth the investment. Renting out a meeting room booking system can be tough, but it’s hard to imagine how much tougher it would be without software like Room Booking Software to handle the headache for you. If a company like this can save the hassle, it only makes sense why you would invest in their services.

The benefits of using software to manage your meeting room booking systems are many. First of all, it saves you time. Finding dates and times that work for everyone can be a nightmare. If you don’t want to be on the other end of a phone call trying to make it work, it’s probably worth not having to deal with that at all. It’s also easier for the client. They can see the rooms right when they log into their account and choose one that works for them. If they need to switch things around or cancel, it’s just as easy. There’s no wasting time trying to contact the person looking after the rooms, it’s all done online with just a click. It’s also easier for them to choose a date and time that will work for everyone.

1. No More Stress

Thanks to the software, you can just check your account and get the room booked. It’s never been easier to book a meeting room. There isn’t any stress involved when it’s all online. That’s in stark contrast with the time-wasting phone calls and emails that you are used to having to deal with until you find a date and time that works for everyone. It makes everything smoother, not just for your clients but for you as well.

2. Easier for the Client

The software makes it much easier for the client and keeps the whole process organised and simple. It’s not just a matter of booking a room, it becomes part of their day. They always know when they are available to use a room. They never have to call to see if they have time or if they can move things around. You don’t have to deal with them making last minute changes, or wondering if they can cancel at the last minute. It all happens online, so you can just watch it happen.

3. Cost-effective and Efficient

The software is very affordable, especially when you consider that it could save you hours every day. For example, if someone calls you and asks if they can use the conference room on Friday at 11 am, they might return your call at 3 pm because of other demands on their time and then have to find someone to cover a shift for them. With the software, you can just check your account and make sure it’s available. It’s all smooth sailing from there.

4. Easy to Use

The software is also very easy to use, and that means that you’ll be able to get more out of your rental properties. You won’t have to worry about someone calling when they have time and asking if their boss can change a date or time, you’ll be able to do it all in an instant with zero effort on your part. You can also customise the software to meet your own needs, so you know that it looks just right and that there is no way it can be too confusing. It’s all as easy as clicking on a button, and then everything is taken care of.

5. More Flexible

Finally, the software will make it easier to rent out more rooms in the future. This is especially true if you have a rental property in a building with several rooms available for rent or if you have multiple properties. You may be able to open your building up to more traffic and make more money with this software. It’s flexible, easy to use, and well worth the cost when you consider how much time it will save you.

6. Easy to Search

It’s also very easy to search through the software and make sure that you are making the most out of your rental property. It gives you a great overview of which days and at what times you rented the most rooms and which ones had the best profit margins. It makes it easier for you to figure out when you should be renting out certain rooms, and it’s easy for you to get information about how much time people rented rooms for. You won’t have to guess any of this information, you’ll have easy access to it when you need it.

The post 6 benefits of using software to manage meeting room booking systems appeared first on The Tiny Tech.

Best Architecture Software

Alba Fores — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 09:58:54 +0000

In the current scenario, designers and architects do not have to rely on paper-pencil models anymore. With the availability of some of the best architecture software, you can choose to draw, sketch, save, and share your designs with others very easily.

One cannot simply work with any design software available on the web. To be able to understand and extensively engage with the engineering aspect of the designs, Architectural Software stands out among all. These software allows you to conceptualize ideas that require technical accuracy at their finest.

Hence we have created a list of the best architecture software to create 2D and 3D designs models along with other diagrams, etc. Let us get down with it here.

5 Best Architecture Software

1. AutoCAD

When we think of the best tool that covers all bases and is also perfect for professionals, AutoCAD instantly comes to mind. This tool is used by millions of users all around the world. Not only can you use this tool for creating 2D and 3D designs but also choose to collaborate with your team members and share the designs across multiple platforms. You will find multiple laptops for CAD designing that can run AutoCAD to automate and customize the designs from scratch.

This tool is used by several multinational organizations along with professional architects, engineers, etc to create masterpieces. To ensure compatibility and flexibility, you can even download the web & mobile apps to be able to share the designs remotely. There are three packages available for the subscription you can choose i.e. $220/monthly, $1,775/annually, and $5,060/ every 3 years.

2. 3Ds Max

Another exceptional architecture software by Autodesk that specializes in creating the best 3D designs in 3Ds Max. You can download a free trial of the software to learn more about it before investing your money in buying the subscription. With 3Ds Max, you can create 3D modeling and render for designs, games, etc.

If you are into gaming, this might be the software to create different characters bringing animations and VFX to life. Some of the features that 3Ds provides to all its subscribers are as follows.

Create designs using the built-in weighted normal calculator.
Use different animation tools to view and edit animations.
With the use of Arnold GPU Renderer, you can view changes in real-time.
Use 3Ds Max to change the settings of a real-life camera such as shutter speed, etc.
You can import data from anywhere to make changes to your existing designs.

3Ds Max is also used by hundreds of users all around the world. You can choose to subscribe to it with available packages such as $215/ monthly, $1,700/ annually, and $4,845/ every 3 years.

3. Revit

Revit is one of the best Architecture software you can find on the web that also comes under the many products provided by Autodesk. This is more specifically a building Information Modeling (BIM) software that is introduced for architects, engineers, and construction professionals to create premium quality designs for buildings and other infrastructure.

The major difference between AutoCAD and Revit is that even though both these tools help to create 3D designs, Revit provides a more intensive solution and is more data-intensive. However, Revit is very easy to learn as compared to multiple other CAD and BIM software such as AutoCAD. You will find different automation tools and plugins with this software that will ease the design process.

Moreover, you can choose to collaborate with team members and have a proper workflow. This software allows you to save, sync, and even share the designs with people across different platforms integrated with Revit. Furthermore, with the current cloud computing capabilities, you can host major projects and designs on the cloud.

4. SketchUp

For all beginners who are looking for something that is much easier to understand and learn unlike other 3D design software, SketchUp is what you need. You can easily design all your 3D designs along with multiple sections, elevations, and view them in 2D to analyze every aspect. Moreover, you can use animations, draw characters, add images, and videos to your designs to make it more intriguing.

With the availability of a large 3D model library, you can choose any chair, fern, or any other model to add to your design. To make it even more realistic, you can choose the VR and AR mobile apps to show your designs to the clients. There are multiple tools through which you can create detailed geometric cost estimates as well as other reports from your models.

5. CATIA

Lastly, we have CATIA, just another of the best architecture software that works on creating models and designs of several products with ease. Not only is it used by individual professionals but also by multiple industries and companies to develop products. This software features a powerful design dashboard with access to all your models, real-time design editing and changes, as well as collaboration with other professionals.

Even though some might find this super expensive, it is perfect for large-scale organizations with a higher revenue model than individuals. The best part of this software is the fact that it is very easy to learn and understand.

Conclusion

Here is the list of the best architecture software available on the web that features 3D modeling and rendering services. Among all of these, there are other products as well such as Civil 3D, Chief Architect, etc with powerful programs to create and share designs on a massive scale. Although software such as AutoCAD is a little difficult to learn and understand for beginners and takes a lot of time to implement over the course of time.

