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BGP Policy: Route Maps, Filters & Traffic Engineering

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BGP policy: the internet runs on configuration

BGP selects the 'best' path based on a multi-step decision process. Policy tools — route maps, prefix lists, communities — manipulate BGP attributes to influence which path is chosen.

The key distinction: outbound traffic (where you send) is controlled with local-preference on routes you receive. Inbound traffic (where others send to you) is influenced with AS path prepending and MED — you're asking your neighbors to prefer certain paths.

Packets in motion — click to inspect:

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