routes(4) Kernel Interfaces Manual routes(4)
NAME
routes - Specifies Internet routing information to the routing tables
SYNOPSIS
/etc/routes
DESCRIPTION
Static routes can be defined in the /etc/routes file. The /etc/routes file identifies static routes that are automatically added to the
network routing tables with the /usr/sbin/route add command. The /sbin/init.d/route script contains the /usr/sbin/route add command that
is executed for each entry in the /etc/routes file when the network is restarted on the system or the system is rebooted.
The general format of an entry in the /etc/routes file is: Dest Name1 Name2
The following is a brief description of each element in an /etc/routes file entry: A keyword that indicates whether the route is to a net-
work or to a host. The two possible keywords are -net and -host. The name or address of the destination network or host. Name1 can be
either a symbolic name (as used in the /etc/hosts or /etc/networks file) or an Internet address specified in dotted-decimal format. The
name or address of the gateway host to which messages should be forwarded. Name2 can be either a symbolic name (as used in the /etc/hosts
file) or an Internet address specified in dotted-decimal format.
The routes file is a Context-Dependent Symbolic Link (CDSL) and must be maintained as such. See the System Administration manual for more
information.
EXAMPLES
To specify a route to a network through a gateway host with an entry in the /etc/routes file, enter:
-net net2 host4
This example specifies a route to a network, net2, through the gateway host4. To specify a route to a host through a gateway host
with an entry in the /etc/routes file, enter:
-host host2 host4
This example specifies a route to a host, host2, through the gateway host4. To specify a route to a default gateway host with an
entry in the /etc/routes file, enter:
default 130.9.0.5
This example specifies a route to a default gateway with an Internet address of 130.9.0.5.
FILES
Contains the /usr/sbin/routed add command.
RELATED INFORMATION
Commands: route(8)
Daemons: gated(8), routed(8)
Files: gated.conf(4)
Network Administration delim off
routes(4)