Which protocol is denoted by the abbreviation 'HSRP'?

The correct answer is denoted by 'HSRP,' which stands for Hot Standby Router Protocol. This protocol is designed to provide high availability and redundancy for IP networks by allowing multiple routers to function as a single virtual router. In an HSRP configuration, one router acts as the primary or active router, while one or more routers are in a standby state, ready to take over if the active router fails. This ensures minimal downtime and continuous network availability for users and applications.

HSRP works by using a virtual IP address and a virtual MAC address that all routers participating in the protocol share. The active router sends periodic Hello messages to communicate its status, and if it becomes unresponsive, the standby router will take over the active role, allowing traffic to continue flowing without interruption. This mechanism is crucial in environments where reliability and uptime are paramount.

Understanding HSRP is fundamental for network engineers as it directly impacts the design and resilience of network infrastructures.