Similarly, SketchUp and Revit are relatively easier in these aspects. The price factor might play a huge role in determining the right one for you. You can find multiple tutorials available to learn every aspect of this software from creating to customizing the designs using AR/VR, Animations, creating characters, etc. If you are looking for free tools you can try out FreeCAD and learn 3D modeling as a beginner.

The post Best Architecture Software appeared first on The Tiny Tech.

How to Convert MOV to MP4 With WinX Video Converter

Alba Fores — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 13:01:48 +0000

Videos that are captured by iPhone and GoPro are often formatted in MOV. If you want to share these videos with your friends or colleagues, you may need to convert MOV to MP4.

Luckily, there are many video converters available on the market. Among them, WinX Video Converter is a good option. It is easy to use and can convert videos at high speed. In addition, it also supports other formats such as MKV, AVI, WMV, and FLV, and it’s totally free to use. So you must read how to convert MOV to MP4.

Here is a simple guide on how to use WinX Video Converter to convert MOV to MP4:

1. Download and install WinX Video Converter on your computer.

2. Launch the program and add the MOV files that you want to convert.

3. Select MP4 as the output format and click the “Run” button.

The video converter will start converting MOV to MP4 immediately. When the conversion is finished, you can then play the converted videos on your computer or other devices.

So, that’s how you convert MOV to MP4 with WinX Video Converter. As you can see, it is a very easy process and doesn’t require any expertise. Give it a try and download this software then you see how well it works for you.

If you post an article so visit us at https://thetinytech.com/write-for-us/

Why do People Need to Convert MOV to MP4?

There are many reasons why people may need to convert MOV to MP4. For example, if they want to watch a MOV video on a device that MOV files won’t open, they will need to convert it to MP4. Or, if they want to share a MOV video with friends or colleagues who don’t have the same video player software as them, they will need to convert it to MP4.

So, whether you’re an iPhone user who wants to watch your videos on a different device, or you’re someone who wants to share videos with friends and family, converting MOV to MP4 is a good solution. And, as mentioned before, WinX Video Converter is a good option for doing this. It’s easy-to-use, fast, and free.

MOV files are not compatible with many devices or players. If you want to watch a MOV video on a device that doesn’t support the MOV format, you will need to convert it to MP4.

MOV files also take too much storage on devices. If you want to save storage on your device, converting MOV to MP4 is a good solution. It can’t be shared with people who don’t have the same video player software as you.

Five Main Features and Advantages of WinX Video Converter:

1. Convert videos at high speed: WinX Video Converter is very fast and can convert videos at a high speed.

2. Supports a variety of formats: The video converter supports a wide range of formats, including MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, and FLV.

3. Easy-to-use: The video converter is easy-to-use and even beginners can use it without any difficulty.

4. Quality is preserved: The video converter maintains the quality of the original videos while converting them to other formats.

5. Totally free to use: WinX Video Converter is totally free to use and there are no hidden costs or fees associated with it.

Video Tutorial for Converting MOV file to MP4

Conclusion

So, there you have it – a simple guide on how to convert MOV to MP4 with WinX Video Converter. As you can see, it is an easy process and doesn’t require any expertise. Give it a try and install this software and see how well it works for you. And, if you’re looking for a good video converter that supports the MOV format, WinX Video Converter is a good option. It’s easy-to-use, fast, and free.

The post How to Convert MOV to MP4 With WinX Video Converter appeared first on The Tiny Tech.

Stellar Repair for Outlook: The Best Way to Recover Corrupt Outlook PST File!

Alba Fores — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 19:02:07 +0000

There are so many email clients in the market which you can use but Outlook is one of the most popular ones. It is an email client that comes along with Microsoft office suite. You can also download it separately because Outlook has its own benefits which makes it different from other email clients in the market.

If you post an article so visit us at https://thetinytech.com/write-for-us/

Now, users have reported various issues in connecting to their accounts and thus they are unable to access them properly. Some of the common issues include login/logout problems, receiving or sending error messages, not able to send or receive emails, etc., when using Microsoft Outlook. Most of these issues are related to corrupted PST file issue often due to unexpected system shutdowns while working on MS Outlook, virus attack, hardware malfunctioning etc. This corruption leads to improper working of Outlook.

However, these problems can be easily solved by simply using Stellar Repair for Outlook tool because it offers remarkable solutions and guarantees 100% error free working of the software. It is a perfect utility that helps in recovering important emails and other items from corrupt PST file and saves them in new files successfully. By using this simple repair process you can fix all your issues with ease when using MS Outlook email client with complete convenience.

Key Features of Stellar Repair for Outlook are listed below:

• Recovers permanently deleted or lost emails/items

• Get back encrypted PST file

• Repairs severely corrupted KB size PST files

• Brings back stopped outlook services

• Maintains folder hierarchy while saving repaired data

• Provides interactive & easy to use graphical interface

As we have tested the software in our offices, we find it very efficient and easy to use. You can repair your MS Outlook by using this utility in few simple steps even if you are a non-technical user. Here is the detailed process to run Stellar Repair for Outlook:

Steps To Run Stellar Repair For Outlook:

1) Download and install this tool on your system by double clicking on setup file after downloading from its official website.

2) Launch the software and select ‘open application’ option from main screen as shown in screenshot below:

3) Once the application has been launched, you need to specify location of PST file that needs to be repaired through browse button. The complete path will appear once you have selected directory of PST file.

4) After specifying the location of PST file you need to select your desired language and then click on ‘next’ button.

5) The tool will detect corrupt Outlook files after applying deep scanning method through default scan option under tools tab. You can also change scan options according to your requirements by selecting custom scan option.

6) Preview all the recovered mailboxes in respective tabs available for each mailbox type like inbox, outbox etc., shown in left window pane after completion of scanning process. If at any point, you fail to find required data then use filters option present in left bottom portion of main interface as shown below:

It will help you to view only desired folders/items that are found in corrupted PST file.

7) At last, save the scanned result to a new file by clicking on ‘save’ button which is available at top right corner of main window.

8) If you are content with scanning results then click on close button otherwise again re-apply scanning process through start scan option.

Thus you can repair your corrupted PST file with complete accuracy in time saving manner even when you are using MS Outlook application for first time! This software is compatible with almost every version of Windows OS like 10/8/7 etc., 32 bit & 64 bit operating system and thus it provides flexibility to every user in tackling various issues related to outlook email client. So download Stellar Repair for Outlook tool now and get rid of all sorts of errors while working on Outlook application!

Recover Deleted Mail Items From Outlook PST File

Stellar Repair for Outlook is trusted and dependable utility to recover deleted mail items from Outlook folders, outbox, sent mail folder, drafts in few simple clicks. It recovers emails in .pst files created in Microsoft Outlook 97-2016 for Windows, Linux & Mac OS. Download…

Recover Encrypted Mail From Corrupt PST File

Encryption protects you email data against unauthorized access by using strong encryption algorithms like 20 algorithm (AES) which can only be unlocked with the original password. Stellar Repair for Outlook Password Recovery software uses brute force attack to recover the password of encrypted PST file (.pst).

