👉 Routers use a combination of mathematical principles, primarily from graph theory and linear algebra, to manage network traffic efficiently. At the core is the concept of
graph theory
, where routers represent nodes (or vertices) and the links between them form edges. The
shortest path algorithm
, such as Dijkstra's or Bellman-Ford, is crucial for determining the optimal path for data packets to travel from a source to a destination, minimizing latency and maximizing throughput.
Linear algebra
comes into play when representing and manipulating large matrices that describe network topologies, such as adjacency matrices or link-state databases. These matrices help routers quickly compute distances and make informed routing decisions. Additionally,
probability theory
is used in techniques like
random routing
and
traffic engineering
to dynamically adjust routes based on network conditions, ensuring efficient use of resources and robustness against failures.