Distance Vector Routing Protocols W.lilakiatsakun

Meaning of distance Vector (1/2) A router using a distance vector routing protocol does not have the knowledge of the entire path to a destination network. A router using a distance vector routing protocol does not have the knowledge of the entire path to a destination network. The router only knows The router only knows –The direction or interface in which packets should be forwarded and –The distance or how far it is to the destination network

Meaning of distance Vector (2/2)

Operation of distance vector (1/4) Some distance vector routing protocols call for the router to periodically broadcast the entire routing table to each of its neighbors. Some distance vector routing protocols call for the router to periodically broadcast the entire routing table to each of its neighbors. This method is inefficient because the updates not only consume bandwidth but also consume router CPU resources to process the updates. This method is inefficient because the updates not only consume bandwidth but also consume router CPU resources to process the updates.

Operation of distance vector (2/4) Periodic Updates are sent at regular intervals (30 seconds for RIP and 90 seconds for IGRP). Periodic Updates are sent at regular intervals (30 seconds for RIP and 90 seconds for IGRP). –Even if the topology has not changed in several days, periodic updates continue to be sent to all neighbors. –Neighbors are routers that share a link and are configured to use the same routing protocol. –The router is only aware of the network addresses of its own interfaces and the remote network addresses it can reach through its neighbors

Operation of distance vector (3/4) Broadcast Updates are sent to Broadcast Updates are sent to –Neighboring routers that are configured with the same routing protocol will process the updates. –All other devices will also process the update up to Layer 3 before discarding it. –Some distance vector routing protocols use multicast addresses instead of broadcast addresses.

Operation of distance vector (4/4) Entire Routing Table Updates are sent, periodically to all neighbors. Entire Routing Table Updates are sent, periodically to all neighbors. –Neighbors receiving these updates must process the entire update to find pertinent information and discard the rest. –Some distance vector routing protocols like EIGRP do not send periodic routing table updates.

Routing Algorithm The algorithm used for the routing protocols defines the following processes: The algorithm used for the routing protocols defines the following processes: –Mechanism for sending and receiving routing information. –Mechanism for calculating the best paths and installing routes in the routing table. –Mechanism for detecting and reacting to topology changes.

Routing protocol characteristics (1/3) Time to Convergence - Time to convergence defines how quickly the routers in the network topology share routing information and reach a state of consistent knowledge. Time to Convergence - Time to convergence defines how quickly the routers in the network topology share routing information and reach a state of consistent knowledge. –The faster the convergence, the more preferable the protocol. –Routing loops can occur when inconsistent routing tables are not updated due to slow convergence in a changing network.

Routing protocol characteristics (2/3) Scalability - Scalability defines how large a network can become based on the routing protocol that is deployed. Scalability - Scalability defines how large a network can become based on the routing protocol that is deployed. –The larger the network is, the more scalable the routing protocol needs to be. Classless (Use of VLSM) or Classful - Classless routing protocols include the subnet mask in the updates. Classless (Use of VLSM) or Classful - Classless routing protocols include the subnet mask in the updates. –This feature supports the use of Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM) and better route summarization. –Classful routing protocols do not include the subnet mask and cannot support VLSM.

Routing protocol characteristics (3/3) Resource Usage - Resource usage includes the requirements of a routing protocol such as memory space, CPU utilization, and link bandwidth utilization Resource Usage - Resource usage includes the requirements of a routing protocol such as memory space, CPU utilization, and link bandwidth utilization –Higher resource requirements necessitate more powerful hardware to support the routing protocol operation in addition to the packet forwarding processes. Implementation and Maintenance - Implementation and maintenance describes the level of knowledge that is required for a network administrator to implement and maintain the network based on the routing protocol deployed. Implementation and Maintenance - Implementation and maintenance describes the level of knowledge that is required for a network administrator to implement and maintain the network based on the routing protocol deployed.

Distance Vector Routing Protocols

Comparison of Routing Protocol

Periodic updates :RIP(1/3) The term periodic updates refers to the fact that a router sends the complete routing table to its neighbors at a predefined interval. The term periodic updates refers to the fact that a router sends the complete routing table to its neighbors at a predefined interval. –For RIP, these updates are sent every 30 seconds as a broadcast ( ) whether or not there has been a topology change. –This 30-second interval is a route update timer that also aids in tracking the age of routing information in the routing table.

