Routing
Network-layer functions
- Forwarding: Move packets from router's input to appropriate router output in data plane.
- Routing: Determine route taken by packets from source to destination in control plane.
Per-router control is a traditional way to implement control plane.
Logically centralized control (SDN) is now used.
Routing algorithm
Goal: Determine good paths (e.g. least cost, fastest, least congested) from sending hosts to receiving host, through network of routers.