In VRRP, what term is used to describe the router that currently forwards packets sent to the virtual IP address?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is “Master”.
In Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP), the router that currently forwards packets sent to the virtual IP address is called the Master router. VRRP is designed to provide high availability and redundancy for IP networks by creating a virtual router, which is represented by a shared virtual IP address. This virtual IP address is used by devices on the network as the default gateway.
The VRRP protocol involves multiple routers participating in the same VRRP group. One router is elected as the Master router, and this router assumes the responsibility of forwarding traffic to and from the virtual IP address. The Master router is selected based on the highest priority value or, in the case of a tie, the highest IP address.
Other routers in the VRRP group, known as Backup routers, monitor the Master router. If the Master router fails or becomes unreachable, one of the Backup routers will take over the role of the Master and begin forwarding traffic. This failover process ensures that the network remains operational even if one router goes down.
The key advantage of VRRP is that it provides automatic failover and load sharing. When the Master router becomes unavailable, the Backup router with the next highest priority will immediately step in without requiring manual intervention. This helps maintain network stability and reliability.
The Master router sends periodic advertisement messages to inform the Backup routers that it is still active. If a Backup router does not receive an advertisement within a certain time interval, it will initiate a new election to determine which router should become the new Master.
In summary, the Master router is the one that forwards packets for the virtual IP address and ensures uninterrupted service in a VRRP-configured network.