Static Routing vs Dynamic Routing

The procedure for transferring data between different networks is called routing. It is the foundation of every data network. The routers are responsible for transferring data from one network to another network. It is learning about remote networks using two ways:

• Static Routing – The network administrator add remote networks manually into the routing table to reach a specific network. The static routing protocol cannot update dynamically.
• Dynamic Routing Protocols -Remote routes are automatically learned using a dynamic routing protocol. The route using a dynamic routing protocol automatically updates its table when changes occur in the network. It is not needed any configuration in case of changes in the network topology.

Routers can also use both static and dynamic routing protocol methods at the same time. The Static routes do not need the same amount of processing and overhead as dynamic routing protocols.

We can use static routing for smaller networks with only one path to an outside network. With a large network, static routing is too difficult therefore we can use dynamic routing protocol easily.

Most networks use a combination of dynamic routing protocols and static routes for better results and multiple paths to a destination network via static routes and dynamically learned routes.

But, the administrative distance (AD) of a static route is 1. So, a static route will take priority over all dynamically learned routes. Following is the key advantages and disadvantages of both routing types.

Advantages of Static Routing

• Static routes do not advertise its routing table over the network, resulting in better security.
• Due to using static routes, the bandwidth requirement is less than dynamic routing protocols, no CPU cycles used to calculate and communicate routes.
• The static route sends data to a known path.

Disadvantages of Static Routing

• Configuration and maintenance need more time and ability.
• When changing occurs in the network topology, it must be reconfigured manually.
• There are more chances of the wrong configuration in large networks.
• Requires whole network knowledge for proper implementation.
• The complexity increased with growing the network. So, maintenance becomes difficult.

Advantages of Dynamic Routing

• Easy to configure, also easy to maintain.
• When changing occurs in the network topology, the dynamic protocol not needed further configuration.
• There are very fewer chances of the wrong configuration in a large network.
• With network growing maintenance does not become difficult like static routing.
• Whole network knowledge is not required for maintenance.

Disadvantages of Dynamic Routing

• Dynamic routes advertise their routing table over the network, resulting in a security hazard to the network.
• The dynamic routing protocol needed a continuously handshake between each router, therefore more bandwidth is required for this protocol.
• The path for sending data using a dynamic routing protocol is not known.
• Complexity does not depend on the network size.