What This Document Is
This is a detailed exploration of interdomain routing, a core component of the Internet’s infrastructure, designed for students in an introductory communication networks course. It delves into the complexities of how different networks – known as Autonomous Systems – connect and exchange routing information. The material originates from an upper-division undergraduate course at the University of California, Berkeley, and provides a foundational understanding of the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP).
Why This Document Matters
This resource is ideal for students seeking a deeper understanding of the Internet’s architecture and the protocols that enable global communication. It’s particularly valuable for those preparing for more advanced coursework in networking, or for anyone interested in the engineering principles behind the Internet. Understanding interdomain routing is crucial for anyone pursuing a career in network engineering, cybersecurity, or related fields. It will help you grasp the challenges of managing a network of networks and the trade-offs involved in routing decisions.
Topics Covered
* The fundamental reasons for the existence of BGP and interdomain routing.
* The structure of the Internet as a collection of Autonomous Systems (ASes).
* The different types of relationships between ASes (customer, provider, peer).
* The concepts of border routers and internal routers within an AS.
* The limitations of traditional routing algorithms when applied to interdomain scenarios.
* An introduction to path-vector routing and its advantages.
* Considerations of policy and privacy in interdomain routing.
What This Document Provides
* A clear explanation of the logical hierarchy of routing – network, intradomain, and interdomain.
* An overview of the key issues driving the design of BGP.
* A discussion of how routing policies influence traffic flow between ASes.
* An exploration of loop detection mechanisms in path-vector routing.
* Insights into the trade-offs between shortest path routing and policy-based routing.
* A foundation for understanding potential future developments in BGP.
