Which configuration is needed to influence BGP route selection?

The option about local preference settings is vital for influencing BGP route selection as it directly impacts how BGP chooses among multiple routes to the same prefix. Local preference is a BGP attribute that helps determine the preferred path for outbound traffic from an autonomous system (AS). When multiple routes to the same destination exist, the route with the highest local preference value is chosen first. This attribute is normally set at the local BGP speaker level and can be modified through policy statements to adjust which routes are preferred within an AS.

In practice, adjusting local preference allows network administrators to effectively control routing behavior based on their specific preferences, optimizing traffic flow across their network in alignment with organizational goals. Therefore, understanding and configuring local preference allows for targeted route selection that can enhance performance and reliability within BGP routing protocols.