Author_Institution :
Bell-Northern Res., Ottawa, Ont., Canada
Abstract :
A packet network is viewed as consisting of two major interacting layers: a lower layer responsible for the determination of a set of paths that can be used to carry packet flows, and an upper layer responsible for actually sending the flows over these paths, on a per-packet basis. A systematic review is provided of the various techniques that can be used to perform the actual packet-by-packet routing operation at the upper layer, called the packet forwarding function. The function components of a routing system and its characteristics (responsiveness to changes in network state and degree of centralization) are discussed. Five routing techniques are then examined, namely source, directory, destination, global-path, and channel-link-path routing.<>
Keywords :
packet switching; channel-link-path; destination; directory; global-path; lower layer; packet forwarding function; packet network; packet switching; routing; source; upper layer; Centralized control; Communication system control; Control systems; Cost function; Databases; Routing; Stochastic systems; Terminology;
