General

Autonomous System

  • Group of IP networks, run by one or more network operators, Adminstrative entitty (ISPs, Enterprise, Mobile Networks, Telecomm Network Operators..)
  • So essentially, a Self operating network (of a large scale or ?) with self managed routing policy

ASN: A Number for identification for the ASes, assigned by internet registries Here are some regional internet registries

  • ARIN: American Registry of internet numbers, North America
  • APNIC: Asia Pacific
  • AFRNIC: Africa
  • RIPE: Regional Internet Registry for Europe, Middle East and Central Asia
  • LACNIC: Latin America and Caribbean

So internet is routing between ASes?