CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What is the main advantage of static routing in smaller networks?

1. Automatic route updates

2. No overhead from routing protocols

3. Scalability

4. Real-time network updates

The correct answer is: No overhead from routing protocols

The primary advantage of static routing in smaller networks is that it incurs no overhead from routing protocols. In smaller networks, the number of routes is limited, and the network topology is usually simpler, making static routing manageable and efficient. By using static routes, network administrators can manually define the paths that data packets take through the network. This approach does not require routing protocols to compute paths, which can consume bandwidth and processing power. Therefore, since there is no need for dynamic exchange of routing information, static routing results in more predictable and stable routing behavior, particularly in environments where the network topology does not change frequently. This characteristic can lead to reduced latency and improved performance, as routing decisions are made based on pre-set paths rather than on real-time calculations or updates.