CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice

What is the main function of an Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP)?

1. Routing within a single administrative domain

2. Routing between different autonomous systems

3. Managing local area network traffic

4. Reducing latency in data transmission

The correct answer is: Routing between different autonomous systems

The main function of an Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP) is to facilitate the routing of data between different autonomous systems. Autonomous systems are networks or groups of networks that fall under the control of a single organization or entity, and they may use different routing protocols. EGPs are designed specifically to enable communication and data exchange between these independent systems, ensuring efficient routing across diverse network domains. By establishing routing paths and maintaining reachability information between these autonomous systems, EGPs play a crucial role in the overall Internet routing architecture. This capability is essential for the scalability of the Internet, allowing for a seamless flow of information across various networks operated by different entities. The other options, while relevant to networking, do not accurately describe the function of EGPs. For instance, routing within a single administrative domain typically involves Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs), which are used to manage routing within an organization’s internal network. Managing local area network traffic pertains more to local networking strategies rather than the broader context of inter-autonomous system communication. Finally, reducing latency in data transmission is a goal that can be pursued through various networking means, but it is not the primary function of EGPs. Thus, the focus on routing between different autonomous systems captures the essence