BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the Internet's inter-domain routing protocol. Networks announce which IP prefixes they can reach, and routers choose paths using attributes such as AS path length and local policy.

Why it matters

Every large provider, cloud company and hosting network uses BGP to tell the world where its IP blocks live. Because routing is based largely on trust between networks, a mistaken or malicious announcement (a route leak or hijack) can send traffic to the wrong place or take a service offline for many users. RPKI is used to validate who may originate a prefix.

Example

203.0.113.0/24   AS path: 64500 64510 64496

The prefix is originated by AS64496 and reached through AS64510 and then AS64500. Shorter paths are generally preferred, subject to policy.

Common mistakes

Thinking BGP chooses the fastest path. It follows business policy and AS path length, not measured latency.
Announcing prefixes without filters, risking accidental leaks.
Overlooking BGP as a root cause when only some regions can reach a site.

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