Convergence (routing)

Convergence in routing means that when there is a change in the network, like when a path or connection breaks or a new device is added, the system figures out a new way to get the data to its destination. It's like you're playing a game of hopscotch and suddenly the square you need to land on disappears, so you have to find a different way to get to the end.

Routing is like a map that tells the network where to send data. When a change happens, the routers (the devices that manage the traffic on the network) talk to each other to figure out a new path. This process is called convergence.

Convergence takes time because the routers need to communicate with each other and figure out the best path for the data. It's like trying to decide which way to go when you're lost – sometimes it takes a bit of discussion and thought to make the right choice.

Once the routers have converged and agreed on a new path, the network starts using that path instead of the old one. This can happen in a few seconds or minutes, depending on the complexity of the network.

So, in summary, convergence in routing is when the network figures out a new path for data to take when something changes, and it can take a bit of time for the routers to talk to each other and make a decision. It's like trying to find a new way to get to your destination when a road is closed, but with computers and magic.