bgpd
TLDR
Start bgpd with default configuration
SYNOPSIS
bgpd [-dnv] [-D macro=value] [-f file]
DESCRIPTION
bgpd is the Border Gateway Protocol daemon from the OpenBGPD project. It manages BGP sessions with peer routers and maintains the Routing Information Base (RIB) for exchanging routing information between autonomous systems.
BGP is the protocol that makes the Internet work by enabling routing between different networks (autonomous systems). bgpd implements BGP-4 and supports features like route filtering, communities, local preference, MED, and AS path manipulation.
The daemon reads its configuration from /etc/bgpd.conf, which defines neighbors, filters, and routing policies. It runs as an unprivileged user after initialization and communicates with bgpctl for runtime management.
PARAMETERS
-d
Run in foreground, do not daemonize.-D macro=value
Define a macro to be used in config.-f file
Use specified configuration file.-n
Check configuration syntax only.-v
Produce verbose output.-V
Show version information.
CAVEATS
Running a BGP daemon on the public Internet requires coordination with upstream providers and valid AS number assignment. Misconfiguration can cause routing issues affecting network connectivity. bgpd requires root privileges to start but drops privileges after initialization. Configuration changes typically require a restart or reload signal.
HISTORY
OpenBGPD was developed starting in 2003 by Henning Brauer and Claudio Jeker for OpenBSD as part of the OpenBSD networking stack. It was created to provide a secure, clean BGP implementation after vulnerabilities and complexity issues with other routing daemons. The portable version for Linux and FreeBSD has been maintained since 2016. OpenBGPD is used by ISPs and network operators valuing its simplicity and security.
