Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)

Border Gateway Protocol: The Language of Internet Routing
The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is the primary system used to manage how data travels between different networks, or autonomous systems, across the global internet. It functions as a path-vector protocol that evaluates specific rules and administrative policies to select the most efficient route for information to follow. Within a single network, it is classified as Internal BGP, while the version connecting separate organizations is known as External BGP. To maintain stability and scale effectively, the protocol utilizes specialized structures like route reflectors and confederations to manage complex connection requirements. Over time, the system has evolved to support modern needs through Multiprotocol Extensions and the transition to 32-bit autonomous system numbers. Despite its critical role, BGP remains susceptible to security vulnerabilities like hijacking, as it traditionally trusts unverified route advertisements by default.