Stellar Repair for Outlook helps you to scan, view and recover the content of corrupt PST file. It can recover all email components including attachments, embedded images, original formatting and hyperlinks etc. The tool takes few minutes to extract data from PST file and converts into new PST/EML/MSG/RTF/HTML/PDF for user access.

Possible Reasons due to which Outlook Emails gets corrupted:

• Corruption in header section – A header is a predefined segment present at beginning of every Outlook item i.e., emails, tasks, contacts etc. This segment includes information such as “From”, “To” or “CC” fields etc., So any damage caused onto this header results in loss of complete mail items from Outlook.

• Header structure damage – Corruption in header can be caused due to several reasons such as virus attack, system shutdown abruptly, heavy memory allocation, loss of power supply or any hardware failure etc.

• Corrupt PST file – Outlook for Windows uses PST file as offline storage to maintain the data availability even when MS outlook is not connected with Exchange server. The user can easily access their emails, contacts and other mailbox items but a single error occurring on Exchange server leads to corruption of entire PST files which results in complete data lose from Outlook application.

How Stellar Repair for Outlook works?

The outlook pst file recovery software quickly scans the corrupt PST file and extract all email components including emails along with attachments, embedded images, formatting, meta data etc. It quickly scans the corrupt file and extracts all emails in it to new healthy PST file with complete accuracy even when you are using MS Outlook application for first time.

The post Stellar Repair for Outlook: The Best Way to Recover Corrupt Outlook PST File! appeared first on The Tiny Tech.

How to build MPLS network with 6WIND Virtual Service Router

Michel Bou Sleiman — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 12:07:32 +0000

6WIND has been a leader in the network software industry for over 2 decades and today’s network evolution is towards defining function virtualization at the service infrastructure. At 6WIND, we are constantly reinventing how tomorrow’s networks would look like.

As a start to a multiple-blog series, we will introduce in this first part, how the Virtual Service Router designed by 6WIND can leverage the requirements of a light virtual Provider Edge functionality. The aim of these writings is to introduce our readers to the virtualized routing functions that are available with the 6WIND Virtual Service Router and how it can be used to build your MPLS networks.

1. What is a MPLS network?

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a routing technique in telecommunications networks that directs data from one node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses, thus avoiding complex lookups in a routing table and speeding traffic flows. The labels identify virtual links or paths (LSP – Label Switched Path) between distant nodes rather than endpoints. MPLS can encapsulate packets of various network protocols, hence the “multiprotocol” reference on its name. MPLS, in its original designs, supports a range of access technologies, including T1/E1, ATM, Frame Relay, DSL and Ethernet.

Virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) is a technology that allows multiple instances of a routing table to co-exist within the same virtual router at the same time. One or more logical or physical interfaces may belong to a VRF and these VRFs do not share routes (unless explicit leaking is configured) therefore the packets are only forwarded between interfaces within the same VRF.

VRFs can be defined as the TCP/IP layer 3 equivalent of a VLAN. Because the routing instances are independent, the same or overlapping IP addresses can be used in a given VRF without conflicting with other instances. Network functionality is improved because network paths can be segmented without requiring multiple routers.

A Route Distinguisher (RD) separates routes (one VRF for each customer routing table) of one customer from another. RD is prepended to each route (64-bit identifier is prepended) within a VRF to identify which VPN the route belongs to. An RD is carried along with a route via MP-BGP when exchanging VPN routes with other PE routers.

Route Target is a 64-bit identifier used as part of MP-BGP attribute (extended community) to identify which route should be exported or imported to specific VPN. Whereas route distinguishers are used to maintain uniqueness among identical routes in different VRFs, route targets can be used to share routes among them. We can apply route targets to a VRF to control the import and export of routes.

2. How can 6WIND help you build your MPLS Network?

Network Virtual Functions is becoming an attraction today when designing cloudified and virtualized architectures. We will demonstrate in this blog how the 6WIND Virtual Service Router can be deployed as a light MPLS virtual Provider Edge network function.

For the simplicity of this write-up we will showcase the MPLS Layer3 VRF functionality using Ethernet links on 6WIND’s Virtual Service Router and segregating our virtual MPLS router into two distinct L3VRFs (Cust1 and Cust2) each connecting a subset of sites as seen in the following diagram:

In this implementation, a virtual core backbone network is responsible for the transmission of data across the wide area between VRF instances at each edge location belonging to Cust1 and Cust2. This model of MPLS L3VPN has been traditionally deployed by carriers to provide a shared wide-area backbone network for multiple customers. They are also appropriate in the large enterprise, multi-tenant and shared data center environments.

In a typical virtual deployment, the virtual customer edge (vCE) routers handle local routing in a traditional fashion using static routes, IGP or eBGP and disseminate the routing information into the virtual provider edge (vPE) where the routing tables are virtualized. The vPE router then encapsulates the traffic, marks it with the RD/RT to identify the VRF instance, and transmits it across the provider backbone network to the destination vPE router. The destination vPE router then decapsulates the traffic based on the RD/RT identity and forwards it to the vCE router at the destination. The backbone network is completely transparent to the customer equipment, allowing multiple customers or user communities to use the common backbone network while maintaining end-to-end traffic separation.

The IP addressing for each customer is globally distinct except one entity that has an overlapping subnet with the other customer:

Cust1 uses subnets 10.0.0.0/24, 10.1.0.0/24 and 10.1.1.0/24 for its 3 site entities.

Cust2 uses subnets 10.0.0.0/24, 10.2.0.0/24 and 10.2.2.0/24 for its 3 site entities.

As a prerequisite and best practice for the 6WIND Virtual Router configuration, some elements should be configured on all nodes, such as, management vrf, system license and system fast path. As a reminder, The fast path is the Virtual Router component in charge of packet processing. To accelerate ethernet NICs, the latter must be dedicated to the fast path, and the fast path must be started. To note that in the GNS3 setup we simulated, the “–cpu host” option must be configured in the advanced additional settings when defining the virtual node properties.

vrf management

interface

physical management

port pci-b0s3 ← Physical port mapping (show state network-ports)

ipv4

dhcp

dns

server 8.8.8.8

system

hostname vP-RR

fast-path

port pci-b0s3

port pci-b0s4

port pci-b0s5

port pci-b0s6

port pci-b0s7

license

online

serial

vrf management ← VRF that allows internet access for the licensing daemon

The following configuration is typical of a 6WIND Virtual Service Router performing label switching functionalities using the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) as the underlying IGP with MPLS LDP enabled. For the purpose of this demo, we have enabled route-reflector (RR) capability on this virtual P Router to reduce the number of MP-BGP neighbors to be configured on each of the vPE routers. Typically, for a more complex setup, a VPNv4 RR is better to be designed in an out-of path deployment architecture:

vrf main

routing

mpls

ldp

router-id 10.10.10.10

address-family

ipv4

discovery

transport-address 10.10.10.10

interface Loop0

interface TO-vSER1

interface TO-vSER2

interface TO-vSER3

interface TO-vSER4

ospf

router-id 10.10.10.10

network 10.0.0.0/8 area 0

passive-interface Loop0

bgp

as 1000

router-id 10.10.10.10

address-family

ipv4-vpn

neighbor-group RR-CLIENT

remote-as 1000

update-source Loop0

address-family

ipv4-vpn

route-reflector-client true

neighbor 10.1.1.1

neighbor-group RR-CLIENT

neighbor 10.2.2.2

neighbor-group RR-CLIENT

neighbor 10.3.3.3

neighbor-group RR-CLIENT

neighbor 10.4.4.4

neighbor-group RR-CLIENT

interface

physical TO-vSER1

port pci-b0s4

ipv4

address 10.0.1.10/24

physical TO-vSER2

port pci-b0s5

ipv4

address 10.0.2.10/24

physical TO-vSER3

port pci-b0s6

ipv4

address 10.0.3.10/24

physical TO-vSER4

port pci-b0s7

ipv4

address 10.0.4.10/24

loopback Loop0

ipv4

address 10.10.10.10/32

..

