Next Hop Resolution Protocol


The Next Hop Resolution Protocol is an extension of the ATM ARP routing mechanism that is sometimes used to improve the efficiency of routing computer network traffic over Non-Broadcast, Multiple Access Networks. It is defined in IETF RFC 2332, and further described in RFC 2333. It can be used by a sender to determine a route with the fewest hops to a receiver. The protocol differs from ARP-type protocols in that it allows routing optimization across multiple IP subnets. NHRP is implemented by means of next-hop servers across IP subnets. The NHRP forms a part of the Multiprotocol Encapsulation over ATM protocol as described in RFC 2684. It also plays a role in Cisco's Dynamic Multipoint Virtual Private Network. A limitation of NHRP is its inability to improve multicast protocols.

Description

From RFC 2332:
" allows a source station, wishing to communicate over subnetwork, to determine the internetworking layer addresses and NBMA addresses of suitable 'NBMA next hops' toward a destination station."