In Chapter 7, you learned the basics of configuring a Cisco router from the IOS command line. After completing important initial tasks like setting passwords and configuring interfaces, it’s time to get the router to start serving its real purpose – routing traffic between networks. In order to do that, you need to take a look at more than just the commands required to configure routing and associated protocols. More importantly, you need to begin by understanding how routing works on a conceptual level and defining what it is that you’re actually trying to accomplish.
For the purpose of both the CCNA exam, you’ll need to understand how routing works, the differences between routing protocols, and finally how routing is configured. The topics that I will cover in this chapter include:
- An introduction to routing
- The difference between routed and routing protocols
- Understanding how network communication occurs in a routed environment
- Static IP routing
- Distance vector versus link state routing protocols
- Dynamic IP routing with the Routing Information Protocol (RIP)
- Dynamic IP routing with Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP)
- Default routing
- Routing IPX traffic
- The IPX Routing Information Protocol (RIP) and Service Advertising Protocol (SAP)
