BGP As_path Attribute



As_path Attribute




Whenever a route update passes through an AS, the AS number is prepended to that update. The AS_path attribute is actually the list of AS numbers that a route has traversed in order to reach a destination.

An AS−SET is an ordered mathematical set {} of all the ASs that have been traversed. An example of AS−SET is given later.

In the above example, network 190.10.0.0 is advertised by RTB in AS200, when that route traverses AS300 and RTC will append its own AS number to it. So when 190.10.0.0 reaches RTA it will have two AS numbers attached to it: first 200 then 300. So as far as RTA is concerned the path to reach 190.10.0.0 is (300,200).

The same applies for 170.10.0.0 and 180.10.0.0. RTB will have to take path (300,100) i.e. traverse AS300 and then AS100 in order to reach 170.10.0.0. RTC will have to traverse path (200) in order to reach 190.10.0.0 and path (100) in order to reach 170.10.0.0.