Routing+Protocols

The routing Protocol that //TnA Networks// chose OSPF over Rip, Rip v2,IGRP,and EIGRP, The advantages of OSPF are ... -With OSPF, there is no limitation on the hop count. -The intelligent use of VLSM is very useful in IP address allocation. -OSPF uses IP multicast to send link-state updates. This ensures less processing on routers that are not listening to OSPF packets. Also, updates are only sent in case routing changes occur instead of periodically. This ensures a better use of bandwidth. -OSPF has better convergence than RIP. This is because routing changes are propagated instantaneously and not periodically. -OSPF allows for better load balancing. -OSPF allows for a logical definition of networks where routers can be divided into areas. This will limit the explosion of link state updates over the whole network. This also provides a mechanism for aggregating routes and cutting down on the unnecessary propagation of subnet information. -OSPF allows for routing authentication by using different methods of password authentication.

This of course would lead to more complexity in configuring and troubleshooting OSPF networks. Administrators that are used to the simplicity of RIP will be challenged with the amount of new information they have to learn in order to keep up with OSPF networks. Also, this will introduce more overhead in memory allocation and CPU utilization.


 * Routing Protocol || convergance || vlsm || admin difficulty || scalibity || Total ||
 * OSPF || 4 || 1 || -2 || 4 || 7 ||
 * EIGRP || 3 || 1 || -1 || 3 || 6 ||
 * IGRP || 2 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 5 ||
 * RIP V1 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 2 ||
 * RIP V2 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 1 || 4 ||