Stub network definition
A stub network is a local area network (LAN) that does not connect to the outside. A stub network can connect to outside networks but only through a single default path. It only relays packets of data internally. It can also be a dead-end LAN that only knows of one network exit. A stub network can have multiple connections, but it uses one path to single points of destination. It only has one default path to non-local hosts and has no knowledge about outside networks. So a stub network can either have one way to reach a single destination or it can have multiple ways to reach different points of a destination.
Stub network examples
- Internet service provider. An ISP provides internet services to users, who can use them either via one router or multiple routers connected to the same network. Each user represents a stub network for the ISP.
- LAN. A LAN that does not carry multiple router data packets and transmits data to or from local hosts.
- Open Shortest Path First. An OSPF area that has one default OSPF routing domain path is also an example of a stub network. The OSPF area can have multiple routers with the same exit route.
- Stub autonomous system. A stub autonomous system is connected to only one autonomous system, which is a collection of IP routing prefixes controlled by one or more network operators. The stub autonomous system accesses the internet through the autonomous system and represents another example of a stub network.
