1. Introduction

1. Introduction

The base BGP-4 specification [RFC4271] requires that when a BGP speaker receives an OPEN message with one or more unrecognized Optional Parameters, the speaker must terminate the BGP peering. This complicates the introduction of new capabilities in BGP.

This specification defines an Optional Parameter and processing rules that allow BGP speakers to communicate capabilities in an OPEN message. A pair of BGP speakers that supports this specification can establish the peering even when presented with unrecognized capabilities, so long as all capabilities required to support the peering are supported.