Chapter 8 The Routing Table: A Closer Look

The Routing Table Structure

Understanding the Routing Table

Understanding the structure and lookup process of the routing table Help you diagnose any routing table issue Regardless of your level of familiarity with the routing protocol. Is the packet is being forwarded as expected? Why or why not? Forwarded elsewhere? Discarded?

The Routing Table Structure

Router# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 4 subnets 172.16.4.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:08, Serial0/0/0 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 10.0.0.0/16 is subnetted, 1 subnets 10.1.0.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 192.168.100.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

S R C C S C S

The structure of the routing table might seem obvious. Help you verify and troubleshoot routing issues because you will understand the routing table lookup process. You will know exactly what the Cisco IOS software does when it searches for a route.

Topology

Notice that R3 also has a 172.16.4.0/24 subnet that is disconnected, or discontiguous, from the 172.16.0.0 network that R1 and R2 share. The effects of this discontiguous subnet are examined later in this chapter when you look at the route lookup process.
5

Topology: Interface Configurations for R1 and R3

R1(config)# interface FastEthernet0/0 R1(config-if)# ip address 172.16.1.1 255.255.255.0 R1(config-if)# no shutdown R1(config-if)# interface Serial0/0/0 R1(config-if)# ip address 172.16.2.1 255.255.255.0 R1(config-if)# clock rate 64000 R1(config-if)# no shutdown

R3(config)# interface FastEthernet0/0 R3(config-if)# ip address 172.16.4.1 255.255.255.0 R3(config-if)# no shutdown R3(config-if)# interface Serial0/0/1 R3(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.2 255.255.255.0 R3(config-if)# no shutdown

Sample Routing Table Entries

Router# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 4 subnets 172.16.4.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:08, Serial0/0/0 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 10.0.0.0/16 is subnetted, 1 subnets 10.1.0.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 192.168.100.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

S R C C S C S

Route entries from the following sources: Directly connected networks Static routes Dynamic routing protocols The source of the route does not affect the structure of the routing table

Level 1 Routes
R2# debug ip routing IP routing debugging is on R2# conf t R2(config)# interface serial 0/0/1 R2(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 R2(config-if)# clock rate 64000 R2(config-if)# no shutdown R2(config-if)# 00:11:06: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface Serial0/0/1, changed state to up R2(config-if)# RT: add 192.168.1.0/24 via 0.0.0.0, connected metric [0/0] RT: interface Serial0/0/1 added to routing table R2(config-if)# end R2# undebug all All possible debugging has been turned off

Serial 0/0/1 interface for R2 is configured with the 192.168.1.1/24 address As soon as no shutdown is entered, the output from debug ip routing shows that this route has been added to the routing table.
8

Level 1 Routes
RT: add 192.168.1.0/24 via 0.0.0.0, connected metric [0/0] RT: interface Serial0/0/1 added to routing table R2(config-if)# end R2# show ip route <output omitted>

192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

The routing table is actually a hierarchical structure that is used to speed up the lookup process when locating routes and forwarding packets. Within this structure, the hierarchy includes several levels. For simplicity, we discuss all routes as one of two levels: level 1 or level 2.

Level 1 Routes
R2# show ip route <output omitted> C 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

A level 1 route is a route with a subnet mask equal to or less than the classful mask of the network address. 192.168.1.0/24 is a level 1 network route because the subnet mask is equal to the networks classful mask. /24 is the classful mask for Class C networks, such as the 192.168.1.0 network.

10

Level 1 Routes

We will be using this chart throughout this chapter.

A level 1 route can function as any of the following: Default route: A default route is a static route with the address 0.0.0.0/0. Supernet route: A supernet route is a network address with a mask less than the classful mask. Network route: A network route is a route that has a subnet mask equal to that of the classful mask. A network route can also be a parent route (next).

11

Level 1 Routes

The level 1 route 192.168.1.0/24 can be further defined as an ultimate route. An ultimate route is a route that includes one or both of the following: A next-hop IP address (another path) An exit interface
12

Level 1 Routes

Directly connected network 192.168.1.0/24 is a level 1 network route - subnet mask that is the same as its classful mask. ultimate route - contains the exit interface Serial 0/0/1.
13

Parent and Child Routes: Classful Networks

R2(config)# interface fastethernet 0/0 R2(config-if)# ip address 172.16.3.1 255.255.255.0 R2(config-if)# no shutdown R2(config-if)# end R2# show ip route Codes: C - connected, S - static, I - IGRP, R - RIP, M - mobile, <text omitted> Gateway of last resort is not set Level 1 Parent Route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 1 subnets Level 2 C 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 Child Route C 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

Another type of level 1 network route, a parent route. When the 172.16.3.0 subnet was added to the routing table, Another route, 172.16.0.0 also added. First entry: no next-hop IP address or exit interface information. This route is known as a level 1 parent route.

