Chapter 1. Topology and Router Configurations

This chapter introduces routers and explains how they can be incorporated in networks to move data from one location to another. In addition, this chapter covers some basic IP concepts and background material that you need to understand in order to assimilate the information in later chapters. Included in this chapter are the following topics:

• Understanding the role of routers in networks

• Understanding topology and router configurations

• Understanding what a router does

• Understanding forwarding