The following configuration is typical of a 6WIND Virtual Service Edge Router acting as a PE router using OSPF as the underlying IGP with MPLS LDP enabled for label distribution and Multi-Protocol Border Gateway Protocol (MP-BGP) for L3VRF distribution and connectivity using the vpn-ipv4 address-family:

vrf main

routing

mpls

ldp

router-id 10.1.1.1

address-family

ipv4

discovery

transport-address 10.1.1.1

interface Loop0

interface TO-vP-RR

interface TO-vSER2

interface TO-vSER3

ospf

router-id 10.1.1.1

network 10.0.0.0/8 area 0

passive-interface Loop0

bgp

as 1000

router-id 10.1.1.1

address-family

ipv4-vpn

neighbor 10.10.10.10

remote-as 1000

update-source Loop0

address-family

ipv4-vpn

interface

physical TO-vSER2

port pci-b0s5

ipv4

address 10.1.2.1/24

physical TO-vSER3

port pci-b0s4

ipv4

address 10.1.3.1/24

physical TO-vP-RR

port pci-b0s7

ipv4

address 10.0.1.1/24

loopback Loop0

ipv4

address 10.1.1.1/32

xvrf Client1

link-interface main

link-vrf Client1

xvrf Client2

link-interface main

link-vrf Client2

vrf Client1

routing

bgp

as 1000

router-id 10.1.1.10

address-family

ipv4-unicast

network 10.0.0.0/24

network 10.1.1.10/32

redistribute connected

l3vpn

export

vpn true

label auto

route-target 1000:1

route-distinguisher 1000:1

import

vpn true

route-target 1000:1

interface

physical Client1

port pci-b0s6

ipv4

address 10.0.0.1/24

loopback Loop1

ipv4

address 10.1.1.10/32

xvrf main

link-interface Client1

link-vrf main

vrf Client2

routing

bgp

as 1000

router-id 10.1.1.20

address-family

ipv4-unicast

network 10.0.0.0/24

network 10.1.1.20/32

redistribute connected

l3vpn

export

vpn true

label auto

route-target 1000:2

route-distinguisher 1000:2

import

vpn true

route-target 1000:2

interface

physical Client2

port pci-b0s6

ipv4

address 10.0.0.1/24

loopback Loop1

ipv4

address 10.1.1.20/32

xvrf main

link-interface Client2

link-vrf main

..

Using Cross-VRF (xvrf) interfaces to perform vrf route leaking with BGP requires a specific semantic between VRs and interface names. VR naming must meet the requirements of interface naming. Actually, the Cross-VRF interface name chosen must be equal to the target VR the interface is connected to. To illustrate, in order to reach VR “main” from VR “Client1”, a Cross-VRF interface named “main” has to be created in VR “Client1”. Reversely, an Cross-VRF interface named “Client1” has to be created in VR “main”. In this way, the interface “main” and the interface “Client1” will be connected together. The naming convention is not only done to reflect the intent of the interface. It is mandatory to configure it in this way, if one wants to benefit from route leaking across VRs, using Cross-VRF interfaces, and BGP.

With the above configuration applied, VR route leaking is possible. Subsequently, if BGP peering is done between a CE and the BGP instance of each VR instance, then route importation and exportation occurs. Below output demonstrates that the routes from Client1 have been imported to the main vrf. The VR route leaks are visible with the @1< indicating that the route entry originated from VR Client1.

vSER1> show bgp vrf Client1 ipv4

BGP table version is 5, local router ID is 10.1.1.10, vrf id 2

Default local pref 100, local AS 1000

Status codes: s suppressed, d damped, h history, * valid, > best, = multipath,

i internal, r RIB-failure, S Stale, R Removed

Nexthop codes: @NNN nexthop’s vrf id, < announce-nh-self

Origin codes: i – IGP, e – EGP, ? – incomplete

Network Next Hop Metric LocPrf Weight Path

* 10.0.0.0/24 0.0.0.0 0 32768 ?

*> 0.0.0.0 0 32768 i

*> 10.0.1.0/24 10.2.2.2@1< 0 100 0 ?

* 10.1.1.10/32 0.0.0.0 0 32768 ?

*> 0.0.0.0 0 32768 i

*> 10.1.1.100/32 10.3.3.3@1< 0 100 0 ?

*> 10.2.2.20/32 10.2.2.2@1< 0 100 0 ?

Displayed 5 routes and 7 total paths

vSER2> show bgp ipv4 vpn

BGP table version is 5, local router ID is 10.2.2.2, vrf id 0

Default local pref 100, local AS 1000

Status codes: s suppressed, d damped, h history, * valid, > best, = multipath,

i internal, r RIB-failure, S Stale, R Removed

Nexthop codes: @NNN nexthop’s vrf id, < announce-nh-self

Origin codes: i – IGP, e – EGP, ? – incomplete

Network Next Hop Metric LocPrf Weight Path

Route Distinguisher: 1000:1

*>i10.0.0.0/24 10.1.1.1 0 100 0 ?

*> 10.0.1.0/24 0.0.0.0@2< 0 32768 ?

0.0.0.0@2< 0 32768 i

*>i10.1.1.10/32 10.1.1.1 0 100 0 ?

*>i10.1.1.100/32 10.3.3.3 0 100 0 ?

*> 10.2.2.20/32 0.0.0.0@2< 0 32768 ?

Displayed 5 routes and 6 total paths

vSER2>

We verify that the routing tables to Client1 contain the correct routes to reach the adjacent site:

vSER1> show ipv4-routes vrf Client1

Codes: K – kernel route, C – connected, S – static, R – RIP,

O – OSPF, I – IS-IS, B – BGP, E – EIGRP, N – NHRP,

T – Table, v – VNC, V – VNC-Direct, A – Babel, D – SHARP,

F – PBR, f – OpenFabric,

> – selected route, * – FIB route, q – queued route, r – rejected route

VRF Client1:

