IPv4 and IPv6 Static Routing by Arash Deljoo

Static routing is a form of routing that occurs when a router uses a manually-configured routing entry, rather than information from dynamic routing traffic. In many cases, static routes are manually configured by a network administrator by adding in entries into a routing table, though this may not always be the case. Unlike dynamic routing, static routes are fixed and do not change if the network is changed or reconfigured. Static routing and dynamic routing are not mutually exclusive. Both dynamic routing and static routing are usually used on a router to maximize routing efficiency and to provide backups in case dynamic routing information fails to be exchanged. Static routing can also be used in stub networks, or to provide a gateway of last resort.

Static routing may have the following uses:

• Static routing can be used to define an exit point from a router when no other routes are available or necessary. This is called a default route.

• Static routing can be used for small networks that require only one or two routes. This is often more efficient since a link is not being wasted by exchanging dynamic routing information.

• Static routing is often used as a complement to dynamic routing to provide a failsafe backup if a dynamic route is unavailable.

• Static routing is often used to help transfer routing information from one routing protocol to another (routing redistribution).