14

Parent and Child Routes: Classful Networks

R2# show ip route Codes: C - connected, S - static, I - IGRP, R - RIP, M - mobile, <text omitted> Gateway of last resort is not set Level 1 Parent Route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 1 subnets Level 2 C 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 Child Route C 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

A parent route is a heading: Indicates the presence of level 2 routes, also known as child routes. A level 1 parent route is automatically created any time a subnet is added to the routing table. A parent route is created whenever a route with a mask greater than the classful mask is entered into the routing table. The subnet 172.16.3.0 is the level 2 child route of the parent route 172.16.0.0.
15

Parent and Child Routes: Classful Networks

Level 1 Parent Route Level 2 Child Route

A level 2 route is a route that is a subnet of a classful network address. Like a level 1 route, the source of a level 2 route can be a : directly connected network static route dynamic routing protocol.

16

 Parent route: 172.16.0.0: The classful network address for our subnet. /24: The subnet mask for all the child routes. If the child routes have variable-length subnet masks (VLSM), the subnet mask will be excluded from the parent route and included with the individual child routes. (later). is subnetted, 1 subnets: This part of the route specifies that this is a parent route and in this case has one child route (that is, one subnet).
17

 Child route: C: The route code for a directly connected network. 172.16.3.0: The specific route entry. is directly connected: Along with the route code of C, this specifies that this is a directly connected network with an administrative distance of 0. FastEthernet0/0: The exit interface for forwarding packets that match this specific route entry.

18

 A level 2 child route contains the route source and the network address of the route. Notice that the subnet mask is not included with the subnet, the level 2 child route. The subnet mask for this child route is the /24 mask included in its parent route, 172.16.0.0. Level 2 child routes are also considered ultimate routes because they contain the next-hop IP address or exit interface.

19

Adding another child route

R2(config)# interface serial 0/0/0 R2(config-if)# ip address 172.16.2.2 255.255.255.0 R2(config-if)# no shutdown R2(config-if)# end R2# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 2 subnets C 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 C 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 C 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

The routing table shows two child routes for the same 172.16.0.0/24 parent route. 172.16.2.0 and 172.16.3.0 are members both members of the 172.16.0.0/16 classful network. Because both child routes have the same subnet mask, the parent route still maintains the /24 mask but now shows two subnets. Later we will see the role of the parent route.

20

Adding another child route

If child routes are deleted there is no parent route.

If there is only a single level 2 child route and that route is removed, the level 1 parent route is automatically deleted. A level 1 parent route exists only when there is at least one level 2 child route.

21

Parent and Child Routes: Classless Networks

For this discussion, we switch briefly to the RouterX topology.

22

Parent and Child Routes: Classless Networks

RouterX# show ip route 172.16.0.0/16 is 172.16.1.4/30 172.16.1.8/30 172.16.3.0/24 variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0

C C C

All three subnets belong to the classful network 172.16.0.0/16 and are therefore level 2 child routes. Notice that the child routes do not share the same subnet mask, as was the case in the classful example. Implementing a network addressing scheme with VLSM. Whenever there are two or more child routes with different subnet masks belonging to the same classful network, the routing table presents a slightly different view, which states that this parent network is variably subnetted.

23

Parent and Child Routes: Classless Networks

The parent route of 172.16.0.0 now contains the classful mask /16. In the classful example shown earlier the classful mask was not displayed. Parent route states that the child routes are variably subnetted. Includes the number of different masks of the child routes (2 masks). Each child route now contains the subnet mask for that specific route. In the non-VLSM example both child routes shared the same subnet mask, 24 and the parent displayed their common subnet mask.

