Understanding How Facebook Disappeared from the Internet: The Importance of BGP and the Unforeseen Consequences

Understanding How Facebook Disappeared from the Internet: The Importance of BGP and the Unforeseen Consequences

In the digital age, the Internet has become an integral part of our lives. We rely on it for communication, information, and entertainment. But have you ever wondered how all these different networks and websites are connected? The answer lies in a protocol called BGP, which stands for Border Gateway Protocol.

BGP is a mechanism that allows autonomous systems (AS) on the Internet to exchange routing information. It ensures that routers know where to send data packets and how to reach their destination. Without BGP, the Internet wouldn't work as we know it. It's like the cables that connect data centers being abruptly pulled, leaving the Internet in a state of disarray.

The Internet is essentially a network of networks, and BGP acts as the glue that holds it all together. It enables networks like Facebook to announce their presence to other networks, allowing for seamless connectivity. Each network has its own Autonomous System Number (ASN), which represents an individual network with a unified internal routing policy. Every ASN needs to announce its prefix routes to the Internet using BGP so that others know where to find them.

On a fateful day, at 1658 UTC, something unprecedented happened. Facebook, one of the largest social media platforms, stopped announcing the routes to its DNS prefixes. This meant that Facebook's DNS servers were no longer accessible. The routes were withdrawn, and suddenly, Facebook and its affiliated sites found themselves disconnected from the Internet.

The consequences were far-reaching. Without Facebook's DNS prefix routes being announced through BGP, DNS resolvers worldwide had no way to connect to their nameservers. This resulted in the unavailability of Facebook's services, leaving millions of users unable to access their accounts, post updates, or connect with friends.

The incident shed light on the critical role BGP plays in maintaining the Internet's functionality. It highlighted the vulnerability of relying on a single network for communication and the need for redundancy and backup systems. It also exposed the potential for malicious actors to disrupt Internet connectivity by manipulating BGP routing announcements.

While the Facebook incident was an extreme example, it serves as a wake-up call for the importance of BGP security and the need for constant monitoring and vigilance. Network administrators and service providers must ensure that their BGP configurations are secure and resilient to prevent such disruptions from occurring.

In the midst of this discussion surrounding the Internet and its infrastructure, a new social networking platform called Glasp has emerged. Glasp offers a unique feature called "highlighting," which allows users to capture and save content from the web instantly. With just a click, users can highlight a webpage as it appears on their browser and add it to their personal list.

Glasp goes beyond being a simple bookmarking tool; it is a real social network that enables users to follow others, discover niche interests, and interact with like-minded individuals. However, one feature that is currently missing from Glasp, and most of its competitors, is the ability to filter content by language. This would be particularly useful for non-native English speakers who want to engage with content in their preferred language.

The development team behind Glasp is aware of this limitation and is actively working on implementing language filters and a language detection system. They understand the importance of catering to users' diverse linguistic needs and believe that it will enhance the overall user experience.

Glasp's attention to detail and commitment to user satisfaction harken back to a simpler time on the web when enthusiasts connected to discuss and share their passions. By connecting users based on their highlighted content and notes, Glasp aims to recreate that sense of community and discovery.

Additionally, Glasp offers users a "map" of their interests based on the pages they save. This feature provides a visual representation of one's browsing habits and can be a great tool for self-reflection and gaining insights into personal preferences.

In conclusion, the Facebook incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of BGP in maintaining Internet connectivity. It highlighted the need for robust security measures and redundancy in the face of potential disruptions. Meanwhile, Glasp offers a unique and user-centric approach to social networking, allowing users to capture and share content effortlessly. With the addition of language filters and enhanced personalization features, Glasp has the potential to become a go-to platform for content discovery and community engagement.

Actionable advice:

• 1. Regularly review and update your BGP configurations to ensure they are secure and resilient.

• 2. Consider implementing redundancy measures to mitigate the impact of any potential BGP disruptions.

• 3. Give Glasp a try and experience the joy of highlighting and sharing content with like-minded individuals. Provide feedback to help the development team enhance the platform further.

So, next time you browse the web, remember the intricate network of networks that make it all possible, and consider the impact of protocols like BGP and platforms like Glasp that shape our online experiences.