What is the Difference Between Centralised Routing and Distributed Routing Protocols?

The main difference between centralized routing and distributed routing protocols lies in how routing decisions are made and where the routing information is stored. Here are the key differences:

Centralized Routing Protocols:

1. Create a centralized database for storing routing information.
2. A single central node is responsible for making all routing decisions.
3. The central node collects information from all other nodes in the network.
4. Suitable for networks with a large number of nodes and complex topologies.
5. Easier to manage and maintain, as all decisions are made by a single entity.
6. More prone to single points of failure, as the central node must be operational for the network to function properly.

Distributed Routing Protocols:

1. Utilize a distributed database for storing routing information.
2. Each node in the network is responsible for making its own routing decisions.
3. Nodes exchange information with their neighbors to determine the best routes.
4. More suitable for smaller networks with simpler topologies.
5. Provides better fault tolerance and redundancy, as there is no single central node that can fail and disrupt the entire network.

In summary, centralized routing protocols are more suitable for large, complex networks where a single central node can manage and optimize the routing process. Distributed routing protocols are better suited for smaller, simpler networks that require greater redundancy and fault tolerance. In some cases, a mix of both protocols may be used to achieve optimal routing performance.

Comparative Table: Centralised Routing vs Distributed Routing Protocols

Here is a table comparing Centralised Routing and Distributed Routing Protocols:

Centralised Routing Protocols use a central node to make routing decisions and maintain a centralised database for storing the routing table. This approach is efficient in terms of resource utilization but is vulnerable to failures as the central node is responsible for making all routing decisions.

Distributed Routing Protocols, on the other hand, make each device in the network responsible for making routing decisions. This approach is inefficient in terms of resource utilization compared to centralised routing, as each node calculates the routing table independently. However, it is more fault-tolerant and scalable, making it suitable for large and complex networks.