Compatible Systems 5.4 - Manual (Page 269)

Chapter 16 - BGP 263
Chapter 16 - BGP
This chapter explains how to modify parameters that affect the way Border
Gateway Protocol (BGP) operates. These parameters are global to the device
and are not associated with a particular interface.
BGP is an exterior gateway protocol that runs on the Internet backbone and
allows Autonomous Systems to exchange routing information with each
other. BGP Autonomous Systems are separately administered sites which run
other routing protocols such as RIP or OSPF internal to the site. Internet
Service Providers are transit AS’s, which means that Internet traffic passes
through their Autonomous System. Companies such as Compatible Systems
are also separate AS’s, but are only a termination and origination point for
Internet traffic.
BGP routers communicate via the TCP protocol. BGP routers that have estab-
lished a BGP session are called BGP peers.
BGP General Dialog Box
To access this dialog box, select BGP/BGP General from the device view.
BGP General Dialog Box
Enable BGP
This checkbox turns BGP on globally for this device.
v Note: You must also configure BGP peers to enable BGP. If no peers have
been configured, BGP will not operate on the router, even if the Enable BGP
box has been checked. BGP peers are configured later in this chapter.
Autonomous System
This number specifies the Autonomous System (AS) to which this router
belongs. An AS must be assigned a unique 16-bit number by the American
Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN). If an installation has only one ISP, the
AS will be provided.