In the context of BGP, what does AS represent?

In the context of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), AS stands for Autonomous System. An Autonomous System is a collection of IP networks and routing policies that operates under a single technical administration. Each AS is assigned a unique Autonomous System Number (ASN) which is used in BGP to facilitate routing decisions between different networks on the internet.

The concept of an Autonomous System is fundamental to understanding BGP as it helps in the identification of the paths that data can take across the vast network of interconnected systems. BGP uses this concept to maintain and share routing information effectively, allowing for efficient routing decisions that adhere to the policies defined by each AS.

Understanding this terminology is crucial for networking professionals, particularly those involved in routing and internet connectivity, as it directly affects how data is managed and directed between different networks globally.