C>* 10.0.0.0/24 is directly connected, Client1, 00:15:55

B>* 10.0.1.0/24 [200/0] is directly connected, main, label 82/80, 00:15:06

via 10.2.2.2(vrf main) (recursive), label 80, 00:15:06

* via 10.1.2.2, TO-vSER2(vrf main), label implicit-null/80, 00:15:06

C>* 10.1.1.10/32 is directly connected, Loop1, 00:16:06

B>* 10.1.1.100/32 [200/0] is directly connected, main, label 81/80, 00:15:07

via 10.3.3.3(vrf main) (recursive), label 80, 00:15:07

* via 10.1.3.3, TO-vSER3(vrf main), label implicit-null/80, 00:15:07

B>* 10.2.2.20/32 [200/0] is directly connected, main, label 82/80, 00:15:06

via 10.2.2.2(vrf main) (recursive), label 80, 00:15:06

* via 10.1.2.2, TO-vSER2(vrf main), label implicit-null/80, 00:15:06

vSER2> show ipv4-routes vrf Client1

Codes: K – kernel route, C – connected, S – static, R – RIP,

O – OSPF, I – IS-IS, B – BGP, E – EIGRP, N – NHRP,

T – Table, v – VNC, V – VNC-Direct, A – Babel, D – SHARP,

F – PBR, f – OpenFabric,

> – selected route, * – FIB route, q – queued route, r – rejected route

VRF Client1:

B>* 10.0.0.0/24 [200/0] is directly connected, main, label 81/80, 02:02:44

via 10.1.1.1(vrf main) (recursive), label 80, 02:02:44

* via 10.1.2.1, TO-vSER1(vrf main), label implicit-null/80, 02:02:44

C>* 10.0.1.0/24 is directly connected, Client1, 02:03:31

B>* 10.1.1.10/32 [200/0] is directly connected, main, label 81/80, 02:02:44

via 10.1.1.1(vrf main) (recursive), label 80, 02:02:44

* via 10.1.2.1, TO-vSER1(vrf main), label implicit-null/80, 02:02:44

B>* 10.1.1.100/32 [200/0] is directly connected, main, label 83/80, 02:02:37

via 10.3.3.3(vrf main) (recursive), label 80, 02:02:37

* via 10.0.2.10, TO-vP-RR(vrf main), label 21/80, 02:02:37

* via 10.1.2.1, TO-vSER1(vrf main), label 21/80, 02:02:37

* via 10.2.4.4, TO-vSER4(vrf main), label 23/80, 02:02:37

C>* 10.2.2.20/32 is directly connected, Loop2, 02:03:43

A quick look at the mpls forwarding tables and LDP bindings would show us the labels that were allocated for interfaces and prefixes:

vSER1> show mpls table

Inbound Label Type Nexthop Outbound Label

————————————————

16 LDP 10.0.1.10 implicit-null

16 LDP 10.1.2.2 implicit-null

17 LDP 10.0.1.10 implicit-null

17 LDP 10.1.3.3 implicit-null

18 LDP 10.0.1.10 implicit-null

19 LDP 10.1.2.2 implicit-null

20 LDP 10.1.2.2 implicit-null

21 LDP 10.1.3.3 implicit-null

22 LDP 10.1.3.3 implicit-null

23 LDP 10.0.1.10 23

23 LDP 10.1.3.3 21

23 LDP 10.1.2.2 23

24 LDP 10.0.1.10 implicit-null

80 BGP Client1 –

81 BGP 10.1.3.3 implicit-null

82 BGP 10.1.2.2 implicit-null

vSER1> show mpls ldp binding

AF Destination Nexthop Local Label Remote Label In Use

ipv4 10.0.1.0/24 10.2.2.2 imp-null 19 no

ipv4 10.0.1.0/24 10.3.3.3 imp-null 16 no

ipv4 10.0.1.0/24 10.10.10.10 imp-null imp-null no

ipv4 10.0.2.0/24 10.2.2.2 16 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.0.2.0/24 10.3.3.3 16 19 no

ipv4 10.0.2.0/24 10.10.10.10 16 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.0.3.0/24 10.2.2.2 17 20 no

ipv4 10.0.3.0/24 10.3.3.3 17 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.0.3.0/24 10.10.10.10 17 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.0.4.0/24 10.2.2.2 18 16 no

ipv4 10.0.4.0/24 10.3.3.3 18 20 no

ipv4 10.0.4.0/24 10.10.10.10 18 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.1.1.1/32 10.2.2.2 imp-null 21 no

ipv4 10.1.1.1/32 10.3.3.3 imp-null 17 no

ipv4 10.1.1.1/32 10.10.10.10 imp-null 16 no

ipv4 10.1.2.0/24 10.2.2.2 imp-null imp-null no

ipv4 10.1.2.0/24 10.3.3.3 imp-null 18 no

ipv4 10.1.2.0/24 10.10.10.10 imp-null 17 no

ipv4 10.1.3.0/24 10.2.2.2 imp-null 22 no

ipv4 10.1.3.0/24 10.3.3.3 imp-null imp-null no

ipv4 10.1.3.0/24 10.10.10.10 imp-null 18 no

ipv4 10.2.2.2/32 10.2.2.2 19 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.2.2.2/32 10.3.3.3 19 21 no

ipv4 10.2.2.2/32 10.10.10.10 19 21 no

ipv4 10.2.4.0/24 10.2.2.2 20 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.2.4.0/24 10.3.3.3 20 22 no

ipv4 10.2.4.0/24 10.10.10.10 20 22 no

ipv4 10.3.3.3/32 10.2.2.2 21 23 no

ipv4 10.3.3.3/32 10.3.3.3 21 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.3.3.3/32 10.10.10.10 21 19 no

ipv4 10.3.4.0/24 10.2.2.2 22 17 no

ipv4 10.3.4.0/24 10.3.3.3 22 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.3.4.0/24 10.10.10.10 22 20 no

ipv4 10.4.4.4/32 10.2.2.2 23 18 yes

ipv4 10.4.4.4/32 10.3.3.3 23 23 yes

ipv4 10.4.4.4/32 10.10.10.10 23 23 yes

ipv4 10.10.10.10/32 10.2.2.2 24 24 no

ipv4 10.10.10.10/32 10.3.3.3 24 24 no

ipv4 10.10.10.10/32 10.10.10.10 24 imp-null yes

vSER2> show mpls table

Inbound Label Type Nexthop Outbound Label

————————————————

16 LDP 10.0.2.10 implicit-null

16 LDP 10.2.4.4 implicit-null

17 LDP 10.2.4.4 implicit-null

18 LDP 10.2.4.4 implicit-null

19 LDP 10.1.2.1 implicit-null

19 LDP 10.0.2.10 implicit-null

20 LDP 10.0.2.10 implicit-null

21 LDP 10.1.2.1 implicit-null

22 LDP 10.1.2.1 implicit-null

23 LDP 10.1.2.1 21

23 LDP 10.0.2.10 19

23 LDP 10.2.4.4 23

24 LDP 10.0.2.10 implicit-null

80 BGP Client1 –

81 BGP 10.0.2.10 16

82 BGP 10.0.2.10 19

83 BGP 10.1.2.1 implicit-null

vSER2> show mpls ldp binding

AF Destination Nexthop Local Label Remote Label In Use

ipv4 10.0.1.0/24 10.1.1.1 19 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.0.1.0/24 10.4.4.4 19 19 no

ipv4 10.0.1.0/24 10.10.10.10 19 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.0.2.0/24 10.1.1.1 imp-null 16 no

