BGP4 (Border Gateway
Protocol version 4) is the de facto
standard
inter-domain
routing protocol deployed in the
Internet
today. As the
means by which Internet destinations are communicated
between
subscribers and service providers,
BGP4 provides a critical
function for
Internet operations. Whether you are associated with an
Internet
service provider or are a system administrator at an
organization whose
business depends heavily on the Internet, a background in
BGP4 is
essential.
BGP4: Inter-Domain Routing in the Internet provides
a practical
introduction to the TCP/IP protocol suite and to routing in
general. This
concise guide describes the BGP protocol in clear terms and
explains
messages and rules for processing information through the
protocol. In
addition to illustrating low-level details of the protocol,
the author
examines the conceptual way that BGP works in practical
networks,
the way that BGP4 interacts with other parts of a network,
and other
details important to its operation. This book also covers
the many
extensions that have been made to the original
specification to increase
the protocols' usability and scope of operation.
Specifically, you will find coverage of such key topics
as:
- IP base protocol, including the packet formats,
addressing and
routing, and other protocol rules
- Autonomous systems and the distinction between IGPs
and
EGPs
- Distance Vector versus Link State Routing
Protocols
- CIDR and how it relates to BGP4
- Operational details essential to using BGP
- BGP message types, path attributes, and the route
selection
process
- Singly homed and multihomed subscribers
- BGP interaction with IGP
- Internal BGP scaling
- TCP MD5 authentication
- Other extensions to the protocol
In addition, this book offers a revealing look into how
large ISPs work
with BGP4, including a discussion on aggregation, filtering
transit
customers, and public interconnect points. Numerous
real-world
examples throughout the book demonstrate concepts and
implementation techniques.