Are there "reserved" AS numbers, the same way there are reserved IP addresses for non-connected networks?

Yes there are. Something liek the top 1000 or so. I'll dig up the reference if you want.

Are As numbers considered scarce ? (I think of many small Internet providers asking for AS numbers just to peer BGP with more than one ISP).

About the same as IP numbers.

TIA -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Alexandre Leib Grojsgold | tel: + 55 21 542-2746 | | LABORATORIO NACIONAL DE COMPUTACAO CIENTIFICA | fax: + 55 21 295-8499 | | 22.290 Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brasil | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- --bill

Hello, Yes, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) has reserved the fol- lowing block of AS numbers for private use (not to be advertised on the global Internet): 64512 through 65535 The AS number space is a finite amount of address space. It is currently defined as a 16 bit integer and hence limited to 65535 unique AS numbers. Over 6900 ASes have been allocated however very few are being actively routed in the global Internet. Respectfully, Allwyn F Crichlow InterNIC Regsitration Services % % Are there "reserved" AS numbers, the same way there are reserved IP % addresses for non-connected networks? % % Are As numbers considered scarce ? (I think of many small Internet % providers asking for AS numbers just to peer BGP with more than one ISP). % % TIA % -- % ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- % | Alexandre Leib Grojsgold | tel: + 55 21 542-2746 | % | LABORATORIO NACIONAL DE COMPUTACAO CIENTIFICA | fax: + 55 21 295-8499 | % | 22.290 Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brasil | | % ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- %