Understanding the Network: A Practical Guide to Internetworking

TCP/IP Exterior Gateway Protocols

Exterior routing protocols (ERPs) are used primarily in Internet backbone networks that connect internetworks. ERPs send information the same way RIP does: as a vector (the AS number) and as a distance (the destination network information). A simple way of looking at ERPs is as a means for distributing static routes between internetworks.

Autonomous Systems and Exterior Routing

Routing between autonomous systems or exterior routing is strictly an Internet convention. What was once a practice undertaken by a chosen few is now (with more and more networks connecting to the Internet) becoming a commonplace activity. ERPs were created to provide a more efficient way to build and manage Internet backbone routing ...