| The system uses
automatic learning to obtain 'perfect switching' in its fully-distributed network
configuration. Thus, it is less vulnerable to enemy attack than conventional networks. -
Paul Baran, On Distributed
Communications, Volume XI, 1964. |
Internet routers are specialized computers
that interconnect the network by switching communications from one line to
another at cross points. When a computer
communicates
with another on the Internet, it addresses each packet with
the other computer's IP address and
then sends it to the closest Internet router. The router then uses a routing
algorithm to send the packet across the Internet to the destination computer.
An Internet router is typically connected to several different networks. An
office building often has several routers connecting to various local area
networks, found in "wiring closets" on each floor jammed full of
network equipment and cables. Each office building typically has one router
for connection to the wide
area Internet itself.
Several other sections of this site provide information related to Internet
routers:
- Traffic Statistics. Provides
near real-time data on the communications traffic across major Internet router
cross-points.
- Traceroute command. Returns
a report on the path packets take across the Internet's routers from one
site to another.
A detailed description of Internet routers and routing can be found in "Requirements
for IP Version 4 Routers", RFC
1812, June 1995.
