Editing Routing

== Definition ==

'''Routing''' is the process of selecting paths in a [[network]] along which to send [[network traffic]]. Routing is performed for many kinds of [[network]]s, including the [[PSTN|telephone network]], [[data network]]s (such as the [[Internet]]), and [[transport network|transportation networks]].

== Overview == 

In [[packet switching]] networks, routing directs [[packet forwarding|forwarding]], the transit of logically addressed [[packet]]s from their source toward their ultimate destination through intermediate [[node]]s; typically [[hardware]] devices called [[router]]s, [[bridge]]s, [[gateway]]s, [[firewall]]s, or [[switch]]es. Ordinary [[computer]]s with multiple [[network card]]s can also [[packet forwarding|forward packets]] and perform routing, although they are not specialized [[hardware]] and may suffer from limited performance. The routing process usually directs [[packet forwarding|forwarding]] on the basis of [[routing table]]s which maintain a record of the routes to various [[network destination]]s. Thus constructing [[routing table]]s, which are held in the [[router]]s' [[memory]], becomes very important for efficient routing. Most [[routing algorithm]]s use only one [[network path]] at a time, but [[multipath routing]] techniques enable the use of multiple alternative [[path]]s.

== Threats ==

"Routing is subject to [[attack]]s that can harm the [[interconnection]] of [[network]]s as well as the operation of single [[network]]s. A smooth operation of routing [[infrastructure]] is crucial for the [[robustness]] of the [[Internet]]. Most [[threat]]s break down routing functions by [[hijacking]], [[misuse|misusing]], [[misconfiguration|misconfiguring]], or [[intercept]]ing assigned numbers, addresses, or [[name space]]s. The current trend indicates that this [[threat]] is on the rise."<ref>[[Threat Landscape and Good Practice Guide for Internet Infrastructure]], at 10-11.</ref>

== References ==
<references />

== See also ==

* [[Route]]
* [[Routing algorithm]]
* [[Routing information]]
* [[Routing protocol]]
* [[Routing table]]


{{Wikipedia|Routing}}
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Definition]]