Network Routing Protocols
There are a number of routing protocols that are uses daily on networks of all sizes, from small office networks to global Service Provider networks. Below is a short list of the types of routing protocols used and some of the more common protocols.
- Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs) are typically used within a single autonomous system (AS) to distribute routing information. They are used in both small and large networks, for example, in a company network or a campus network. Examples include Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), and Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS).
- Exterior Gateway Protocols (EGPs) are used to distribute routing information between different autonomous systems. They are mainly used in service provider networks, such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or large enterprises that are connected to the internet. The most commonly used EGP is Border Gateway Protocol (BGP).
- Distance-vector routing protocols are relatively simple to configure and implement and are used in small networks where routing information is exchanged periodically. Examples include RIP and IGRP.
- Link-state routing protocols are more complex to configure and implement but are more efficient in larger networks. They maintain a database that contains information about the state of the links in the network. Examples include OSPF and IS-IS.
- Hybrid routing protocols are a combination of distance-vector and link-state routing protocols and are used in networks that require the use of both types of protocols. An example is EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol). These protocols can be useful in networks where the network administrator wants to take advantage of the benefits of both distance-vector and link-state protocols.
