Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is the routing protocol that powers the Internet, responsible for exchanging routing information between different networks (Autonomous Systems) to determine the most efficient paths for delivering Internet traffic.

How does it work?

  • Routers in different Autonomous Systems establish a BGP connection (peering).
  • They exchange information about reachable networks (IP prefixes).
  • Each router evaluates multiple routes.
  • The best route is selected using BGP attributes and policies.
  • Routing information is continuously updated across the Internet.
Associated Terms

  • BGP Hijacking: This occurs when a network maliciously or accidentally broadcasts that it owns an IP address range that it actually doesn’t. Traffic meant for a legitimate service (like a bank or social media site) gets routed to the wrong destination, potentially leading to data interception or total blackouts.
  • BGP Leaks: A configuration error where an AS inadvertently announces a set of routing prefixes beyond its intended scope, causing massive traffic bottlenecks across the internet.

 

Source: The Indian Express