Destination-based forwarding
Forwarding is based on destination address ranges. However, it may happen that ranges do not divide so nicely. Then … apply Longest Prefix Matching. When looking for forwarding table entry for given destination address, use longest address prefix that matches destination address.
Destination Address Range |
Link interface |
---|---|
11001000 00010111 00010*** ******** |
0 |
11001000 00010111 00011000 ******** |
1 |
11001000 00010111 00011*** ******** |
2 |
Otherwise |
3 |
The table above shows four destination address ranges. The first three ranges share the first twenty bits. The twenty first bit is the same for the second and third entries. However, the second entry is followed by wildcards and the third one is followed by three bits and then wildcards. The fourth entry is otherwise, which means that if a destination address does not match any prefix, this is the selected entry. In the example, a destination address matches the second and third entries, but the coincidence extends three more bits in the third entry. Thus, this is the final selection.