A formula used by routers to determine the appropriate path onto which data should be forwarded. The routing protocol also specifies how routers report changes and share information with the other routers in the network that they can reach. A routing protocol allows the network to dynamically adjust to changing conditions, otherwise all routing decisions have to be predetermined and remain static. See router, routing table, RIP, OSPF, IGRP, EGP and BGP.
A Routing Table
This is a simple example of a routing table, showing how packets are directed out the appropriate port.
A Routing Table
This is a simple example of a routing table, showing how packets are directed out the appropriate port.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- More bad news on diabetes
- The standard protocol for prediabetes thus remains weight loss and exercise. The oldest pill in the doctor's bag, metformin, is your only choice if you can't follow that advice. by Dana Blankenhorn
- Blog posts 2008-08-19
- New algorithm speeds up networks
- Routing scalability has always been a problem in networking research. Now, computer scientists at UC San Diego UCSD have developed a new algorithm to improve the routing efficiency of networks. 'Called XL, for approximate link state, the algorithm increases network routing efficiency by suppressing updates from parts of the system...
- Blog posts 2008-08-19
- DEFCON 16: List of tools and stuff released
- Guest editorial by Rob Fuller DEFCON, the 9000+ attendee hacker conference in Vegas has become a sort of hydra conference. It has become more like a global fair than what most people think of conferences; even the badge is highly...
- Blog posts 2008-08-18
- Delivering the Olympics: Akamai and Limelight respond
- Akamai disputes Limelight Networks' take on its infrastructure and my recent post, Limelight Networks: Why the Olympics didn't 'Melt' the Internet. Limelight, however, says its implementation facts are accurate and that it absolutely stands behind its words.Keep in mind that the two companies compete fiercely and have different takes on...
- Blog posts 2008-08-18
- OpenVAS emerges as free alternative to Nessus
- A new open-source project called OpenVAS has emerged to take the place of Nessus, the popular vulnerability assessment system that closed its source a few years ago. The first stable version of OpenVAS, which is a fork of Nessus 2.2, was released this week featuring a server,...
- Blog posts 2008-08-15
- Neb (exe)
- Neb creates the map that shows which routers and switches operate in the network and which physical interfaces they use to communicate. Neb allows you to automatically create a network map on the physical interface level. Collect and view additional network information in a well-readable form (IP MAC address, VLANs,...
- Software downloads 2008-08-14
- Ezy-FTP (zip)
- ezy-Ftp is a Full-Featured FTP File Transfer Protocol Client Software. ezy-Ftp can be used to connect to an FTP server and transfer files from or to the server. ezy-Ftp is a fast FTP client with Multi-threaded transfer engine providing up to 10x faster downloads. This version is the first release...
- Software downloads 2008-08-14
- Heart pacemakers vulnerable to attack
- Heart pacemakers vulnerable to attackThis is misleadingThe former Guidant now Boston Scientific pacemakers are NOT exposed to these vulnerabilities as are some of their competitors. The communications to these devices is encrypted.RE: Heart pacemakers vulnerable to attackWow, this would be a great plot for a detective - murder mystery...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-11
- Bus Hound (msi)
- Bus Hound is a software bus analyzer for capturing I/O, protocol, and performance measurements from a wide variety of devices and buses. You can also submit your own custom commands to devices including bus resets. Bus Hound is a 100% software product. Supports any device attached to IDE, SCSI, USB,...
- Software downloads 2008-08-11
- BXO Toolbox (zip)
- BXO Toolbox contain tools for alarm system integrators - protocol testers and trouble shooting tools. System integrators often face the task of isolating a problem, that is, to find out in which subsystem the fault exists. Is the error in the DECT equipment, in the nurse call system or somewhere...
- Software downloads 2008-08-08
- Development environments: Microsoft vs. Open Source
- Development environments: Microsoft vs. Open SourceA little simple reasoning... is enough to reveal what's going on. Let's try.Quote: "Anything you can do with Microsoft servers, clients, Office, and dot.net technologies I can do better [i.e. at some combination of greater functionality, lower risk, and lower cost] using the standard LAMP/SAMP...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-07
- JMS SMTP Bridge (zip)
- JMS SMTP Bridge is a simple Java based bridge that can be configured to listen to a JMS queue and send the messages to a list of recipients via SMTP protocol. The bridge consists of three EJBs, namely: JmsMessageReceiver, which is a MDB that listens for JMS messages; Jms2SmtpTransformerBean, a...
- Software downloads 2008-08-07
- Star Event Log Agent Free Suite (exe)
- Star Event Log Agent can convert window event log to syslog message. It will forward syslog message to centralized syslog server or daemon. A syslog server or daemon can filter syslog message and trigger alarm message. Star Event Log Agent is based on Internet standard protocol, which is specified by...
- Software downloads 2008-08-07
- Cerf's call for simple pricing: Net Neutrality all over again
- Cerf's call for simple pricing: Net Neutrality all over againCerf's call for simple pricing: Net Neutrality all over again[i]Rather than a volume cap, I suggest the introduction of transmission rate caps, which would allow users to purchase access to the Internet at a given minimum data rate and be free...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-05
- Cerf's call for simple pricing: Net Neutrality all over again
- Vint Cerf, one of the co-inventors of the underlying technology that makes the Web work, now Google's Internet evangelist, has issued a call for throughput-based pricing by ISPs. This in response to the Comcast ruling by the FCC, which ordered the cable carrier to stop interfering with certain kinds of...
- Blog posts 2008-08-05
- Cisco faces tricky fourth quarter report
- Cisco Systems reports its fourth quarter earnings Tuesday and an analyst says the quarter may be "the trickiest in memory." Wall Street is expecting fourth quarter earnings of 39 cents a share on revenue of $10.31 billion, according to Reuters' Thomson Financial. But observers will be combing...
- Blog posts 2008-08-05
- Panasonic Viera TC-32LX85
- Coming from a company known more for its plasma HDTVs, the Panasonic TC-32LX85 is a pleasant surprise in the 32-inch LCD category. Attractively designed and well appointed with generous connectivity, it is also a good performer overall, although by no means perfect. I was particularly impressed with the set's color...
- Product reviews 2008-08-04
- The astounding $14million Ethernet extender
- I was helping a friend find a good price on a powerline Ethernet extender like the one I bought a few months ago, and stumbled upon this bargain: Luckily I found one cheaper here: When I...
- Blog posts 2008-08-04
- FCC slams Comcast but too little too late?
- The FCC formally voted to censure Comcast over torrent-blocking today. And the decision has stirred up plenty of controversry. The LA Times' Jim Puzzanghera called the decision a "warning shot to all Internet service providers that it would not tolerate discriminatory behavior." There will be no fine...
- Blog posts 2008-08-01
- Did Apple forget to patch something?
- Did Apple forget to patch something?AppleI usually sing the praises of Apple except when they don't live up to the hype or expectations. If they really want to grow their user base, they'd better get with it when it comes to delivering patches in a timely manner. In terms of...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-01
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
The Green Enterprise
-
- A look into the enterprise to explore eco-friendly practices and innovations. In this ZDNet video series learn about what's motivating green tech, and how green technologies are impacting IT. 0:42
-
Harnessing the power of waves
3:13
-
Planting solar gardens
5:06
-
Fill your car for $1.10 a gallon?
1:43
- All series videos »
