[Uk-dxcluster] Network loops again

[uk-dxcluster at dxcluster.org]

Hi folks, all of a sudden we seem to be suffering from looped network 
connectivity that, as usual, is playing havoc with GB7DXC and its users.

Under normal conditions GB7DXC connects solely to GB7BAA and is at the 
end of a branch of the network; this means that all the other UK nodes should 
see us as being connected to 'BAA.  However....

Since last night 'DXC has shown as being connected into the UK network via 
various nodes other than 'BAA; for example at the moment GB7DJK shows 
us as coming in through IZ5FSA-6; GB7IMK shows us as connected via 
GB7DXA; GB7DXA shows connections via 'DJK and PA6NL-1; GB7NHR 
shows a connection via GB7MBC; and GB7MBC shows connections via 
GB7NHR and GB7BAA.

The cause of such looped connections has in the past usually been someone 
putting on a new link to an out-of-UK node; this propagates the UK node 
tables into Europe (and beyond) and then back into the UK via another route 
with the result that UK nodes don't know what's connected to where!

We would appreciate it greatly if you could have a look at your connections, 
especially those that go outside the UK, and check that unnecessary node 
table information isn't being propagated more widely than is absolutely 
necessary.  At one time there was a 'gentleman's agreement' amongst 
sysops that all out-of-UK connections would go through one gateway, so that 
these sorts of problems were avoided.

Thanks in advance for your assistance; our users will be most appreciative if 
we can get this sorted.

--
73 de Martin G0HDB, GB7DXC sysop
(and Cheltenham Cluster Support Group Membership Secretary & Treasurer)
g0hdb at amdavies.demon.co.uk