View the routing table of the core switch
You can view a core switch's routing table using CLI commands like show ip route on Cisco devices or via the switch dashboard on GUI-based platforms such as Aruba or Ruckus switches.Using CLI on Cisco SwitchesOn Cisco Layer 3 switches, the routing table can be examined using the command:CodeCopyshow ip route This command displays all known routes, including directly connected networks, static routes, and dynamically learned routes via protocols like OSPF, EIGRP, or RIP. Each entry typically includes the destination network, subnet mask, outgoing interface, and metric used to determine the best path for packet forwarding. Dynamic routes are automatically updated based on network topology changes, while static routes are manually configured by the administrator . For Cisco Nexus switches, the same command applies, and additional options can filter or display specific route types if needed .Using GUI on Managed SwitchesFor switches with a web-based dashboard, such as Ruckus or Aruba AOS-Switches, the routing table can be accessed as follows:Ruckus Switches: Navigate to the Dashboard > Networking Devices > Switch tab, select the switch, go to Troubleshooting > IP Route, and click Show Route to view the routing table .Aruba AOS-Switches: In the Network Operations app, filter for the switch, select Manage > Devices > Switches, click the switch, then go to Overview > Routing. The routing tab displays total routes, static routes, connected routes, and details such as destination network, gateway, VLAN, and static route indicators .Understanding Routing Table EntriesA typical routing table entry includes:Destination: The network address of the route.Subnet Mask: Used to match the destination IP.Gateway/Next Hop: IP address of the next device to forward packets.Outgoing Interface: The interface through which packets are sent.Metric: Indicates the cost or preference of the route, often based on hop count or administrative distance .SummaryViewing the routing table is essential for network troubleshooting, verifying connectivity, and monitoring route propagation. Depending on the switch platform, you can use CLI commands like show ip route or GUI dashboards to access detailed routing information, including static, connected, and dynamic routes. This allows network engineers to ensure packets are routed efficiently across the network.