# GateD R4_0 Documentation

If you are reading this file as the `README` file in a GateD distribution, it was converted to plain text for the distribution. The `INSTALL` file in this directory has also been converted from `HTML`to plain text. To view the GateD documentation with an HTML viewer, point it at `doc/main.html`.

The GateD web pages at www.gated.org has the latest on-line documentation for the following versions of GateD:

- Gated-old (version 3.0)
- GateD (version 3.5)
- GateD -alpha (version 3.6)
- GateD-Unicast (version 4.0)
- GateD-Multicast (version 5.0)
- GateD-IPv6 (version 6.0)

## Contents

The document consists of the following sections:

### Chapter 1 - Quick Start

> Instructions on how to get Gated up and running on your machine.

### Chapter 2 - Trouble Shooting

> First steps in trouble shooting GateD problems. Follow the simple steps to try to find your problems. If you need assistance or have any questions, don't bang your head against the wall. Post to the mailing list. There are many people with GateD experience who may be able to take a moment to help. When reporting, please take time to gather the information necessary to enable others to help you.

### Chapter 3 - Merit GateD Consortium

> Information about the Merit GateD Consortium including how to become a

> member of the GateD Consortium.

### Chapter 4 - Support Information

Provides mail lists and other support information.

### Chapter 5 - Installation Guide

  Describes how to configure and install gated.

### Chapter 6 - Configuration Guide

  Describes the GateD configuration file in excruciating detail.

### Chapter 7 - Operations Guide

  Describes the command line options and signals that GateD supports as well as the various support programs included.

## What is GateD?

GateD is a modular software program consisting of core services, a routing database, and protocol modules supporting multiple routing protocols (RIP versions 1 and 2, DCN HELLO, OSPF version 2, EGP version 2 and BGP version 2 through 4.) GateD was first used to interconnect the NSFNET and the emerging regional networks, and to implement filtered routing based on policy. GateD allows the network administrator to control import and export of routing information by individual protocol, by source and destination autonomous system, source and destination interface, previous hop router, and specific destination address. The network administrator can specify a preference level for each combination of routing information being imported by using a flexible masking capability. Once the preference levels are assigned, GateD makes a decision on which route to use independent of the protocols involved.

GateD is designed to handle dynamic routing with a routing database built from information exchanged by routing protocols.

Last updated April 24, 1997