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Virtual routing and forwarding
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Internet_Protocol/Qq6VeEal">IP-based</a> <a href="/facts/Computer_network/3w5RM99p">computer networks</a>, virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) is a technology that allows multiple instances of a <a href="/facts/Routing_table/tufajWvV">routing table</a> to co-exist within the same router at the same time. One or more logical or physical interfaces may have a VRF and these VRFs do not share routes. Therefore, the packets are only forwarded between interfaces on the same VRF. VRFs are the <a href="/facts/Internet_Protocol/Qq6VeEal"> TCP/IP</a> layer 3 equivalent of a <a href="/facts/VLAN/QhdJNaWX">VLAN</a>. Because the routing instances are independent, the same or overlapping <a href="/facts/IP_address/z9V22Sw9">IP addresses</a> can be used without conflicting with each other. Network functionality is improved because network paths can be segmented without requiring multiple routers. </p>