Autonomous Systems (AS)

An Autonomous System (AS) is a large, organized network of interconnected devices, like computers and routers, managed by a single organization. It functions independently to exchange data with other ASes across the internet. Think of it as a major city’s network of roads, managed by a city government, that connects seamlessly with neighboring cities. Each AS has unique identifiers called AS numbers, helping data find the best routes across the global network. This structure helps ensure the internet remains efficient, scalable, and resilient by coordinating how data travels between different networks worldwide.