What is MBGP?

MBGP stands for Multiprotocol Extensions for BGP or Border Gateway Protocol. MBGP basically serves as an additional path or extension for multiple addresses so that these may be distributed and directed in a parallel manner. Because of this extension, multicast or multi-protocol routing over the internet becomes a possibility and it allows interaction among multicast topologies that exist in a standard BGP system. It is for this reason that MBGP may also be referred to as “multicast” BGP system or simply “multiprotocol BGP”.

The BGP or Border Gateway Protocol is able to carry two IP (Internet Protocol) routes. One of which is specifically designed and configured for single or unicast routing while the other route is intended for multicast or multiple protocols. This route is the gateway that is used by the PIM or Protocol Independent Multicast in its function to create information and data distribution trees. The PIM is also needed by the MBGP in terms of forwarding multicast or multiprotocol traffic.

Because of the enhancement or extension to the existing BGP technology, MBGP is considered very useful in cases wherein a particular link is supposed to allow multicast traffic. This concept can be applied when this particular link is required to redirect traffic and allocate resources for a specific task or application to run. Through the multiple routes available, multiple traffic can be controlled for improved system efficiency. Traditional BGP only supports IPv4 addresses only which are designed for unicast traffic. MBGP meanwhile is able to support both IPv4 and IPv6 types of addresses, including unicast and multicast versions for both types. Another great thing about MBGP is that it allows topology information to be swapped separately from generic IPv4-based routers. This simply means that the multi-protocol routing has a different and independent system from that of unicast routing provided by BGP only.