In routing configuration, what is the function of a next-hop IP address?

The function of a next-hop IP address is to define the next router to which packets should be sent. In the context of routing, when a router receives a packet destined for a particular IP address, it consults its routing table to determine how to forward that packet. The next-hop address is critical for this operation since it indicates the immediate next point in the network that will handle the packet on its way to its final destination.

When a packet is forwarded to the next hop, the router uses the next-hop IP to identify which neighboring router should receive the packet. This process facilitates efficient packet routing through a series of interconnected routers, each of which may forward packets to different next hops, leading toward the final destination. The next-hop concept streamlines the routing process, allowing for dynamic and efficient management of network traffic.

Other considerations in routing, such as the source of the packet, the ultimate destination, or route metrics, play different roles within the overall routing process but do not specifically define where to send the packet as the next-hop address does.