Router Routing

When a router is forwarded a packet that is not destined for that router, the router must either deliver it to the destination host or to another router, as shown in Figure 1.4.

• If the destination network matches a network to which the router is attached, the router forwards the packet to the destination host by addressing the packet to the destination host's physical address. The router performs a direct delivery to the destination.
• Conversely, if the destination network is not directly attached, the router forwards the packet to an intermediate router. The intermediate router chosen is based on the forwarding address of the optimal route in the routing table. The router forwards the packet by addressing the packet to the intermediate router's physical address. The router performs an indirect delivery to the next router in the path to the destination.

Enlarge figure

Figure 1.4 Router Routing Process

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