What is the main purpose of creating FIB and adjacency tables in CEF?

Creating a forwarding information base (FIB) and adjacency tables is essential in Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF) as it enables the optimized forwarding of packets through the network. The FIB is a data structure that contains the best routing information for forwarding packets quickly, allowing routers to make forwarding decisions without needing to consult other tables repetitively.

When a packet arrives at the router, the device can reference the FIB to determine its next hop based on the destination IP address, facilitating rapid decision-making. The adjacency table complements the FIB by storing Layer 2 addresses of directly connected next-hop neighbors, providing the necessary information for efficient Layer 2 encapsulation. This streamlined process helps reduce latency and increases overall network performance, which is critical in high-traffic environments.

The other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not pertain directly to the primary function of the FIB and adjacency tables in CEF designed specifically for packet forwarding optimization.