What type of routing protocol is BGP A. Distance-vector routing protocol B. Link-state routing protocol C. Path-vector routing protocol D. IGP

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify what BGP is in the context of routing protocols.
2. Analyze the different types of routing protocols listed in the options.

Relevant Concepts

1. Distance-vector routing protocols: These protocols make routing decisions based on the distance to a destination, sharing routes and their distances with neighboring routers.
2. Link-state routing protocols: These build a complete map of the network and make routing decisions based on the state of the links to neighboring nodes.
3. Path-vector routing protocols: These protocols maintain the path information that gets updated dynamically as the network topology changes.
4. IGP (Interior Gateway Protocol): Refers generally to protocols used for routing within a single autonomous system.

Analysis and Detail

• Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) primarily uses the path-vector routing mechanism. It specifically maintains the path that the routing data has taken, which helps in loop prevention and making routing decisions based on the complete path.
• Therefore, among the options, BGP does not fall under distance-vector or link-state protocols and is not an IGP.

Verify and Summarize

• The correct identification of BGP as a path-vector protocol aligns with the definition and workings of BGP compared to other types of routing protocols.

Final Answer

C. Path-vector routing protocol