Periodic updates:RIP (2/3) The age of routing information in a routing table is refreshed each time an update is received. The age of routing information in a routing table is refreshed each time an update is received. This way information in the routing table can be maintained when there is a topology change. This way information in the routing table can be maintained when there is a topology change. Changes may occur for several reasons, including: Changes may occur for several reasons, including: –Failure of a link –Introduction of a new link –Failure of a router –Change of link parameters

Periodic updates:RIP (3/3)

RIP Timers (1/3) In addition to the update timer, the IOS implements three additional timers for RIP: In addition to the update timer, the IOS implements three additional timers for RIP: Invalid Timer. If an update has not been received to refresh an existing route after 180 seconds (the default), the route is marked as invalid by setting the metric to 16. Invalid Timer. If an update has not been received to refresh an existing route after 180 seconds (the default), the route is marked as invalid by setting the metric to 16. –The route is retained in the routing table until the flush timer expires. Flush Timer. By default, the flush timer is set for 240 seconds, which is 60 seconds longer than the invalid timer. When the flush timer expires, the route is removed from the routing table. Flush Timer. By default, the flush timer is set for 240 seconds, which is 60 seconds longer than the invalid timer. When the flush timer expires, the route is removed from the routing table.

RIP Timers (2/3) Holddown Timer. This timer stabilizes routing information and helps prevent routing loops during periods when the topology is converging on new information. Holddown Timer. This timer stabilizes routing information and helps prevent routing loops during periods when the topology is converging on new information. –Once a route is marked as unreachable, it must stay in holddown long enough for all routers in the topology to learn about the unreachable network. –By default, the holddown timer is set for 180 seconds.

RIP Timers (3/3)

Bounded Updates :EIGRP(1/2) Unlike other distance vector routing protocols, EIGRP does not send periodic updates. Unlike other distance vector routing protocols, EIGRP does not send periodic updates. Instead, EIGRP sends bounded updates about a route when a path changes or the metric for that route changes. Instead, EIGRP sends bounded updates about a route when a path changes or the metric for that route changes. When a new route becomes available or when a route needs to be removed, EIGRP sends an update only about that network instead of the entire table. When a new route becomes available or when a route needs to be removed, EIGRP sends an update only about that network instead of the entire table. This information is sent only to those routers that need it. This information is sent only to those routers that need it.

Bounded Updates :EIGRP(2/2) EIGRP uses updates that are: EIGRP uses updates that are: –Non-periodic because they are not sent out on a regular basis. –Partial updates sent only when there is a change in topology that influences routing information. –Bounded, meaning the propagation of partial updates are automatically bounded so that only those routers that need the information are updated.

Triggered Update (1/3) To speed up the convergence when there is a topology change, RIP uses triggered updates. To speed up the convergence when there is a topology change, RIP uses triggered updates. A triggered update is a routing table update that is sent immediately in response to a routing change. A triggered update is a routing table update that is sent immediately in response to a routing change. Triggered updates do not wait for update timers to expire. Triggered updates do not wait for update timers to expire. –The detecting router immediately sends an update message to adjacent routers. –The receiving routers, in turn, generate triggered updates that notify their neighbors of the change.

Triggered Update (2/3) Triggered updates are sent when one of the following occurs: Triggered updates are sent when one of the following occurs: –An interface changes state (up or down) –A route has entered (or exited) the "unreachable" state –A route is installed in the routing table

Triggered Update (3/3) However, there are two problems with triggered updates: However, there are two problems with triggered updates: –Packets containing the update message can be dropped or corrupted by some link in the network. –The triggered updates do not happen instantaneously. It is possible that a router that has not yet received the triggered update will issue a regular update at just the wrong time, causing the bad route to be reinserted in a neighbor that had already received the triggered update.

Routing Loop (1/6) A routing loop is a condition in which a packet is continuously transmitted within a series of routers without ever reaching its intended destination network. A routing loop is a condition in which a packet is continuously transmitted within a series of routers without ever reaching its intended destination network. A routing loop can occur when two or more routers have routing information that incorrectly indicates that a valid path to an unreachable destination exists. A routing loop can occur when two or more routers have routing information that incorrectly indicates that a valid path to an unreachable destination exists.

Routing Loop (2/6) The loop may be a result of: The loop may be a result of: –Incorrectly configured static routes –Incorrectly configured route redistribution (redistribution is a process of handing the routing information from one routing protocol to another routing protocol) –Inconsistent routing tables not being updated due to slow convergence in a changing network –Incorrectly configured or installed discard routes

Routing Loop (3/6)

Routing Loop (4/6)

Routing Loop (5/6)

Routing Loop (6/6)

Count to infinity (1/5) Count to infinity is a condition that exists when inaccurate routing updates increase the metric value to "infinity" for a network that is no longer reachable. Count to infinity is a condition that exists when inaccurate routing updates increase the metric value to "infinity" for a network that is no longer reachable.

