Routing and Switching in Computer Networking

11 Questions

Which protocol is specifically designed for inter-AS routing?

BGP

What is the primary purpose of Exterior Gateway Protocols (EGPs)?

Finding paths between different autonomous systems

What type of routing protocol is Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)?

Path-Vector

What is the main function of network switches in a computer network?

Forwarding packets based on MAC addresses

How do routing and switching contribute to data communication efficiency in computer networking?

They facilitate the movement of data packets to their destinations

What is the primary function of routing in computer networking?

Selecting paths in a network for data transmission

Which type of routing protocol uses hop count as the main metric for path selection?

Routing Information Protocol (RIP)

What is the key difference between interior gateway protocols (IGPs) and exterior gateway protocols (EGPs)?

IGPs operate within an autonomous system (AS), while EGPs connect multiple autonomous systems.

Which routing protocol uses a link-state routing algorithm to determine the best path between two points?

Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)

True or False: Exterior Gateway Protocols (EGPs) are primarily used within an autonomous system.

False

What is the primary purpose of routing tables in computer networking?

To store information required to make routing decisions

Study Notes

Introduction

Computer networking refers to the interconnection of multiple computing devices and their peripherals using various technologies spanning from wired to wireless connections over cable, telephone lines, radio waves, satellite links, and optical fiber. This field encompasses several core components essential for data communication between computers, including routing and switching. In this article, we will discuss these two crucial aspects of computer networking.

Routing

Routing is the process of selecting paths in a network along which to send data from one host to another based on the routing protocols and the routing tables. Routing protocols determine the paths that the data will take, while routing tables contain the information required to make routing decisions. There are two main types of routing protocols: interior gateway protocols (IGPs) and exterior gateway protocols (EGPs).

Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs)

IGPs are used to find paths inside an autonomous system (AS). Examples of interior gateway protocols include:

Open Shortest Path First (OSPF): A link-state routing protocol that uses a shortest-path algorithm (Dijkstra's algorithm) to determine the best path between two points.
Routing Information Protocol (RIP): A distance-vector routing protocol that uses hop count as the primary metric for selecting paths.
Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP): A proprietary routing protocol developed by Cisco Systems.

Exterior Gateway Protocols (EGPs)

EGPs are used to find paths between different autonomous systems. Examples of exterior gateway protocols include:

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP): A path-vector routing protocol used for inter-AS routing.

Switching

Switching is the process of forwarding packets from the source to the destination within a network, based on their MAC addresses. It is performed by network switches, which are devices that connect multiple devices together on a computer network by using packet switching to receive, process, and forward data to the destination device.

Conclusion

Routing and switching are two fundamental aspects of computer networking that enable efficient data communication between devices. By understanding the principles and technologies behind these components, we can better appreciate the complex infrastructure that powers our modern digital world.