Passive Network

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What Does Passive Network Mean?

A passive network is a type of computer network in which each node works on a predefined function or process. Passive networks don’t execute any specialized code or instruction at any node and don’t change their behavior dynamically. Typically, this behavior is related to each network router node.

Techopedia Explains Passive Network

A passive network is one of the most common types of network found in most network environments. It requires that the entire network infrastructure be predesigned and configured prior to operation. When a packet passes through a network node in a passive network, that node only performs those actions configured within it. The router cannot execute or process any code passed within the packet data. The passive nature of the router is related to its routing tables or entries, which are only updated manually by the administrator or through neighboring routers.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.