Install irrtoolset with Homebrew, MacPorts

Project links

• Homepage
• Upstream docs
• Package manager page

Commands and aliases

• peval
• rpslcheck
• rtconfig

Project history

The GitHub README defines IRRToolSet as tools for Internet routing policies stored in IRRs using Routing Policy Specification Language, with the goal of helping engineers automate router configuration, analyze routing policy, and maintain policy data. The README also notes the project's long history and mixed copyright across several parties.

RIPE NCC's archived project page says the Internet Routing Registry ToolSet project moved to Internet Systems Consortium maintenance. The preserved NEWS file shows an even older RAToolSet/IRRToolSet lineage, including RPSL implementation in 4.0.0, full RPSL compliance in 4.4.0, JunOS support in 4.6.0, RPSLng and IPv6-related work in 4.8.x, a 5.0.0 reorganization that left rtconfig, peval, and rpslcheck, and a 5.1.0 semantic-versioning release line.

Adoption history

IRRToolSet belongs to the operational ecosystem around RADb, RIPE, and other IRR databases. The Merit-operated irr.net overview says the IRR emerged early in 1995 as providers prepared for the end of the NSFNET Backbone Service and the commercial Internet, and it points users to IRRToolSet on GitHub. That context explains why the package persists: network operators still need ways to query and transform IRR/RPSL policy data.

Homebrew and MacPorts packaging make IRRToolSet available outside router-vendor environments, especially for engineers who want `peval`, `rpslcheck`, or `rtconfig` on a workstation. The upstream README also names bgpq4 as a better-maintained alternative for users seeking a fast IRRDB client.

How it is used

`peval` evaluates policy expressions, `rpslcheck` checks RPSL objects, and `rtconfig` generates router configuration from IRR policy. APNIC documentation describes tools such as IRRToolSet as useful for suggesting CIDR aggregates, checking aut-num objects and routes, and performing RPSL syntax checks.

Why package nerds care

IRRToolSet is significant because it packages a piece of Internet routing operations history. It encodes old but still recognizable assumptions about IRR data, Cisco and JunOS configuration generation, IPv4/IPv6 policy evolution, and RPSL/RPSLng syntax, making it both useful tooling and a fossil record of how operators automated BGP policy.

Timeline

• 1995: The global IRR effort emerged as providers prepared for the post-NSFNET commercial Internet.
• IRRToolSet 4.0.0: RPSL support was implemented.
• IRRToolSet 4.4.0: The NEWS file described the toolset as fully RPSL compliant.
• IRRToolSet 4.6.0: JunOS support was added to RtConfig.
• IRRToolSet 4.8.x: RPSLng and IPv6-related support was added and refined.
• IRRToolSet 5.0.0: The package was substantially reorganized, leaving rtconfig, peval, and rpslcheck.
• 2016: IRRToolSet 5.1.0 began a semantic-versioning release line.
• 2019: GitHub releases list IRRToolSet 5.1.3.

Related projects

• IRRToolSet is related to RADb, IRRd, RIPE Database tooling, RPSL, RPSLng, bgpq4, router configuration generators, and BGP policy operations.

Sources

• https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/irrtoolset
• https://github.com/irrtoolset/irrtoolset
• https://irr.net/overview/
• https://raw.githubusercontent.com/irrtoolset/irrtoolset/master/NEWS
• https://www.apnic.net/manage-ip/apnic-services/routing-registry/
• https://www.radb.net/
• https://www.ripe.net/analyse/archived-projects/irrtoolset/