Source routing

In computer networking, source routing, also called path addressing, allows a sender of a data packet to partially or completely specify the route the packet takes through the network. In contrast, in conventional routing, routers in the network determine the path incrementally based on the packet's destination. Another routing alternative, label switching, is used in connection-oriented networks such as X.25, Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode and Multiprotocol Label Switching.

Not to be confused with Source-specific routing.

Source routing allows easier troubleshooting, improved traceroute, and enables a node to discover all the possible routes to a host. It does not allow a source to directly manage network performance by forcing packets to travel over one path to prevent congestion on another.

Many high-performance interconnects including Myrinet, Quadrics, IEEE 1355, and SpaceWire support source routing.

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