VRRP ensures data transfers are not lost in transit on a LAN by using a backup router connected to a virtual IP address. If the master router fails, another takes over. Other companies have similar protocols, such as Cisco’s HSRP and Digital Equipment Corporation’s IPSTB.
Virtual Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) is a way to make sure that data transfers are not lost in transit. Best of all, it requires very little extra equipment.
The primary focus of VRRP is data transmitted over a local area network (LAN). Traditionally, such data transfers are done using a router. In the best tradition of the US federal government, it is good practice to provide redundant transfer systems. In other words, use a backup router to make sure the data transfer is successful.
One way to ensure this backup works over a network is to use the Internet. All routers involved in data transfer are connected to a virtual Internet Protocol (IP) address. In the case of VRRP, however, it’s not just a router that acts as a backup; rather, only one router is the master and everything else is backup.
This system is possible because each router is tied to the virtual IP address via VRRP. If the master router fails, one by one the other routers become the master. The one who gets the virtual IP address first is the new master. If that master fails, another of the connected routers takes over the duties of the master.
The more routers connected to the network, the more opportunities the network has to secure data transfer. If every single router in the network chain fails, the problems associated with that failure are likely to be greater than the loss of transferred data. However, such a catastrophic failure is not likely. What is much more likely is a router failing, being replaced by another via VRRP.
VRRP is a generic connectivity standard. Some computer systems giants have their own similar systems. Cisco Systems has the Hot StandRouter Protocol (HSRP). Digital Equipment Corporation has the IP Stand(IPSTB) protocol. These acronyms are different ways of saying the same thing. They are both VRRP.
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