ipv4 10.0.2.0/24 10.4.4.4 imp-null 16 no

ipv4 10.0.2.0/24 10.10.10.10 imp-null imp-null no

ipv4 10.0.3.0/24 10.1.1.1 20 17 no

ipv4 10.0.3.0/24 10.4.4.4 20 20 no

ipv4 10.0.3.0/24 10.10.10.10 20 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.0.4.0/24 10.1.1.1 16 18 no

ipv4 10.0.4.0/24 10.4.4.4 16 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.0.4.0/24 10.10.10.10 16 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.1.1.1/32 10.1.1.1 21 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.1.1.1/32 10.4.4.4 21 21 no

ipv4 10.1.1.1/32 10.10.10.10 21 16 no

ipv4 10.1.2.0/24 10.1.1.1 imp-null imp-null no

ipv4 10.1.2.0/24 10.4.4.4 imp-null 17 no

ipv4 10.1.2.0/24 10.10.10.10 imp-null 17 no

ipv4 10.1.3.0/24 10.1.1.1 22 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.1.3.0/24 10.4.4.4 22 22 no

ipv4 10.1.3.0/24 10.10.10.10 22 18 no

ipv4 10.2.2.2/32 10.1.1.1 imp-null 19 no

ipv4 10.2.2.2/32 10.4.4.4 imp-null 18 no

ipv4 10.2.2.2/32 10.10.10.10 imp-null 21 no

ipv4 10.2.4.0/24

ipv4 10.2.4.0/24 10.4.4.4 imp-null imp-null no

ipv4 10.2.4.0/24 10.10.10.10 imp-null 22 no

ipv4 10.3.3.3/32 10.1.1.1 23 21 yes

ipv4 10.3.3.3/32 10.4.4.4 23 23 yes

ipv4 10.3.3.3/32 10.10.10.10 23 19 yes

ipv4 10.3.4.0/24 10.1.1.1 17 22 no

ipv4 10.3.4.0/24 10.4.4.4 17 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.3.4.0/24 10.10.10.10 17 20 no

ipv4 10.4.4.4/32 10.1.1.1 18 23 no

ipv4 10.4.4.4/32 10.4.4.4 18 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.4.4.4/32 10.10.10.10 18 23 no

ipv4 10.10.10.10/32 10.1.1.1 24 24 no

ipv4 10.10.10.10/32 10.4.4.4 24 24 no

ipv4 10.10.10.10/32 10.10.10.10 24 imp-null yes
vP-RR> show mpls ldp binding

AF Destination Nexthop Local Label Remote Label In Use

ipv4 10.0.1.0/24 10.1.1.1 imp-null imp-null no

ipv4 10.0.1.0/24 10.2.2.2 imp-null 19 no

ipv4 10.0.1.0/24 10.3.3.3 imp-null 16 no

ipv4 10.0.1.0/24 10.4.4.4 imp-null 19 no

ipv4 10.0.2.0/24 10.1.1.1 imp-null 16 no

ipv4 10.0.2.0/24 10.2.2.2 imp-null imp-null no

ipv4 10.0.2.0/24 10.3.3.3 imp-null 19 no

ipv4 10.0.2.0/24 10.4.4.4 imp-null 16 no

ipv4 10.0.3.0/24 10.1.1.1 imp-null 17 no

ipv4 10.0.3.0/24 10.2.2.2 imp-null 20 no

ipv4 10.0.3.0/24 10.3.3.3 imp-null imp-null no

ipv4 10.0.3.0/24 10.4.4.4 imp-null 20 no

ipv4 10.0.4.0/24 10.1.1.1 imp-null 18 no

ipv4 10.0.4.0/24 10.2.2.2 imp-null 16 no

ipv4 10.0.4.0/24 10.3.3.3 imp-null 20 no

ipv4 10.0.4.0/24 10.4.4.4 imp-null imp-null no

ipv4 10.1.1.1/32 10.1.1.1 16 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.1.1.1/32 10.2.2.2 16 21 yes

ipv4 10.1.1.1/32 10.3.3.3 16 17 no

ipv4 10.1.1.1/32 10.4.4.4 16 21 no

ipv4 10.1.2.0/24 10.1.1.1 17 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.1.2.0/24 10.2.2.2 17 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.1.2.0/24 10.3.3.3 17 18 no

ipv4 10.1.2.0/24 10.4.4.4 17 17 no

ipv4 10.1.3.0/24 10.1.1.1 18 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.1.3.0/24 10.2.2.2 18 22 yes

ipv4 10.1.3.0/24 10.3.3.3 18 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.1.3.0/24 10.4.4.4 18 22 no

ipv4 10.2.2.2/32 10.1.1.1 21 19 no

ipv4 10.2.2.2/32 10.2.2.2 21 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.2.2.2/32 10.3.3.3 21 21 no

ipv4 10.2.2.2/32 10.4.4.4 21 18 no

ipv4 10.2.4.0/24 10.1.1.1 22 20 no

ipv4 10.2.4.0/24 10.2.2.2 22 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.2.4.0/24 10.3.3.3 22 22 no

ipv4 10.2.4.0/24 10.4.4.4 22 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.3.3.3/32 10.1.1.1 19 21 no

ipv4 10.3.3.3/32 10.2.2.2 19 23 no

ipv4 10.3.3.3/32 10.3.3.3 19 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.3.3.3/32 10.4.4.4 19 23 no

ipv4 10.3.4.0/24 10.1.1.1 20 22 no

ipv4 10.3.4.0/24 10.2.2.2 20 17 no

ipv4 10.3.4.0/24 10.3.3.3 20 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.3.4.0/24 10.4.4.4 20 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.4.4.4/32 10.1.1.1 23 23 no

ipv4 10.4.4.4/32 10.2.2.2 23 18 no

ipv4 10.4.4.4/32 10.3.3.3 23 23 no

ipv4 10.4.4.4/32 10.4.4.4 23 imp-null yes

ipv4 10.10.10.10/32 10.1.1.1 imp-null 24 no

ipv4 10.10.10.10/32 10.2.2.2 imp-null 24 no

ipv4 10.10.10.10/32 10.3.3.3 imp-null 24 no

ipv4 10.10.10.10/32 10.4.4.4 imp-null 24 no

The following configuration is typical of the virtual CE router used in our setup. The vCE-vPE routing can be a static route, OSPF or eBGP.

CE1> show config nodefault

vrf management

interface

physical management

port pci-b0s3

ipv4

dhcp

dns

server 8.8.8.8

vrf main

routing

static

ipv4-route 0.0.0.0/0

next-hop 10.0.0.1

interface

physical MPLS1

port pci-b0s4

ipv4

address 10.0.0.10/24

system

hostname CE1

license

online

serial

vrf management

..
To test the end-to-end functionality of our setup we will issue the traditional ping between the end client and capture the traffic on outgoing interfaces to check the label advertisements:

vSER2 running config# cmd traffic-capture TO-vP-RR

14:42:08.316163 0c:6c:ef:04:00:04 > 0c:6f:02:17:00:02, ethertype MPLS unicast (0x8847), length 106: MPLS (label 16, exp 0, ttl 63) (label 80, exp 0, [S], ttl 64) 10.0.1.1 > 10.0.0.10: ICMP echo reply, id 6044, seq 45, length 64

vSER1> cmd traffic-capture TO-vP-RR

14:43:55.661653 0c:bb:4a:bd:00:04 > 0c:6f:02:17:00:01, ethertype MPLS unicast (0x8847), length 106: MPLS (label 21, exp 0, ttl 62) (label 80, exp 0, [S], ttl 63) 10.0.0.10 > 10.0.1.1: ICMP echo request, id 6141, seq 1, length 64

14:43:55.662706 0c:6f:02:17:00:01 > 0c:bb:4a:bd:00:04, ethertype MPLS unicast (0x8847), length 106: MPLS (label 21, exp 0, ttl 62) (label 80, exp 0, [S], ttl 64) 10.0.1.1 > 10.0.0.10: ICMP echo reply, id 6141, seq 1, length 64

In the above example, we can see the label 80 assigned by BGP for the VRF Client1 and transport labels from vSER1 and vSER2 are set by LDP to 21 and 16 respectively as already listed in the show mpls table output above.

