Chapter 9

Introduction to IP Routing

The Following CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives Are Covered in This Chapter:

• 1.4 Explain the purpose and properties of routing and switching.
  • Link state vs. distance vector vs. hybrid
  • Static vs. dynamic
  • Next hop
  • IGP vs. EGP
  • Routing tables
  • Convergence (steady state)

IP routing is the process of moving packets from one network to another network using routers. The IP routing process is a super-important subject to understand because it pertains to all routers and configurations that use IP.

Before you read this chapter, you need to understand the difference between a routing protocol and a routed protocol. A routing protocol is a tool used by routers to dynamically find all the networks in the internetwork as well as to ensure that all routers have the same routing table. Basically, a routing protocol determines the path of a packet through an internetwork. Examples of routing protocols are Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Routing Information Protocol version 2 (RIPv2), Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF).