What is an autonomous system?

The internet is an internetwork—​a network of computer networks. When discussing routing, we sometimes refer to these independent networks asautonomous systems. Each autonomous system is responsible for routing packets internally. To travel across the broader internet, packets must traverse multiple autonomous systems. So it is more accurate to think of internet routing as happening across autonomous systems, rather than between individual computers. So yes: the internet is an internetwork—​a network of computer networks!

Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).

[mimi-ek]

Thank you for your introduction.this question has been borthering me for two days

[jeremycompton]

this was seriously the best explanation for me, simple but easy to understand. nice work

[handyandyradio]

This was a fantastic explanation. Thank you!

[judiciousaidoo]

very insightful introduction for my group thesis . thank you soo much

[CyberJuke]

I really appreciated your explanation, thanks!

[spacetme]

Thank you bro, way better than the wikipedia article.

[ramziboutaoua]

thank you for such a clear explanation

[cipherthedev]

Mate,
few words,

I love you so much no homo, you literally cleared the confusion from my teacher caused me to have, even netacad couldn't help me out, god bless you!
Subbed and liked, keep it up bro!

[eliokarolinaclementekusibo]

Is it there a any way to identify hopes between AS, or at least the “border gateway” of the AS I’m in?

[sohaibkhan]

you're very good man, the bestt!! p.s that cap looks lame

[jaelski]

Let's say Sample Company has a Branch A and Branch B. Are branch A and B, two different autonomous systems?

[LucasFerreira-jykw]

different ISP routers communicate through "border gateways" and bgp?

[shankardayal]

Why I want to connect my autonomous system with another autonomous system instead of connecting with Internet

[superanimallover]

what if my autonomous system in my lab is 100 and the pc in the other side of the world that router have a AS on 120 .. what if ..

[baunax]

14 people did not like that? Anyway, thanks a lot!

[danielletrimmer]

The nodes look like eggs...I should go eat some lunch haha

[adilhashmi]

So what is autonomous system i think you forgot to say that ..!

[_productivity__nill_]

I compare this to driving. As that's going from A to B

[charlesearle]

Why do I suddenly feel hungry for fried eggs?

[Jarrod_C]

But you didn't actually explain what an autonomous system is? What makes it autonomous, what goes into making it autonomous versus non-autonomous?