Routing Protocol

The Routing Protocol is used to specify the router that how it should communicate with each other. The Routing Protocol is used to filter the network traffic. It also provides the Router with the information regarding the number of favorable paths available for routing; it is upto the router which path to select.

The Routing Protocol also performs several vital functions related with hop number, checking of Network traffic, stabilizing average error rates, bandwidth, latency etc. The Routing Protocol can to classified into two main types

• Interior Routing Protocol- Used in an autonomous System. It consists of the following types

Distance Vector Routing Protocol- In this protocol the routing decisions are based on the distance of the remote destination. In Distance Vector Routing Protocol (DVRP) each network does not fully pass the information about the Network topology. It updates the network step by step due to which a larger bandwidth is required. Each router sends the information on periodical basis. Examples of Distance Vector Routing Protocol are Routing Information Protocol, Interior Gateway Routing Protocol & Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol.

Link State Protocol- In this protocol the routing decisions are made upon the messages received from other router in the internetwork which gives information about the links connected to it. Each node passes information about complete topology. Each router builds up a topological database with themselves at the top of the tree. Routers communicate with each other for sharing latest information. The processing power required is more due to communication and storage. Examples of Link State Protocol are Open Shortest path First and Intermediate system to Intermediate system.

• Exterior Routing Protocol- It’s a simple protocol which is limited to tree like topology. It is not seen so often these days. It was used to connect the autonomous systems. Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is the latest one used today.