Re: Exchange point networks

["William B. Norton" <wbn () equinix com>]

One difference is that Route Servers, like the ones run by Merit RSNG team, 
are based on the Internet Routing Registry, whereas route reflectors are 
not. Route Server routes are re-announced based upon configured IRR policy.

I also think of Route Reflectors as being both internal AS (IGP) and 
external AS (BGP) re-announcers whereas Route Servers are strictly inter-AS 
(BGP).

Bill

> I've also heard some symantic confusion between route-servers and route
> reflectors.  In conversation, I usually assume that distinction to be
> between functionally equivalent boxes operating in the plenum between a
> number of administrative domains (a route-server) or as glue between
> regions or ASes within one administrative domain (a route reflector).
> I don't know how common that understanding would be, though.  Anyone have
> any better thoughts on the difference between a route-server and a route
> reflector?