Announcement Propagation Delay in BGP

Sat Aug 20 17:48:57 UTC 2005

* Pete Templin:

> Non-scientific test, but I've seen new prefixes appear at the Oregon-IX 
> route server in <20 seconds (we're only in Texas), and reach a modestly 
> steady state in <90 seconds.  I've seen adjustments (prepending, etc.) 
> appear in 45+ seconds, and withdraws in probably the same time.

The is the mere propagation delay, and it's reasonable to expect it to
be in this range.  Unless you botch something, the route flaps a
couple of times, and the prefix is dampened. 8->

There might be some delays because prefix filters aren't updated in
real time, even if they are automatically generated from RPSL
snippets.  I don't know if this makes a difference in the real world,
though.

If IANA assigned the surrounding /8 to the RIR just a couple of weeks
ago, you might run into some static access or prefix lists.

To get a global picture, I think you'd have to ask the GRADUS folks.
RIPE RIS is interesting, too, of course.