Steps of Anycast Routing

Step-1

Assigning an anycast address to multiple nodes in a network. These can be statically and dynamically. Each node that provides the same service and function will have the same IP address. This can done manually and automatically assigned by a protocol such as DHCP.

Step-2

Advertising the anycast address to other nodes in the network. It uses anycast routing protocol. Each node that has the anycast address will announce it to its neighbors. These can use protocol such as BGP2 and OSPF3. This will propagate the information throughout the network.

Step-3

Forwarding packets sent to the anycast address. It is sent to nearest and best node based on some criteria. These are hop count, latency, bandwidth, and load. When a packet is sent to the anycast address. Routers in the network will use their routing tables and algorithms to determine the best path. It reaches one of the nodes that has the anycast address. Then forward the packet accordingly.

Step-4

Handling failures and changes in the network topology. It updates the anycast routing protocol. If a node that has the anycast address becomes unavailable and unreachable. Also if a new node joins/leaves the network. Then anycast routing protocol will detect and react to these events. Then update the routing tables and paths accordingly.

Anycast routing is a way of sending data over the network to the destination. It has multiple possible locations. For example, suppose you want to access a website that has servers in different countries. Anycast routing can help you connect to the server that is closest and best for you. Instead of sending you to a fixed location, web browsing is faster and more reliable.

• Anycast routing is different from other types of routing. Such as unicast, multicast, and broadcast.
• Unicast routing is when data is sent from one source to one destination. Such as when you send an email to a friend.
• Multicast routing is when data is sent from one source to many destinations. Such as when you watch a live stream online.
• Broadcast routing is when data is sent from one source to all destinations. such as when you send a message to everyone on a network.