Route
The path that network traffic takes from its source to its destination. The route a datagram
may follow can include many gateways and many physical networks.
In the Internet, each datagram is routed separately.
Router
A system is responsible for making decisions about which of several paths network (or
Internet) traffic will follow. To do this, it uses a routing protocol to gain information about the
network and algorithms to choose the best route based on several criteria known as
"routing metrics".
Routing Table
Information stored within a router that contains network path and status information. It is
used to select the most appropriate route to forward information along.
Routing Information Protocol
Routers periodically exchange information with one another so that they can determine
minimum distance paths between sources and destinations.
SNMP
Simple Network Management Protocol - The network management protocol of choice for
TCP/IP-based Internet.
SOCKET
(1) The Berkeley UNIX mechanism for creating a virtual connection between processes.
(2) IBM term for software interfaces that allow two UNIX application programs to talk via
TCP/IP protocols.
Spanning-Tree Bridge Protocol (STP)
Spanning-Tree Bridge Protocol (STP) - Part of an IEEE standard. A mechanism for
detecting and preventing loops from occurring in a multi-bridged environment.
When three or more LAN's segments are connected via bridges, a loop can occur. Because
of a bridge forwards all packets that are not recognized as being local,
some packets can circulate for long periods of time, eventually degrading system
performance. This algorithm ensures only one path connects any pair of stations, selecting
one bridge as the 'root' bridge, with the highest priority one as identifier, from which all
paths should radiate.
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