21.11 AUTONOMOUS SYSTEM

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21.11 AUTONOMOUS SYSTEM

A site may have a large number of networks within one administrative control. Such a system is called an autonomous system. This system can be connected to the external Internet through one or more routers. To provide efficient routing, the entire system appears as a single entity on the external Internet and not as multiple networks. Within the system, how the routing is to be done can be decided by the administrative authority. To provide the necessary routing information to the external Internet, one or more routers will be acting as the interface.

An autonomous system is a network of computer networks within one administrative control. An autonomous system can use its own routing protocols.

Each autonomous system is given an autonomous system number by a central authority.

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