Routing

Routed and Routing Protocols

Routed and Routing Protocols

Routed protocols, such as IP, manage packets with routing information that enables those packets to be transported across networks using routing protocols.

Routed Protocols

Routed protocols are used to send user data (payload) through an established network. These protocols are responsible for carrying data traffic and include IP (Internet Protocol) and IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6).

Routing Protocols

Routing protocols are used to build and maintain routing tables and determine the best path for data packet forwarding. Examples of routing protocols include OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol), and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol).

Static Routing

Static Routing

Static routing is a type of network routing technique where the routes are manually entered into the routing table by a network administrator. This means that the routes do not change unless the network administrator changes or updates them. Static routing is simple to implement in small networks but becomes impractical for larger networks due to the administrative burden of maintaining accurate routing tables.

Advantages of static routing include:

• Simplicity and ease of implementation in small networks.

• Predictable network performance and security due to controlled routing paths.

• Lower bandwidth usage compared to dynamic routing protocols since routing information is not exchanged between routers.

Disadvantages include:

• Lack of scalability for larger networks.

• Administrative overhead increases significantly as the network grows.

• Inflexibility, as any change in the network topology requires manual reconfiguration of routes.

Static routing is typically used in situations where the network topology does not change often, where there is a need for explicit control over routing, or in conjunction with dynamic routing protocols to provide a stable backbone route.

Dynamic Routing

Dynamic routing, in contrast to static routing, involves algorithms and protocols to automatically adjust and calculate the best path between nodes on a network. As the network topology changes, dynamic routing protocols update the routing tables without manual intervention, ensuring data packets are always forwarded on the most efficient route available.

Dynamic routing protocols include OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol), and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), among others. These protocols offer various advantages:

Advantages of Dynamic Routing:

• Adaptability: Automatically adjusts to changes in the network topology, ensuring data packets use the optimal path.

• Scalability: More suitable for larger networks as it reduces administrative overhead associated with managing routes.

• Efficiency: By automatically selecting the best route, dynamic routing can reduce latency and improve network performance.

However, dynamic routing is not without its limitations:

Disadvantages of Dynamic Routing:

• Complexity: Configuration and maintenance of dynamic routing protocols can be more complex than static routing.

• Security Vulnerabilities: Dynamic routing protocols can introduce security risks if not properly secured.

• Resource Intensive: Requires more processing power and memory from network devices to constantly update and maintain routing tables.

In summary, the choice between static and dynamic routing depends on the specific requirements and constraints of the network. While static routing offers simplicity and control, dynamic routing provides flexibility and scalability.