Description: An Autonomous System (AS) is a set of IP addresses and routers under the control of a single administrative entity that presents a common routing policy. In the context of BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), a Local AS specifically refers to the autonomous system from which a particular router announces its routes to external peers. This concept is fundamental for managing routing on the Internet, as it allows different autonomous systems to communicate and share information about available routes. Each AS is identified by a unique number, known as an ASN (Autonomous System Number), which is assigned by organizations such as IANA or regional Internet registries. The ability of an AS to manage its own routing and traffic policies is crucial for the efficiency and stability of the global network. Additionally, the Local AS plays an important role in routing decision-making, as routers use Local AS information to determine the best path for data traffic. In summary, the Local AS is an essential component in the architecture of the Internet, facilitating interconnection and information exchange between different networks.
