What is static routing?

Static routing is a routing method in which routes are configured manually by the administrator and do not change automatically.

Put simply: static routing means we explicitly tell the router ourselves where to send packets.

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#How static routing works

The administrator manually adds a route in the form:

• destination network
• next hop or outgoing interface

Example (logically, without commands):

• to reach network 192.168.2.0/24
• send packets through router 192.168.1.1

A router:

• does not check whether the path is available
• simply follows the given rule

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#Where static routing is used

Static routing is suitable when:

• the network is small
• the topology rarely changes
• full control over the paths is needed
• predictable behavior matters

Common cases:

• small offices
• labs
• edge routers
• the default route

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#Advantages of static routing

• simple logic
• creates no service traffic
• high predictability
• less load on the router

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#Disadvantages of static routing

Important for an interview

• does not scale
• if a link fails, the route does not change automatically
• requires manual administration
• easy to make a mistake

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#Comparison with dynamic routing

• Static:
  • routes are set by a person
  • does not adapt on its own
• Dynamic:
  • routes are built automatically
  • reacts to network changes