BGP Route Reflector IXPs need a AS number. I'll send you a URL with a whitepaper. The BGP Route Reflector IXPs have proved to offer a low entry cost for ISPs (for those places that do not have the deep pockets to get big routers). It also does not remove the option of scaling to point-to-point peering (pointed out below does not need an AS number) or route server (which also does not need a AS number).
-----Original Message----- From: owner-nanog@merit.edu [mailto:owner-nanog@merit.edu]On Behalf Of Randy Bush Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2001 6:36 AM To: deen@slt.lk Cc: nanog@merit.edu Subject: Re:
Is a separate AS Number required for an Internet Xchange point network.
almost all ixen are at layer two. hence they have no ip addresses, let alone layer three routing.
of course, the ix provider may also choose to provide services on the side, such as ntp, measurement, ... those are servers and run at layer three+. hence they are routed. like other routed networks, if they are multi- homed, they tend to have their own asn.
randy