Cisco Certified Network Professional Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The choice that refers to storing compiled routes in hardware is correct because Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF) significantly enhances packet forwarding efficiency by utilizing a data structure known as the Forwarding Information Base (FIB). The FIB is maintained in hardware, allowing the router to make fast forwarding decisions without needing to perform a labor-intensive lookup each time a packet needs to be sent.

By using the FIB, CEF bypasses the slower software processes that would typically involve traversing multiple routing tables, which can introduce latency. In contrast to relying solely on the routing table, CEF compiles necessary routing information in a way that optimizes packet throughput and reduces CPU overhead. The hardware-based approach means that packet forwarding can occur at wire speed, which is crucial for maintaining high performance in networks.

This methodology contrasts sharply with manual packet analysis or purely software-based routing methods, which can contribute to bottlenecks and reduced efficiency. By leveraging the capabilities of modern hardware in conjunction with optimized routing information, CEF ensures that network devices can handle a higher volume of traffic with lower latency.