This concludes our first blog about the 6WIND Virtual Service Router capabilities to operate with MPLS L3VPN functionalities.

In the forthcoming series, we would discuss additional deployment scenarios for MPLS L3VPN and how our technology would help you to transition from traditional hardware vendor lock-in to a virtualized and open deployment model.

We would be glad to get in touch with you should you have any questions related to this post and would be more than happy to discuss further your current and future requirement: marketing@6wind.com

The post How to build MPLS network with 6WIND Virtual Service Router appeared first on The Tiny Tech.

The Best Online Casino Software Provider

Alba Fores — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 12:12:06 +0000

Casinos have taken a radical turn. From the first online casinos, there has been a noticeable difference. For those that have played at some of the first casinos, the difference is quite recognizable, although, to novices, these nuances might not be too obvious. Online casinos are one of the fascinating technologies in the casino world.

Online gaming software companies have painstakingly made gambling software that has held players in awe. Now, gamers can enjoy betting from anywhere around the world, online gambling software providers have made it convenient for players to play from their mobile devices and computers.

The software providers play an important role in designing and structuring the online casino platform. The top enterprises ensure that the casinos have high quality graphic content, optimal web quality development features, and good sound effects. To enjoy all these smooth and enjoyable peculiarities, one should go for online casino game providers that are the most dependable.

Luckily most of these cutting edge casino websites are developed by popular casino software providers. This article will discuss the most reliable betting software companies.

Microgaming

Microgaming was founded in 1994 and is credibly among best online casino software providers. Microgaming hasheld a stellar reputation among online casino software.Since then, it has provided the best casino games, and they are labelled the ‘father of online software providers.’ They have produced numerous services and hundreds of variations of those games, taking gaming to the next level.

The company holds a strong position on a list of online casino software developers; some of the top casino software providers have copied their style due to their success in the gambling industry. This company has produced games with online slots like Mega Moolah; other slot games include Lucky Leprechaun, Jurassic Park and others.

They have also produced roulette and jackpots games and live dealer casino games, and their live dealer games are rich in graphics, modelled in 3d like the games in Betsoft to offer you a worthwhile experience. This online casino software provider undeniably has impacted the online casino software work, and the entire online gambling industry has benefited from how their online casino software works.

Realtime Gaming (RTG)

Real time gaming, also called RTG, offers a variety of slots and has produced several online casino games, ranging from table games to progressive jackpot to video poker. Thus, the players have the luxury to choose from a rich and expansive collection of games. RTG was established in 1998 by Hastings International and moved to Costa Rica due to some issues.

Their gaming experience is unmatched; they are flexible and have patterned with various casinos. This casino is highly reliable; their gambling license permits them to operate legally. It is not a surprise then that they are one of the biggest companies that supply virtual gambling services in the US, leading the virtual betting system to a new height.

IGT

International gaming technology has been operating for about 50 years, quite a long period to make its roots strong in the enterprise. IGT has successfully created games with excellent properties such as Monopoly, Wheel of fortune and Pharaoh’s fortune.

Playtech

The Cypriot-Israeli billionaire teddy Sagi in 1999 in 1999, founded the company intending to deliver a comprehensive gaming solution to virtual casinos, with a similar philosophy like that of Netent, to provide the right place to game. With reliable and outstanding slot machines. Its live games are available on mobile platforms, running on exquisite software which is remarkable. Some games available include Casino Hold ’em, min baccarat and others.

They also operate the successful poker network with an immeasurable number of online games. One of their most famous game series is built around Marvel Comics.

They also provide software that runs up to 600 high-quality virtual betting games, such as King Billy Japan. The provider’s intelligent peculiarities are comparable with that of big time gaming games.

Evolution Gaming

This company is remarkable when it comes to supplying casino and betting software for bookies. Although it was founded recently, they have won some big contracts with a major operator. A fun fact is that they were one of the first to offer mobile real time virtual betting with a speciality in replicating the offline encounter in an online form with games like monopoly and crazytime casino. This enterprise is at the forefront of real time casino streaming solutions, lending users globally an interface to many of the largest brands in the virtual betting system.

They develop a variety of games such as blackjack, roulette, and many more. Their games can be found and try to play in many casino $ 5 deposit if you do not want to risk large deposits. It is very convenient and safe.

The RNG software is not used by this platform, their services streams on tablets from physical studio, and employs the use of physical roulette-wheels and real playing cards; that means that the RTP employed is the same when streaming and when playing at a land-based casino.

Conclusion

Some providers’ specialty is in developing software in a single format. However, that idea is antiquated as most developers create multiple designs, which include download software, instant play software and others. These top betting enterprises want their customers to engage in their best category of betting activity in various formats, as some customers prefer to download software. In contrast, others hold instant betting formats in awe. If you are new to virtual betting, be sure to check the betting as mentioned earlier.

The post The Best Online Casino Software Provider appeared first on The Tiny Tech.

Online Appointment Scheduling Software: A Complete Guide

Alba Fores — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 06:13:41 +0000

For service businesses that rely on client appointments like salons, spas, dental offices, and even law firms, having an optimized, streamlined client booking process is crucial and can literally make or break the business’s success.

Whether the client appointment process is streamlined or not can affect many different aspects of the business: the efficiency of the business operations, client satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue.

On the other hand, in this always-online day and age, clients simply expect 24/7 online appointment capability. In fact, in a recent study, 40% of appointments actually happen after hours. This is where integrating an online appointment scheduling software solution is now crucial for service businesses that want to stay competitive.

In this guide to the online appointment scheduling software, we’ll discuss how this solution will help improve your business’s performance, save you time, reduce your (and your staff’s) stress level, and ultimately, help you attract more clients.

Without further ado, let us begin.

Online Appointment Scheduling Software: The Concept

What is online appointment scheduling software?

Simply put, it’s a software solution or application that allows you to integrate online booking functionalities on your website.

While different software solutions might offer different features, most of these solutions offer an online interactive calendar as their core features. Clients can view this online calendar and check for available time slots, and then can book these slots with just a few simple clicks and after submitting a streamlined registration form.

With an online appointment scheduling software, businesses can add online booking functionalities on their website, email, social pages, apps, and other platforms, and you’ll also get administrative features to allow you easily track and manage your booked appointments and schedule from any device.

