What routers does HSRP use in its operation?

HSRP, or Hot Standby Router Protocol, operates with two primary roles among participating routers: Active and Standby. The Active router is responsible for forwarding traffic, while the Standby router is on standby, ready to take over if the Active router fails. This setup ensures network resilience and high availability, allowing for seamless communication even during device failures.

The term "Active" clearly defines the role of the router that is currently managing traffic, while "Standby" specifies the router that is prepared to take over. This terminology is critical because it reflects the protocol's functionality of providing a reliable failover mechanism for network routers, enhancing overall network stability.

Other terms, such as Master / Backup, Primary / Secondary, or Leader / Follower, may describe similar relationships or functionalities in different contexts or protocols, but they do not accurately represent the specific roles used in HSRP. Thus, the use of "Active" and "Standby" is essential to precisely convey the purpose and operational dynamics of HSRP.