Re: different thinking on exchanging traffic

[Alan Hannan <alan () globalcenter net>]

> On the topic of exchange traffic.  Is it necessary for both parties 
> who will be exchanging traffic to have an as number?

  Technically speaking, no.

> From what I understand in order to have the routes announced to the 
> internet this will be needed.

  Today's "Internet" is a superset of internet providers interconnected 
  using a common EGP routing protocol -- BGP4.  To participate in a 'NAP' 
  and exchange routes with volumous amounts of peers, BGP4 is pretty 
  much a necessity.  In most all cases, BGP4 requires that the person
  announcing routes use a unique ASN.

  If you want your upstream to provide the routing announcements for
  you, they can anounce your networks with their ASN.