What is BGP?
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the de facto inter-domain routing protocol used to exchange routing information between autonomous systems (ASes).
What is the purpose of AS-path in BGP?
BGP uses AS-path information to prevent routing loops.
Where is BGP defined?
BGP is defined in RFC 4271 and operates over TCP port 179.
What is an Autonomous System Number (ASN)?
An ASN uniquely identifies each AS; public ASNs range from 1–64511.
What is the difference between eBGP and iBGP?
eBGP is used between ASes; iBGP is used within the same AS.
What attributes does BGP use for route selection?
BGP selects the best path using attributes like Weight, Local Preference, AS Path, Origin, MED, eBGP over iBGP, and Router ID.
What is Weight in BGP?
Weight is Cisco-specific and highest wins (local to router).
What is Local Preference in BGP?
Local Preference is AS-wide; higher is preferred.
How does BGP prefer AS Path?
Shorter paths are preferred.
What is Multi-Exit Discriminator (MED)?
MED is lower is better; used to influence inbound traffic.
What are the types of BGP messages?
BGP message types include OPEN, UPDATE, KEEPALIVE, and NOTIFICATION.
What does the OPEN message do?
The OPEN message establishes a BGP session.
What does the UPDATE message do?
The UPDATE message advertises or withdraws routes.
What does the KEEPALIVE message do?
The KEEPALIVE message maintains session liveliness.
What does the NOTIFICATION message do?
The NOTIFICATION message signals errors and tears down the session.
What are Well-Known Mandatory BGP attributes?
Well-Known Mandatory attributes include AS_PATH, NEXT_HOP, ORIGIN.
What are Well-Known Discretionary BGP attributes?
Well-Known Discretionary attribute is LOCAL_PREF.
What are Optional Transitive BGP attributes?
Optional Transitive attributes include COMMUNITY, AGGREGATOR.
What are Optional Non-Transitive BGP attributes?
Optional Non-Transitive attributes include MED, ORIGINATOR_ID.
What is route dampening in BGP?
Route dampening suppresses flapping routes.
What is prefix filtering in BGP?
Prefix filtering prevents route leaks and hijacks.
What is BGP TTL Security (GTSM)?
BGP TTL Security (GTSM) mitigates spoofed eBGP sessions.
What is MD5 authentication in BGP?
MD5 authentication secures BGP sessions (though now deprecated in favor of TCP-AO).
What is required for full mesh iBGP?
Full mesh iBGP is required unless using route reflectors or confederations.