Routed versus routing / Path determination

Routed versus routing
10.2.3 This page explains the differences between routing protocols and routed protocols.


Routed or routable protocols are used at the network layer to transfer data from one host to another across a router. Routed protocols transport data across a network. Routing protocols allow routers to choose the best path for data from a source to a destination.

Some functions of a routed protocol are as follows:

• Includes any network protocol suite that provides enough information in its network layer address to allow a router to forward it to the next device and ultimately to its destination

• Defines the format and use of the fields within a packet

The Internet Protocol (IP) and Novell Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) are examples of routed protocols. Other examples include DECnet, AppleTalk, Banyan VINES, and Xerox Network Systems (XNS).

Routers use routing protocols to exchange routing tables and share routing information. In other words, routing protocols enable routers to route routed protocols.

Some functions of a routing protocol are as follows:

• Provides processes used to share route information

• Allows routers to communicate with other routers to update and maintain the routing tables

Examples of routing protocols that support the IP routed protocol include RIP, IGRP, OSPF, BGP, and EIGRP.

Path determination
10.2.4 This page will explain how path determination occurs.


Path determination occurs at the network layer. A router uses path determination to compare a destination address to the available routes in its routing table and select the best path. The routers learn of these available routes through static routing or dynamic routing. Routes configured manually by the network administrator are static routes. Routes learned by others routers using a routing protocol are dynamic routes.

The router uses path determination to decide which port to send a packet out of to reach its destination. This process is also referred to as routing the packet. Each router that the packet encounters along the way is called a hop. The hop count is the distanced traveled. Path determination can be compared to a person who drives from one location in a city to another. The driver has a map that shows which streets lead to the destination, just as a router has a routing table. The driver travels from one intersection to another just as a packet travels from one router to another in each hop. At any intersection, the driver can choose to turn left, turn right, or go straight ahead. This is similar to how a router chooses the outbound port through which a packet is sent.

The decisions of a driver are influenced by factors such as traffic, the speed limit, the number of lanes, tolls, and whether or not a road is frequently closed. Sometimes it is faster to take a longer route on a smaller, less crowded back street instead of a highway with a lot of traffic. Similarly, routers can make decisions based on the load, bandwidth, delay, cost, and reliability of a network link.

The following process is used to determine the path for every packet that is routed:

• The router compares the IP address of the packet that it received to the IP tables that it has.
• The destination address is obtained from the packet.
• The mask of the first entry in the routing table is applied to the destination address.
• The masked destination and the routing table entry are compared.
• If there is a match, the packet is forwarded to the port that is associated with that table entry.
• If there is not a match, the next entry in the table is checked.
• If the packet does not match any entries in the table, the router checks to see if a default route has been set.
• If a default route has been set, the packet is forwarded to the associated port. A default route is a route that is configured by the network administrator as the route to use if there are no matches in the routing table.
• If there is no default route, the packet is discarded. A message is often sent back to the device that sent the data to indicate that the destination was unreachable.

The next page will explain how routing protocols build and maintain routing tables.