Frequently Asked Questions
What is BGP and why is it important?
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is the routing protocol that makes the internet work. It's responsible for determining how data is routed between different networks (Autonomous Systems or ASes) across the internet. BGP is crucial because it enables networks to exchange routing information, ensuring that internet traffic takes efficient paths to reach destinations.
What is an ASN?
An Autonomous System Number (ASN) is a unique identifier assigned to an autonomous system (AS), which is a network or group of networks managed by a single organization. ASNs are essential for BGP routing and are typically assigned to Internet Service Providers (ISPs), large companies, universities, and other organizations that manage their own blocks of IP addresses.
How do I use the BGP Lookup tool?
To use our BGP Lookup tool, simply select whether you want to search by ASN or IP address. For ASN lookups, enter either the number (e.g., 15169) or with the 'AS' prefix (e.g., AS15169). For IP lookups, enter a valid IPv4 address (e.g., 8.8.8.8). The tool will return information about the network, including organization details, country, and peer connections.
What can I learn from a BGP lookup?
A BGP lookup can reveal valuable information about a network, including who owns it (the operating organization), what country it's based in, what IP prefixes they announce, and their relationships with other networks. This data is useful for network diagnostics, security research, and understanding internet routing.
Why would I need to check BGP information?
There are many reasons to check BGP information. Network administrators use it to troubleshoot routing issues, security researchers use it to track network ownership and changes, and businesses use it to understand their dependence on various network providers. It's also useful for investigating the source of malicious traffic.
What's the difference between peers and upstreams?
In BGP terminology, peers are networks that exchange traffic on a relatively equal basis, often without charging each other for the traffic exchanged. Upstreams, on the other hand, are provider networks that a customer network pays to carry their traffic to the broader internet. Understanding these relationships helps visualize how traffic flows through the internet.