The function of external entries is to inform routed that another routing process will install such a route, and that alternate routes to that destination should not be installed. Such entries are only required when both routers may learn of routes to the same destination. The net or host keyword indicates if the route is to a network or specific host. Name1 is the name of the destination network or host. Name2 is the name or address of the gateway to which messages should be forwarded.
Value is a metric indicating the hop count to the destination host or network.
EGP is required in order to provide routes for local networks to the rest of the Internet system. The kernel's routing tables may not correspond to those of routed when redirects change or add routes. Routed should note any redirects received by reading the ICMP packets received via a raw socket. Routed should listen to intelligent interfaces, such as an IMP to gather more information.