 Parent route: 172.16.0.0: The parent route, the classful network address associated with all child routes /16: The classful subnet mask of the parent route variably subnetted: States that the child routes are variably subnetted and that there are multiple masks for this classful network 3 subnets, 2 masks: Indicates the number of subnets and the number of different subnet masks for the child routes under this parent route
25

 Child route: C: The route code for a directly connected network 172.16.1.4: The specific route entry /30: The subnet mask for this specific route is directly connected: Along with the route code of C, specifies that this is a directly connected network with an administrative distance of 0 Serial0/0/0: The exit interface for forwarding packets that match this specific route entry
26

Routing Table Lookup Process

Routing Table Lookup Process

IP Packet Routing Table

Find best match

When a router receives a packet on one of its interfaces. The routing table lookup process compares the destination IP address of the incoming packet with the entries in the routing table. The best match between the packets destination IP address and the route in the routing table is used to determine to which interface to forward the packet.

28

Steps in the Route Table Lookup Process

R1(config)# router rip R1(config-router)# network 172.16.0.0 R2(config)# router rip R2(config-router)# network 172.16.0.0 R2(config-router)# network 192.168.1.0 R3(config)# router rip R3(config-router)# network 172.16.0.0 R3(config-router)# network 192.168.1.0

We have specifically chosen a classful routing protocol with our discontiguous 172.16.0.0 subnets. The reason for this will become evident in a later section.

29

Steps in the Route Table Lookup Process

R1# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets C 172.16.1.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 C 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 R 172.16.3.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0 R 192.168.1.0/24 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0 R2# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets R 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:07, Serial0/0/0 C 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 C 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 C 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 R3# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 1 subnets C 172.16.4.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 C 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 Neither R1 nor R2 has a route to 172.16.4.0. Also, R3 does not have routes to subnets 172.16.1.0/24, 172.16.2.0/24, or 172.16.3.0/24.

30

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 1. The router examines level 1 routes, including network routes and supernet routes, for the best match with the destination address of the IP packet
31

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 1a. If the best match is a level 1 ultimate routea classful network, supernet, or default routethis route is used to forward the packet
32

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 1b. If the best match is a level 1 parent route, proceed to Step 2

33

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 2. The router examines child routes (the subnet routes) of the parent route for a best match.
34

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 2a. If there is a match with a level 2 child route, that subnet is used to forward the packet.
35

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 2b. If there is not a match with any of the level 2 child routes, proceed to Step 3.
36

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 3. Is the router implementing classful or classless routing behavior. (later) Router(config)# no ip classless Router(config)# ip classless

37

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 3a. If classful routing behavior is in effect, terminate the lookup process and drop the packet. Router(config)# no ip classless
38

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 3b. If classless routing behavior is in effect, continue searching level 1 supernet routes in the routing table for a match, including the default route, if there is one.
39

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 4. If there is now a lesser match with a level 1 supernet or default routes, the router uses that route to forward the packet.
40

The Route Lookup Process

Routing Table

Step 5. If there is not a match with any route in the routing table, the router drops the packet.
41

Longest Match

(Digressing from topology) For there to be a match between the destination IP address of a packet and a route in the routing table, a minimum number of leftmost bits must match between the IP address of the packet and the route in the routing table. The subnet mask of the route in the routing table is used to determine the minimum number of leftmost bits that must match. IP packet only contains the IP address and not the subnet mask.

42

Longest Match

All three routes match but Route 3 has the longest match.

The best match or longest match is the route in the routing table that has the greatest number of leftmost matching bits with the destination IP address of the packet. The route with the greatest number of equivalent leftmost bits, or the longest match, is always the preferred route. Subnet mask in routing table specifies the minimum number of leftmost matching bits the only bits that are considered.

43

Example: Level 1 Ultimate Route

44

Example: Level 1 Ultimate Route

R1# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets C 172.16.1.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 C 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 R 172.16.3.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0 R 192.168.1.0/24 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0

PC1 sends a ping to 192.168.1.2, the serial interface on R3.

45

192.168.1.2

R1# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets R 192.168.1.0/24 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0

The router first examines level 1 routes for the best match.

46

192.168.1.2

R1# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets R 192.168.1.0/24 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0

There is a match between the destination IP address 192.168.1.2 and the level 1 ultimate route of 192.168.1.0/24. R1 uses this route and forwards the packet out interface Serial 0/0/0.
47

192.168.1.2

Example: Level 1 Ultimate Route

Why is there a match with the 192.168.1.0/24 level 1 route and not with one of the 172.16.0.0 subnets? Why is there not a match with any of the 172.16.0.0/24 subnets in the routing table?
48

192.168.1.2

Example: Level 1 Ultimate Route

172.16.0.0/24 is a parent route of three subnets or child routes. Before a child route is examined for a match, there must be at least a match between the destination IP address of the packet and the classful address of the parent route, or 172.16.0.0/16. 16 bits (/16) must match the route 172.16.0.0/16 no match!

