Static routing

Use of fixed routes for routing in networks Static routing describes a process by which routing is configured with fixed values that do not change at runtime unless manually edited. Static routes are used with and without dynamic routing protocols and usually share the same routing table as those protocols. Routes require at least two attributes: the destination and the gateway, but may contain additional attributes such as a metric (sometimes called the administrative distance). Some implementations treat the network address and subnet mask as separate values; however, in practice, both of the values have to be considered for any given routing decision to determine the longest prefix match. Static routes together with connected routes and routes from configuration protocols such as DHCP or Router Advertisements provide the routes which are then redistributed using dynamic routing protocols. While static routes are entered into the system and remain there until removed or changed manually, dynamic routing protocols create and delete routes dynamically at runtime without intervention. Thus the term static here refers to the nature of remaining unchanged by the system itself. The mos