User guide

Router Feature Descriptions

Routing tables can be seeded; i.e., addresses for remote destinations are

placed in the table along with network address masks and a metric for path

latency.

Routing tables are also built dynamically; i.e., the location of remote stations,

hosts and networks are updated from broadcast packet information.

Routing helps to increase network capacity by localizing traffic on LAN

segments and reducing the amount of broadcasts that would result from

bridged traffic. It also provides security by isolating traffic on segmented

LANs. Routing extends the reach of networks beyond the limits of each LAN

segment.

Bridging and Routing

The FlowPoint router can operate as a bridge, as a router, or as both

(sometimes called a brouter). The router will operate as a router for network

protocols that are supported when routing is enabled. The router will operate

as a bridge when bridging is enabled. When both bridging and routing are

enabled, routing takes precedence over bridging; i.e., the router uses the

packet’s protocol address information to route the packet; if the protocol is

not supported, the router will use the MAC address information to bridge the

packet.

Operation of the FlowPoint router is influenced by routing and bridging

controls and filters set during router configuration as well as automatic

spoofing and filtering performed by the router. General IP or IPX routing,

and routing or bridging from/to specific remote routers are controls set during

the configuration process.

Spoofing and filtering which minimize the number of packets that flow

across the WAN, are performed automatically by the router. For example,

RIP routing packets and certain NetBEUI packets are spoofed even if only

bridging is enabled. For more detailed information on packet routing and

bridging, refer to the section Routing and Bridging Operation in the

Command Line Interface guide.