BGP Configuration Guide for Cisco 8000 Series Routers, Cisco IOS XR Releases

BGP best path algorithm

Updated: February 28, 2026

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Overview

Introduces the BGP best path algorithm, summarizing the decision process used by BGP routers to select the optimal route within diverse network environments.

A BGP best path algorithm is a routing decision process that

systematically evaluates multiple available BGP routes to the same destination based on a sequence of well-defined path attributes,
selects the optimal route for installation in the routing table and advertisement to peers, and
allows for administrative policy and configuration to influence path selection at various steps.

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