Count to infinity (2/5)

Count to infinity (3/5)

Count to infinity (4/5)

Count to infinity (5/5)

Setting a Maximum (1/2) To eventually stop the incrementing of the metric, "infinity" is defined by setting a maximum metric value. To eventually stop the incrementing of the metric, "infinity" is defined by setting a maximum metric value. For example, RIP defines infinity as 16 hops - an "unreachable" metric. For example, RIP defines infinity as 16 hops - an "unreachable" metric. Once the routers "count to infinity," they mark the route as unreachable. Once the routers "count to infinity," they mark the route as unreachable.

Setting a Maximum (2/2)

Preventing routing loop with holddown timer (1/5) Holddown timers are used to prevent regular update messages from inappropriately reinstating a route that may have gone bad. Holddown timers are used to prevent regular update messages from inappropriately reinstating a route that may have gone bad. Holddown timers instruct routers to hold any changes that might affect routes for a specified period of time. Holddown timers instruct routers to hold any changes that might affect routes for a specified period of time. If a route is identified as down or possibly down, any other information for that route containing the same status, or worse, is ignored for a predetermined amount of time (the holddown period). If a route is identified as down or possibly down, any other information for that route containing the same status, or worse, is ignored for a predetermined amount of time (the holddown period).

Preventing routing loop with holddown timer (2/5)

Preventing routing loop with holddown timer (3/5)

Preventing routing loop with holddown timer (4/5)

Preventing routing loop with holddown timer (5/5)

Split Horizon Rules (1/5) The split horizon rule says that a router should not advertise a network through the interface from which the update came. The split horizon rule says that a router should not advertise a network through the interface from which the update came.

Split Horizon Rules (2/5)

Split Horizon Rules (3/5)

Split Horizon Rules (4/5)

Split Horizon Rules (5/5)

Route Poisoning (1/4) Route poisoning is yet another method employed by distance vector routing protocols to prevent routing loops. Route poisoning is yet another method employed by distance vector routing protocols to prevent routing loops. Route poisoning is used to mark the route as unreachable in a routing update that is sent to other routers. Route poisoning is used to mark the route as unreachable in a routing update that is sent to other routers. Unreachable is interpreted as a metric that is set to the maximum. Unreachable is interpreted as a metric that is set to the maximum. –For RIP, a poisoned route has a metric of 16.

Route Poisoning (2/4)

Route Poisoning (3/4)

Route Poisoning (4/4)

Split Horizon with Poison reverse (1/5) The concept of split horizon with poison reverse is that explicitly telling a router to ignore a route is better than not telling it about the route in the first place. The concept of split horizon with poison reverse is that explicitly telling a router to ignore a route is better than not telling it about the route in the first place.

Split Horizon with Poison reverse (2/5) The following process occurs: The following process occurs: Network becomes unavailable due to a link failure. Network becomes unavailable due to a link failure. R3 poisons the metric with a value of 16 and then sends out a triggered update stating that is unavailable. R3 poisons the metric with a value of 16 and then sends out a triggered update stating that is unavailable. R2 processes that update, invalidates the routing entry in its routing table, and immediately sends a poison reverse back to R3. R2 processes that update, invalidates the routing entry in its routing table, and immediately sends a poison reverse back to R3.

Split Horizon with Poison reverse (3/5)

Split Horizon with Poison reverse (4/5)

Split Horizon with Poison reverse (5/5)

Time to Live (1/2) Time to Live (TTL) is an 8-bit field in the IP header that limits the number of hops a packet can traverse through the network before it is discarded. Time to Live (TTL) is an 8-bit field in the IP header that limits the number of hops a packet can traverse through the network before it is discarded. The purpose of the TTL field is to avoid a situation in which an undeliverable packet keeps circulating on the network endlessly. The purpose of the TTL field is to avoid a situation in which an undeliverable packet keeps circulating on the network endlessly.

Time to Live (2/2) With TTL, the 8-bit field is set with a value by the source device of the packet. The TTL is decreased by one by every router on the route to its destination. With TTL, the 8-bit field is set with a value by the source device of the packet. The TTL is decreased by one by every router on the route to its destination. If the TTL field reaches zero before the packet arrives at its destination, the packet is discarded and the router sends an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) error message back to the source of the IP packet If the TTL field reaches zero before the packet arrives at its destination, the packet is discarded and the router sends an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) error message back to the source of the IP packet