def create(cls, name, as_number, comment=None):
        """
        Create an AS to be applied on the engine BGP configuration. An
        AS is a required parameter when creating an ExternalBGPPeer. You
        can also provide an AS number using an 'asdot' syntax::
        
            AutonomousSystem.create(name='myas', as_number='200.600')

        :param str name: name of this AS
        :param int as_number: AS number preferred
        :param str comment: optional string comment
        :raises CreateElementFailed: unable to create AS
        :raises ValueError: If providing AS number in dotted format and
            low/high order bytes are > 65535.
        :return: instance with meta
        :rtype: AutonomousSystem
        """
        as_number = as_dotted(str(as_number))
        json = {'name': name,
                'as_number': as_number,
                'comment': comment}

        return ElementCreator(cls, json)