Which of the following are elements that can be part of a route in the forwarding table?

The correct answer includes elements that are essential for forwarding decisions within a network. Specifically, the outgoing interface determines which port or link the packet will exit from and the next-hop IP address specifies where the packet should be routed next in the destination path. These elements are critical for ensuring that packets can be routed efficiently from the source to the destination through various points in the network.

Next-hop MAC address and destination port, although relevant in some contexts, are not standard components of a forwarding table entry in IP routing. The forwarding table for a router primarily utilizes the IP layer's logical addressing for decision-making.

The emphasis on arraying the next-hop IP address alongside the outgoing interface ensures efficient routing without needing unnecessary information about layer 2 data such as MAC addresses or ports, which are typically managed at lower layers.

This clarity on the basic structure of routing information emphasizes Layer 3 operations that focus primarily on IP addressing, allowing routers to make quick, effective decisions on how to direct traffic.