2.1.2 Design Objectives
Because the dependent node is part of the RS/6000 SP, it had to be packaged and assigned some roles consistent with other RS/6000 SP nodes. Changes were made to the RS/6000 SP to incorporate management requirements for the dependent node.
Ease of design and implementation were important objectives in the design. These were accomplished by limiting the amount of switchcontrol protocol for the dependent node.
New SDR (System Data Repository) classes were created to manage dependent nodes. This was done to minimize the scope of the changes and the exposure to side effects that dependent nodes may cause if they were represented as standard nodes in the SDR.
2.1.3 What is a Router
One of the basic functions of the Internet Protocol (IP) is its ability to connect between different networks. This is due its routing algorithm and its flexibility to use almost any physical network below. A system that connects different physical or logical networks and directs traffic is termed a router, although the older term IP gateway is also used.
Again, IP routing is the passing of an IP packet from one device to another by sending it on a physical or logical interface. routers interconnect networks so that IP traffic can be routed between the systems in the networks, as shown in Figure 3 on page 9.