An EGP import rule. Each rule is keyed by the Autonomous System of the EGP neighbor and the IP network of the route learned from the neighbor. The AS can be set to a wild card as can the IP network. When a route is learned from a neighbor, the most specific import rule is applied to the route. The route is either accepted or discarded and its metrics are applied according to the rule. An exact match on the AS and IP network is the most exact rule. An exact match on the AS and a wild card match on the IP network is the 2nd most exact rule. A wild card match on the AS and an exact match on the IP network is the 3rd most exact match. Finally, a total wild card match is the least exact rule.