Benefits of Online Appointment Scheduling

While the advantage of integrating an online appointment scheduling system might seem obvious at first glance, many service businesses are still reluctant to adopt one.

After all, there’s the initial cost tied to investing in a brand new system, and we’ll also need to train ourselves and our team on how to use a brand new workflow. By learning the benefits of having an online appointment scheduling solution below, you’ll have a better understanding of why you’ll need to invest in an online appointment solution ASAP:

You can take bookings 24/7

As discussed, many potential clients now prefer to book their appointments outside business hours, and today’s always-online clients simply don’t want to wait until you are in the office once they’ve made a decision to book an appointment: they’ll simply move to your competitors.

Having an online appointment scheduling software simply means your business is open 24/7 and maximizes your reach.

Reduce no-shows and impact of cancellations

Clients who book their own appointments online are more likely to show up, and an advanced online appointment scheduling software like Bookeo can send automatic notifications and appointment reminders to your clients, which many studies have suggested to be effective in reducing no-shows.

On the other hand, if a client does need to cancel (which will happen), due to the automatic calendar sync, the spot automatically opens online to other clients, so they can book it. This allows you to reduce the chance of unused time slots and maximize reservations.

Reduce stress and saves time

Manual, phone-based reservation is stressful and time-consuming, period. Not to mention, you (or your staff) will not always be available to pick up the phone. When a client gets routed to a voicemail, they may go straight to your competitors, and so you’ll lose this client.

An online appointments scheduling solution allows clients to book appointments on their own time, while also saving your staff’s valuable time, improving their morale, and allows them to be more productive.

Fast and secure online payment

Another key advantage of having a functional online booking system is that you can require payments to prepay (fully or partially) your services, so you’ll get paid faster for a healthier cash flow. Also, by requiring your clients to pay upfront (at least partially), you can further reduce the risk of no-shows.

By offering secure payment options, you’ll also establish credibility with potential clients so they’ll feel more confident in doing business with you.

Automatic calendar sync

Proper online appointment scheduling software will offer automated calendar synchronization: when a client books a time slot, your calendar/schedule will be updated in almost real-time.

With this function, you’ll have an easier time keeping track of your calendar since you can check availability and appointments at any time and from any device. You’ll always know the status of your business and manage your calendar in your preference.

Seamless implementation

Many business owners and managers think that implementing online booking in their business will be challenging with a steep learning curve, but it can’t be further from the truth. Modern online appointment scheduling software like Bookeo is intuitive and easy to learn. While it does require an adaptation period, in the long run, it will be much easier to use than the traditional phone-based reservation. Even for those that are technology-challenged, it’s very easy to integrate Bookeo into your existing system.

Analytics and reporting

Online appointment scheduling software solutions typically offer a dashboard of analytics and the ability to generate useful reports to provide you with valuable insights that can help you grow your business. You can, for example, analyze the most requested time slots (and the worst-performing ones) so you can adjust your marketing strategy accordingly.

Improves client experience

Implementation of an online appointment scheduling software will ultimately improve your client’s overall experience with your business. Clients can book their appointments quickly and easily according to their preferences, and they’ll get automated reminders and notifications so they won’t forget their appointments.

In the end, happier clients will translate to more business, and they’ll also recommend your services to their peers and family.

Closing Thoughts

Integrating an online appointment scheduling software will provide so many benefits to your service business: saving you more time, improving your team’s morale, and ultimately, improving your client’s experience in interacting with your business.

Having an online appointment system will help you attract more clients, secure more bookings, while at the same time improving the efficiency of your day-to-day operations.

The post Online Appointment Scheduling Software: A Complete Guide appeared first on The Tiny Tech.

What Is Antivirus Software And How Can It Help You Stay Safe?

Alba Fores — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 10:06:49 +0000

Cyber Security is one of the most critical aspects of working online today. With many of us constantly connected to the internet for work (whether at home or the office), our computers and devices are often at risk. Preventing issues caused by viruses, malware, and other attacks is all part of the process. Smart devices and computers are vulnerable and sometimes you need a little extra security and protection for your devices.

Using an antivirus program should be one of the first steps to take to secure your computer’s safety. But what is an antivirus? How does it protect you? And is it worthwhile? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more. Check it out below.

Contents

1. What Is An Antivirus?

2. Why Do You Need One?

3. Common Security Threats

4. Finding The Right Antivirus

5. Conclusion

What Is An Antivirus?

An antivirus is a program or toolset designed for the purpose of finding and destroying viruses and malware. The difference between a virus and malware is fairly straightforward as well. Malware is a term encompassing many different types of malicious software that can infect and cause damage to your computer or device. Trojans, worms, ransomware, and most other malicious programs that try to access other systems fall into this category. A virus is a self-replicating malwarethat inserts its own code into another program. An antivirus works by scanning the code and files moving through your system and comparing their signatures to the signatures of viruses/malware in the program’s database. The antivirus can isolate and destroy any viruses it detects and keeping the program updated helps prevent new viruses and malware from slipping through the cracks.

Why Do You Need One?

An antivirus is an effective means to be proactive against new threats and wipe out current threats. As long as it stays up-to-date with the most current virus definitions, antivirus is a powerful tool in the ongoing war against viruses and malware. The second you connect the device to the Internet, the onslaught of viruses and potential malware infections begins. It’s just an unfortunate part of working online. Antivirus actively guards against these attacks and tries to stay ahead of the game as much as possible to provide more effective protection. Antivirus can also supply insight into your computer’s overall health.

Common Security Threats

Computer viruses aren’t the only threats facing users every day. Privacy concerns and data theft are pretty high on the list, but Ransomware takes the winning spot as the most significant threat facing the connected world at the moment. Other common security threats include:

Fraud
Phishing
Spam
Malware (worms, Trojans, and similar)
Spyware
Ransomware
Adware
Drive-by downloads
Social engineering
Breaches

Protection against these threats can be as simple as using a firewall and basic security measures. For the best results, however, using a security suite with an antivirus is probably the best course of action in most cases.

Finding The Right Antivirus

Choosing an antivirus program comes down to a number of factors. There are both free and paid options available. A free one might work out as a good option for scanning, but paid/subscription antivirus software have built-in additional services that can protect users in real-time, prevent malware infections, safeguard privacy, and block malicious websites/phishing attempts in a fast and efficient way. It’s best to look for a variety of options in your software and go with either a maximum or premium security suite. Look into user reviews of the service and gauge how it’s worked out for them, its pros and cons, and any additional insights the reviews can offer. Decide on what kind of extra features you’ll need, like parental controls or a VPN in internetetsecurite. Finally, you’ll want something user-friendly that won’t hog system resources and is easy to use right out of the box.

Conclusion

Keeping yourself safe online should be a top priority. Whether you’re working from home, shopping, enjoying a film, or just browsing the internet, remember that your data is out there. And wherever there is data, there’s likely someone out there looking to take advantage of poor security practices to make a profit off someone else’s misfortune. That’s why it’s so imperative to ensure you’re following robust security measures and supplementing them with powerful antivirus/anti-malware protection. At the end of the day, you’ll be glad you did.

The post What Is Antivirus Software And How Can It Help You Stay Safe? appeared first on The Tiny Tech.