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C
ONFIGURING
IP R
OUTES
You can use the Configuration Manager to define specific routes
for your Internet and network data. This section describes basic
routing concepts and provides instructions for creating routes.
Note:
Most users do not need to define IP routes.
Overview of IP Routes
The essential challenge of a router is: when it receives data
intended for a particular destination, which device should it send
that data to? When you define IP routes, you provide the rules
that a computer uses to make these decisions.
IP routing versus telephone switching
IP routing decisions are similar to those made by switchboards
that handle telephone calls.
When you dial a long distance telephone number, you are first
connected to a switchboard operated by your local phone service
carrier. All calls you initiate go first to this main switchboard.
If the phone number you dialed is outside your calling area, the
switchboard opens a connection to a higher-level switchboard for
long distance calls. That switchboard looks at the area code you
dialed and connects you with another switchboard that serves
that area. This new switchboard, in turn, may look at the prefix
in the number you dialed (the middle set of three numbers) and
connect to a more localized switchboard that handles numbers
with that prefix. This final switchboard can then look at the last
four digits of the phone number to open a connection with the
person or company you dialed.