Tech Note: Using BGP Local-AS with Equinix Internet Access over Fabric (EIAoF) and Network Edge
Welcome to the Equinix Community! We know you’re always looking for ways to maximize your connectivity, and sometimes technical limitations can be a hurdle. This post dives into a handy BGP feature called Local-AS that helps our Equinix Internet Access over Fabric (EIAoF) customers navigate a current setup requirement. We’ll provide a brief description of BGP Local-AS, a high-level overview of how it works in practice, and how it enables you to maintain your public Autonomous System Number (ASN) while at the same time using an Equinix-assigned private ASN currently required by EIAoF. What is BGP Local-AS? BGP Local-AS is a feature supported by most major network vendors that lets a BGP-speaking device appear to belong to an ASN different from its globally configured one. While it’s not part of the official BGP standard, it’s a powerful feature typically used during major network events like merging autonomous systems or transitioning to a new ASN. For EIAoF customers, it provides a clean, effective method to accommodate the current requirement to use a private ASN for your BGP session. The best part? Once EIAoF is updated to fully support public ASNs, you can simply remove the Local-AS configuration, or even leave it in place until you’re ready for a future transition! How BGP Local-AS Works with EIAoF The picture below provides only the relevant configuration snippets needed to convey the concept of using BGP Local-AS. It's presented using classic, non Address Family Cisco configuration syntax. An explanation of the relevant configuration variables and commands are explained below the picture. This short post is only intended to help readers understand how local-as can be used with EIAoF and is not intended to represent a complete BGP configuration nor an in-depth overview of local-as capabilities. Figure 1 – BGP Local-AS Example Dynamic Configuration Variables Equinix Assigned Primary IPv4 Peering Subnet: 192.0.2.0/30 Equinix Assigned Secondary IPv4 Peering Subnet: 192.0.2.4/30 Equinix Assigned Private ASN: 65000 Customer Public Autonomous System Number (ASN): 64500 Customer Public IPv4 Prefix: 203.0.113.0/24 A Side Key Configuration Command References router bgp 64500 ⬅️ Customer’s public ASN Customer router BGP ASN. This is the ASN BGP speakers use for peering (when not using local-as.) neighbor 192.0.2.1 remote-as 15830 ⬅️ EIA public ASN Defines the BGP connection to the EIA edge gateway router. neighbor 192.0.2.1 local-as 65000 ⬅️ Equinix Assigned Private ASN This makes the EIA edge gateway see this peer as belonging to the private AS 65000 instead of 64500. This router will also prepend AS 65000 to all updates sent to the EIA edge gateway. EIA Edge Gateway Router A *> 203.0.113.0 192.0.2.2 0 0 65000 64500 i The output above is an excerpt from the BGP table on the example EIA router A edge gateway. The fact this prefix appears in the BGP table with the associated ASNs confirms successful peering between EIA and the customer router using AS 65000. You can also see the AS-PATH of the prefix received lists the customer’s real AS, 64500, as the origination AS with the private ASN, 65000, prepended to it. When EIA advertises this prefix to external peers it will strip the private ASN, 65000, and prepend 15830 in its place. This will result in external peers seeing the 203.0.113.0/24 prefix with an AS-PATH of 15830 64500. Important Routing Security Requirement To ensure successful service provisioning with EIA, you must have the necessary Route Objects (RO) defined. Route Object (RO) When using an Equinix-assigned private ASN, you are required to create, or have created, a Route Object (RO) that matches your advertised prefix with the Equinix ASN (15830). If this RO does not exist your EIA service order will fail. Best Practice Recommendations It is recommended to also create a Route Origin Authorization (ROA) using RPKI for improved security and validation. We also strongly recommend that you ensure there is an RO that matches your public ASN to the prefix in addition to the one for ASN 15830. If you have any questions, please share in the comments below! 👇How Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure Helps Enterprises Scale AI
Learn how Equinix and RapidScale are helping enterprises modernize applications, scale AI, and simplify cloud connectivity with a smarter hybrid cloud infrastructure approach. RapidScale shares how they built a flexible multi cloud environment in cloud computing to overcome complexity and enable enterprises to deploy AI where it delivers the most value — securely, compliantly, and at scale. Build faster, smarter multicloud networks. Learn more here.
From Hype to Reality: How AI Is Transforming Businesses Today
When the AI hype dies down, what really matters? In this exclusive interview with Paul Brook - EMEA Director and Data Centric Workloads Specialist at Dell Technologies, we explore the real-world impact of AI on business transformation, focusing on customer-first approaches that deliver measurable results. Learn more about creating scalable, efficient AI solutions
How Zetaris Powers Agentic AI for Better Customer Experience
In this video, see how Zetaris' modern data lakehouse for AI platform—powered by Equinix Distributed AI—makes real-time, agentic AI possible by enabling businesses to access, transform, and analyze data where it lives. Watch how modern data connectivity and infrastructure are driving faster insights, reduced costs, and exceptional customer outcomes across industries like healthcare and finance. Learn how you can transform your AI performance today
How to Design and Implement a Hybrid MultiCloud Architecture
In this webinar, Equinix and Accenture experts, Laurent Le Gourrierec and Francesc Mas, discuss the best practices for designing and implementing a hybrid multicloud architecture. Learn more. You'll learn specifically, how to leverage the power of Oracle Cloud and Equinix's interconnection services to create scalable, secure, and high-performing multi-cloud solutions. Key Takeaways: Introduction to multi-cloud architectures Strategic benefits of hybrid cloud environments Oracle's role in cloud infrastructure across EMEA How Equinix supports seamless cloud integration
Inside Stadler's Agile IT Infrastructure: Future-Ready IT System for Rail Transportation
Discover how Stadler partnered with Equinix to transform its IT infrastructure, enabling faster and smarter train systems. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and global connectivity, Stadler is revolutionizing the future of railway infrastructure one train at a time. Learn how Stadler enables digital transformation
Cloud Technology: Enabling Simplified Digital Banking and Driving Financial Growth
Digital transformation in the banking sector is rapidly evolving. Discover how open banking and cloud technology are transforming financial services, enabling seamless transactions, real-time loan approvals, and a frictionless digital experience. By leveraging Equinix’s powerful infrastructure and Oncore’s expertise, financial institutions can scale efficiently, enhance security, and deliver innovative services that meet customer expectations. Learn more about building agile interconnection platform
How to Optimize and Fast-Track Connectivity to Azure ExpressRoute
Looking to optimize and fast-track your connectivity with Azure ExpressRoute? Join our experts, Brian Petit from Equinix and Mays Algebary from Microsoft, as they discuss essential strategies for enhancing your multicloud networking. In this video, you'll learn how to effectively migrate from legacy IT to a hybrid multicloud environment, ensuring your network is updated and optimized for seamless performance. Learn more about Equinix and Microsoft Azure
How Data Science in Cancer Research Is Changing the Future
Discover how data science is changing the world- specifically, at the work of the Children's Cancer Institute, dedicated to finding innovative treatments for pediatric cancer. In this video, we delve into the importance of data science in cancer research, the collaboration with global partners, and how Equinix's cloud exchange is revolutionizing data integration. Learn how you can boost your cloud strategy and make a difference
