Network Routing
Network routing is the process of selecting paths in a network to direct data packets from a source to a destination across interconnected nodes, such as routers and switches. It involves protocols and algorithms that determine the most efficient or optimal route based on factors like network topology, traffic load, and policies. This fundamental concept underpins the operation of the internet, local area networks (LANs), and other communication systems.
Developers should learn network routing to build scalable, reliable, and secure applications that communicate over networks, such as in web development, cloud computing, or IoT systems. It's essential for troubleshooting connectivity issues, optimizing performance in distributed systems, and implementing features like load balancing or failover mechanisms. For example, understanding routing helps in configuring firewalls, designing microservices architectures, or deploying applications across multiple data centers.