49

192.168.1.2

Example: Level 1 Ultimate Route

No match

Match

R1# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets C 172.16.1.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 C 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 R 172.16.3.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0 R 192.168.1.0/24 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0

R1 forwards the packet out Serial0/0/0.

50

Longest Match: Level 1 Parent and Level 2 Child Routes

51

Longest Match: Level 1 Parent and Level 2 Child Routes

172.16.3.10

Match

R1# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets C 172.16.1.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 C 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 R 172.16.3.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0 R 192.168.1.0/24 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0

Examine what happens when there is a match with a level 1 parent route. Before any level 2 child routes are examined for a match, there must be a match between the classful address of the level 1 parent route and the destination IP address of the packet.

52

172.16.3.10

Longest Match: Level 1 Parent and Level 2 Child Routes

PC1 sends a ping to PC2 at 172.16.3.10. R1 receives the packet and forwards it to R2.

53

172.16.3.10

Match

R1# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets C 172.16.1.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 C 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 R 172.16.3.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0 R 192.168.1.0/24 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0

The first match that occurs is with the level 1 parent route, 172.16.0.0. With non-VLSM subnets, the classful mask of the parent is not displayed. Before any child routes (subnets) are examined for a match, there must be a match with the classful address of the parent route. Because 172.16.0.0 is a Class B address, 16 leftmost bits must match. 16 bits match the parent route, 172.16.0.0.

54

172.16.3.10

R1# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets Examine child C 172.16.1.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 routes C 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 R 172.16.3.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0 R 192.168.1.0/24 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0

Because there is a match with the parent route, the level 2 child routes will be examined for a match. The actual subnet mask of /24 is used for the minimum number of leftmost bits that must match.
55

172.16.3.10

Match

R1# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets C 172.16.1.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 C 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 R 172.16.3.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0 R 192.168.1.0/24 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0

The route lookup process searches the child routes for a match. In this case, there must be a minimum of 24 bits that match. Of the three subnets there is only one route that has 24 bits that match:
172.16.3.0
56

172.16.3.10

Match Parent No match child No match child Match child

The router checks the last child route for 172.16.3.0/24 and finds a match. The first 24 bits do match.
57

172.16.3.10
Match Parent No match No match Match child

R1# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets C 172.16.1.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 C 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 R 172.16.3.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0 R 192.168.1.0/24 [120/1] via 172.16.2.2, 00:00:25, Serial0/0/0

If this child route did not have an exit interface and only included a next-hop IP address, the next-hop IP address would need to be resolved to an exit interface. The lookup process would need to start from the beginning, this time searching the routing table for the nexthop IP address. What happens if the router does not have a route? In this scenario, it discards the packet.

58

Example: Route Lookup Process with VLSM

59

Example: Route Lookup Process with VLSM

172.16.1.5 RouterX# show ip route
Match Parent Match child

C C C

172.16.0.0/16 is 172.16.1.4/30 172.16.1.8/30 172.16.3.0/24

variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0

Packets destination IP Address: 172.16.1.5 Using VSLM does not change the lookup process. The only difference with VLSM is that child routes display their own specific subnet masks. 16 bits match the parent route, 172.16.0.0. For there to be a match with the 172.16.1.4 child route, a minimum of 30 leftmost bits must match because the subnet mask is /30
60

Routing Behavior

Classful and Classless Routing Behavior

172.16.4.10 R2# show ip route
Match Parent No match No match No match

Now what?

R C C C S*

172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:00, Serial0/0/0 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 0.0.0.0/0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

What happens when there is a match between the packets destination IP address and a level 1 parent route, but there is not a match with any of the level 2 child routes? We might assume the routing table lookup process continues looking for a less-specific match in the routing table. However, you will see that this might or might not be the case depending on the configuration of the router.

62

Classful and Classless Routing Behavior

Classless and classful routing behaviors are not the same as classless and classful routing protocols. Classful and classless routing protocols affect how the routing table is populated. Classful and classless routing behaviors determine how the routing table is searched after it is populated.

63

Topology Changes

Classful routing protocols such as RIPv1 do not support discontiguous networks. Even though our current topology has discontiguous networks, we can configure static routes to reach those networks.

