What is the primary purpose of BGP?

The primary purpose of BGP, or Border Gateway Protocol, is to exchange routing information between different autonomous systems (AS) on the Internet. BGP plays a crucial role in the global routing framework, enabling routers in different networks to communicate and share information about how to reach various IP address prefixes. By establishing this inter-domain routing, BGP allows for the creation of a cohesive and functional internet by facilitating the exchange of reachability information, which includes best path selection and redundancy.

This process enables ISPs and large organizations to make informed decisions about the most efficient routes to send data, ensuring that information can traverse the complex web of interconnected networks. Therefore, the importance of BGP in maintaining the operability of the Internet cannot be overstated, as it is vital in ensuring traffic can flow efficiently and reliably across various networks.