Policy Based Routing
Policy Based Routing (PBR) is a networking technique that allows administrators to define custom routing policies based on criteria beyond just destination IP addresses, such as source IP, protocol type, port numbers, or packet size. It enables traffic to be directed along specific paths or through particular network devices, overriding the default routing table decisions. This is commonly implemented in routers, firewalls, or software-defined networking (SDN) environments to optimize performance, enforce security policies, or manage network traffic flows.
Developers should learn PBR when designing or managing complex network infrastructures that require granular control over traffic routing, such as in multi-homed networks, load balancing scenarios, or compliance with regulatory requirements. It is particularly useful for directing specific types of traffic (e.g., VoIP, video streaming) through optimized paths, implementing quality of service (QoS), or segregating traffic for security purposes in enterprise or cloud environments.