Route Table
A set of rules used to determine where network traffic is directed within a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) in AWS.
Description
In the context of Amazon Web Services (AWS), a route table is a crucial component of networking within a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC). It contains a set of rules, known as routes, that are used to determine how traffic is directed within the network. Each route specifies a destination CIDR block and a target, which can be an Internet Gateway, a Virtual Private Gateway, a NAT Gateway, an Elastic Network Interface, or other resources. Route tables are associated with subnets and govern the flow of traffic between subnets as well as between the VPC and the outside world. For instance, a route table can direct traffic from a public subnet to the Internet Gateway for outbound internet access, while directing traffic from a private subnet to a NAT Gateway for accessing the internet securely. Understanding route tables is essential for configuring networking in AWS correctly, ensuring that applications can communicate effectively and securely across different network boundaries.
Examples
- A route table directing public traffic from a web server subnet to an Internet Gateway for serving web applications.
- A route table allowing instances in a private subnet to access the internet through a NAT Gateway, enabling software updates without exposing the instances directly to the internet.
Additional Information
- Each VPC automatically comes with a main route table, which can be modified or additional route tables can be created and associated with specific subnets.
- Route tables can also enable communication between different VPCs using VPC peering connections by adding appropriate routes.