In telecommunications, the term deterministic routing has the following meanings:
1. In a switched network, switching in which the routes between given pairs of nodes are pre-programmed, i.e., are determined, in advance of transmission.
Note: The routes used to complete a given call through a network are identified, in advance of transmission, in routing tables maintained in each switch database. The tables assign the trunks that are to be used to reach each switch code, area code, and International Access Prefix (IAP), usually with one or two alternate routes.
2. In a non-switched network, routing in which the routes between given pairs of nodes are determined in advance.
Note: The routes used to send a given message through a network are identified in advance in routing tables maintained in a database.
This article incorporates public domain material from the General Services Administration document "Federal Standard 1037C".