Routing and forwarding are two concepts used in networking to move data packets from one network device to another. Although they are related, there are distinct differences between the two:

1. Routing: It refers to the process of determining the most appropriate path for data packets to travel from the source network to the destination network. Routing involves the use of routing protocols and algorithms to calculate paths based on factors like network congestion, link quality, and administrative preferences. Routers are responsible for making routing decisions by examining the destination address of packets and referring to their routing tables to choose the best path.

2. Forwarding: Once the routing decision is made, forwarding occurs. Forwarding is the act of actually sending the data packets from one device to another according to the determined path. It involves the retrieval of data packets from incoming interfaces, examining the destination IP addresses, and sending them out the appropriate outgoing interface. Forwarding is typically performed within individual network devices such as routers, switches, or firewalls.

In essence, routing is the higher-level process that involves making decisions about the path a packet should take, while forwarding is the lower-level operation of physically moving the packet from one device's input interface to the output interface along the chosen path.

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