IP forwarding is a fundamental networking process that enables a device—typically a router, but sometimes a computer configured as a router—to pass or relay IP (Internet Protocol) packets from one network to another. This allows data to travel between different network segments, such as between subnets or across the internet, by directing packets to their appropriate destination based on their IP addresses.
When a device with IP forwarding enabled receives a data packet, it checks the destination IP address. If the packet is not intended for itself, the device consults its routing table to determine the best next hop or interface for the packet. The packet is then forwarded to the next network device or segment, continuing this process until it reaches its final destination.