64

Topology Changes
R2(config)# ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 s0/0/1 R2(config)# router rip R2(config-router)# default-information originate R2(config-router)# no network 192.168.1.0 R2(config-router)# end R2# show ip route 172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:00, Serial0/0/0 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 0.0.0.0/0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

R C C C S*

65

Topology Changes
R3(config)# ip route 172.16.0.0 255.255.0.0 s0/0/1 R3(config)# no router rip R3(config-router)# end R3# show ip route 172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks 172.16.4.0/24 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 172.16.0.0/16 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

C S C

Notice that the static route for the same network as the parent route is a child route in the routing table. This is because there is a child route for that parent. If there wasnt a 172.16.4.0/24 child route, then this 172.16.0.0/16 static route would be a level 1 ultimate route.
66

Routing Behavior

Routing Table

Step 3. Is the router implementing classful or classless routing behavior. (later) Router(config)# no ip classless Router(config)# ip classless

67

Classful Routing Behavior: no ip classless

R2# show ip route
Match Parent No match No match No match

Now what?

R C C C S*

172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:00, Serial0/0/0 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 0.0.0.0/0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

R1(config)# no ip classless R2(config)# no ip classless R3(config)# no ip classless What happens when there is a match with a parent, but none of the child routes match? Before Cisco IOS Software Release 11.3, no ip classless was the default behavior for Cisco routers. The command no ip classless means that the route lookup process uses classful routing table lookups by default.

68

Classful Routing Behavior: Search Process

R2 receives a packet destined for PC3 at 172.16.4.10

69

172.16.4.10

Classful Routing Behavior: no ip classless

R2# show ip route
Match Parent No match No match No match

Now what?

R C C C S*

172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:00, Serial0/0/0 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 0.0.0.0/0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

The routing process searches the routing table and finds a 16-bit match with the parent route 172.16.0.0. None of the child routes have 24 leftmost bits that match the 24 leftmost bits of the destination IP address 172.16.4.10.

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Classful Routing Behavior: no ip classless

R2# show ip route
Match Parent No match No match No match

Now what?

R C C C S*

172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:00, Serial0/0/0 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 0.0.0.0/0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

DROP PACKET

So, what happens next? Router R2 drops the packet. Default route is never checked or used.
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Classless Routing Behavior: ip classless

Remember: R2 receives a packet destined for PC3 at 172.16.4.10

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Classless Routing Behavior: ip classless

R2# show ip route
Match Parent No match No match No match

Now what?

R C C C S*

172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:00, Serial0/0/0 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 0.0.0.0/0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

R1(config)# ip classless R2(config)# ip classless R3(config)# ip classless Cisco IOS 11.3, Cisco changed the default routing behavior from classful to classless. ip classless command is configured by default. Classless routing behavior means that the routing process no longer assumes that all subnets for a major classful network can be reached only within the child routes of the parent. Classless routing behavior works well for discontiguous networks and classless 73 interdomain routing (CIDR) supernets.

172.16.4.10

Step 3b. If classless routing behavior is in effect, continue searching level 1 supernet routes in the routing table for a match, including the default route, if there is one.

Step 4. If there is now a lesser match with a level 1 supernet or default routes, the router uses that route to forward the packet.
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Classless Routing Behavior: ip classless

R2# show ip route
Match Parent No match No match No match

Now what?

R C C C S*

172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:00, Serial0/0/0 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 0.0.0.0/0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

The 192.168.1.0/24 route does not have 24 leftmost bits that match the destination IP address. /0, which means that zero or no bits need to match. A default route will be the lowest-bit match. In classless routing behavior, if no other route matches, the default route will match.

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Classless Routing Behavior: ip classless

R2# show ip route
Match Parent No match No match No match

Now what?

R C C C S*

172.16.0.0/24 is subnetted, 3 subnets 172.16.1.0 [120/1] via 172.16.2.1, 00:00:00, Serial0/0/0 172.16.2.0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/0 172.16.3.0 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1 0.0.0.0/0 is directly connected, Serial0/0/1

Continue searching level 1 supernet routes. The default route is a match, so I is used to forward the packet.

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Classless Routing Behavior: ip classless

Step 5. If there is not a match with any route in the routing table, the router drops the packet.
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Classful Routing Behavior: no ip classless

Classless Routing Behavior: ip classless

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