Static routing allows routing tables in specific routers to be set up by the network administrator. Dynamic routing use Routing Protocols that dynamically discover network destinations and how to get to them. Dynamic routing allows routing tables in routers to change if a router on the route goes down. Examples of Routing Protocols are RIP, EIGRP and OSPF.

There are three basic types of routing protocols.

Distance-vector Routing Protocols: Distance-vector Routing Protocols use simple algorithms that calculate a cumulative distance value between routers based on hop count.

Example: RIP

Link-state Routing Protocols: Link-state Routing Protocols use sophisticated algorithms that maintain a complex database of internetwork topology.

Example: OSPF

Hybrid Routing Protocols: Hybrid Routing Protocols use a combination of distance-vector and link-state methods that tries to incorporate the advantages of both and minimize their disadvantages.

Example: EIGRP