What is Static Routing? Everything You Need to Know

What is static routing? What is it used for? What are the advantages of static routing? Is there any difference between static routing and dynamic routing? This article attempts to introduce everything you need to know about static routing.

Introduction:

Static routers are routers that employ static routing. With a wealth of advantages, static routers have been widely used in networks today. When there is just one route or a preferred route for traffic to take to reach a destination, network managers use static routing to specify a route. Compared to static routing, there is also dynamic routing. It is important to know the difference between these two types of routing and where are they better used.

This article aims to describe the notion, applications, and advantages of static routing, and the difference between static routing and dynamic routing to illustrate what is static routing exactly.

What is Static Routing?

Static routing, also referred to as non-adaptive routing, is a routing mechanism handled by the Internet Protocol (IP) and does not modify the routing table until manually modified by the network administrator. Since static routers do not exchange routing information with others, they must be configured and maintained independently. Static routing offers higher or greater security than dynamic routing because it does not require complicated routing algorithms.

What is Static Routing Used for?

Static routing normally has the uses as follows:

1. It is usually used when there are no other routes, to specify a router exit point, which is called a default route.

2. It generally acts as an alternative to dynamic routing to provide the failsafe backup if the dynamic routes are not accessible.

3. It primarily functions to transport routing data across different routing protocols, which is called routing redistribution.

4. It can be used forsmall networks with only routers such as small offices or when security is a concern, which is more effective. 

What are the Advantages of Static Routing?

The advantages of static routing fully illustrate its popularity today. The following are some of its advantages.

1. Simple Modifications. Compared to a large network, setting up a small network is quite simple. To enable each router to connect to its corresponding network segment, the network administrator just needs to make changes to each router.

2. Predictability. Static routing follows a relatively predictable route to its destination. There won't be any adjustments to the router even if the network's layout and design change. Users are always aware of the path's location.

3. Low Overheads. Static routing has very few (almost zero) overheads compared to dynamic routing.Therefore, overhead is not imposed on routers and network lines.

4. Less Bandwidth. Static routing doesn't require any CPU processing time for communication. Soit puts less load anduses less bandwidth than dynamic routing.

5. Low-Resource Demand. Static routing requires a very small number of resources. Extra resources such as CPU and memory are not needed here. 

What Are the Differences between Static Routing and Dynamic Routing?

Dynamic routing, also known as adaptive routing, is more sophisticated than static routing because it generates more potential routes for sending packets over a network. Two types of complex algorithms are used by dynamic routing: link state protocols and distance vector protocols, which aim to calculate many possible routes and choose the most efficient one for traffic to go through the network. The key differences between static routing and dynamic routing are summarized here.

1.Capacity to Modify Routes.To change routes, network administrators must manually alter static routes. Algorithms are used in dynamic routing to automatically adapt to preferred route changes.

2. Path Choice. Dynamic routing offers a variety of accessible routes to the target, whereas static routing only employs a single pre-configured route to transmit traffic to the destination.

3. Application of Algorithms and Protocols. Protocols and sophisticated routing algorithms are not used in static routing. In order to change routes, dynamic routing uses link state protocols like OSPF and IS-IS as well as distance vector protocols like RIP and IGRP.

4. Requirements for Computation and Bandwidth.Because static routing uses a single pre-configuredroute, it uses fewer computing resources and bandwidth. For dynamic routing to provide several route options, greater processing power and bandwidth are needed.

5. Routing Tables.Dynamic routing needs routers to send out their whole routing tables in order to identify the availableroute, whereas static routing uses a smaller routing table with only one entry for each destination.

Conclusion

This article sheds light on the question "What is static routing" by providing an overall explanation of its concept, uses, advantages as well and differences between dynamic routing. As it has been illustrated above, static routing has its advantages in small and simple networks, while dynamic routing is more suitable for large and complex networks. Hope this article will give you some inspiration on understanding and applying static routing.