Adaptive routing finds a clear path through a network of nodes that can change. It’s used in computer networks, GPS, and AI. The internet uses adaptive routing algorithms to find new routes if necessary. Fixed route networks have set paths, but can fail if a vital node is compromised. Different protocols are used for different purposes. Adaptive routing can also be applied to GPS with real-time traffic information.
Adaptive routing is the process of finding a clear path from a point of origin to a point of destination through a network of nodes that could change at any point. In computer networks, adaptive routing algorithms are used to ensure that packets of data can move from one point on the network to another, even if one or more intermediate nodes are unavailable. Adaptive routing concepts are also used by software to provide travel instructions in global positioning systems and can be used in other applications, such as artificial intelligence.
The most widely available example of adaptive routing is the Internet, which is essentially a worldwide computer network. Data travels through this network from node to node, server to server. The Internet is a dynamic network and implements special routing algorithms, which means that if several servers between two cities are unavailable, the algorithms will find a new route from one city to another through the available nodes.
Networks that do not use adaptive routing are known as fixed route networks. These networks have set paths along which packets move with no ability to change the routes unless an administrator reprograms or rewires operational routers. Networks fixed-route systems have the advantage that they are sometimes faster over certain distances, but have the vulnerability of completely failing to deliver packets if a vital node is compromised.
Even in a dynamically routed network, the most direct and shortest path is attempted first. Using protocols, data is able to gather the topography of the network it is traveling on to determine which paths are viable and which path is the most fast. This information is based on the state of a network. State information is transferred via adaptive routing protocols from each node.
Different adaptive routing protocols have been developed for different purposes: The Intermediate-system-to-intermediate-system (IS-IS) protocol is designed to route data through large networks such as Internet backbones. Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is excellent for short distance transport. Some experimental protocols attempt to increase the speed and efficiency of packet movement without requiring complete knowledge of the state of the network.
The same concepts used to find the path from one node of a network to another can also be applied to applications such as global positioning systems. With information about the state of a city and its streets, an effective route from a destination to another The addition of real-time traffic information can add weight to each junction, or street, in a city, helping to determine the fastest route.
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