Routing

Routing is the ability of LinkProof to forward IP packets to their destination using an IP routing table. The IP table stores information about the destinations and how they can be reached. By default, all networks directly attached to a LinkProof device are registered in the IP Routing Table. Other entries to the table can either be statically configured or dynamically created through the routing protocol.

When LinkProof forwards an IP packet, the IP Routing Table is used to determine the next-hop IP address and the next-hop interface.

For a direct delivery (the destination is a neighboring node), the next-hop MAC address is the destination MAC address for the IP packet.

For an indirect delivery (the destination is not a neighboring node), the next-hop MAC address is the address of an IP router according to the IP Routing Table.

The destination IP address does not change on the path from source to destination. The destination MAC (Layer 2 information) is manipulated to move a packet across networks.

The MAC of the destination host is applied once the packet arrives on the destination network.

LinkProof supports IP routing compliant with RFC1812 router requirements. Dynamic addition and deletion of IP interfaces is supported. This ensures that extremely low latency is maintained.

The IP router supports RIP 1, RIP 2 and OSPF routing protocols. OSPF is an intra-domain IP routing protocol, intended to replace RIP in bigger or more complex networks. OSPF and its MIB are supported as specified in RFC 1583 and RFC 1850, with some limitations.