A router
Network
The network layer is the layer that is responsible for routing packets on the network. This is the layer in which Internet protocol operates. In the seven layer OSI model, the network layer is the third layer from the bottom.
It is the process of forwarding packets in a network so that it reaches its intended destinations. To perform routing there are numbers of routing algorithm .
It is the process of forwarding packets in a network so that it reaches its intended destinations. To perform routing there are numbers of routing algorithm .
If you are talking strictly about routing, then layer 3 (the Network layer). There are some routing protocols, usually known as link-state routing protocols that are aware of network congestion problems and can re-route as necessary. Network congestion is not restricted to routing alone, however. At layer 4 (Transport Layer) there is a facility known as flow control, which can pause a sending network if the receiving network is too busy to accommodate all the packets.
routing protocol: helps to find the best path to transfer the packets from one network to diffrent network example: rip: routing information protocol igrp, ospf...... routed protocol: helps to carry the packets to the destination. example: smtp : transfer the mails ftp : transfer the files.
A simple routing table in a computer network is used to determine the best path for data packets to travel from one network device to another. It helps the network devices efficiently route and deliver data to their intended destinations.
The router needs a routing table, to know where to send IP packets. The purpose of dynamic routing is to update the routing tables automatically. This means you need much less configuration, and the network dynamically adjusts to topology changes (for example, a router is added, or a cable has a bad connection).
Destination network addresses: These indicate the network destinations that packets need to reach. Next hop addresses: These show the next router or gateway that packets should be forwarded to in order to reach the destination network. Routing metrics: These are used to determine the best path for forwarding packets, taking into account factors like hop count, bandwidth, and latency.
Switching involves moving packets between devices on the same network. *Conversely, routing involves moving packets between different networks.Switching is able to determine where a packet should be sent by examining the MAC address within the data link header of the packet (the MAC address is the hardware address of a network adapter).A switch maintains a database of MAC addresses and what port they are connected to.(operate at layer 2 of the OSI model).Routers, on the other hand, operate at layer 3 of the OSI Model.A router is able to determine where to send a packet using the Network ID within the Network layer header. It then uses the routing table to determine the route to the destination host.
The router will install both routes in the routing table and load balance between the two.
MPLS is one of the mechanisms a network may use for transporting data. It is used for routing packets more efficiently than IP packets. Within the OSI model MPLS can be found working at the data link layer and the network layer.