About Me
MikroTik Certified Internetworking Engineer (MTCINE)
1 Introduction to Networking
1-1 Basic Networking Concepts
1-2 OSI Model
1-3 TCPIP Model
1-4 Network Devices
1-5 Network Topologies
2 MikroTik RouterOS Basics
2-1 Introduction to RouterOS
2-2 RouterOS Interface
2-3 Basic Configuration
2-4 User Management
2-5 System Logging
3 IP Addressing and Subnetting
3-1 IPv4 Addressing
3-2 Subnetting
3-3 IPv6 Addressing
3-4 IPv6 Subnetting
3-5 NAT and PAT
4 Routing
4-1 Static Routing
4-2 Dynamic Routing Protocols
4-3 OSPF
4-4 BGP
4-5 EIGRP
5 Wireless Networking
5-1 Wireless Basics
5-2 Wireless Security
5-3 Wireless Configuration
5-4 Wireless Bridging
5-5 Wireless Repeaters
6 VPN Technologies
6-1 VPN Basics
6-2 IPsec VPN
6-3 OpenVPN
6-4 L2TPPPTP
6-5 SSL VPN
7 Quality of Service (QoS)
7-1 QoS Basics
7-2 Traffic Shaping
7-3 Policing
7-4 Prioritization
7-5 Queue Types
8 Firewall and Security
8-1 Firewall Basics
8-2 Firewall Rules
8-3 NAT Rules
8-4 Filtering Rules
8-5 Hotspot and Captive Portal
9 Advanced Topics
9-1 VLANs
9-2 MPLS
9-3 High Availability
9-4 Load Balancing
9-5 Monitoring and Troubleshooting
4.2 Dynamic Routing Protocols Explained

4.2 Dynamic Routing Protocols Explained

Key Concepts

Dynamic Routing Protocols

Dynamic routing protocols are algorithms used by routers to automatically exchange routing information and determine the best path for data packets to reach their destination. Unlike static routing, which requires manual configuration, dynamic routing protocols adapt to changes in the network topology, such as link failures or new connections.

Example: Think of dynamic routing protocols as GPS systems for routers. Just as a GPS system automatically updates routes based on traffic conditions, dynamic routing protocols update routes based on network conditions.

Distance Vector Protocols

Distance vector protocols, such as Routing Information Protocol (RIP), determine the best path to a destination based on the distance (number of hops) and direction (next hop). Routers using distance vector protocols periodically exchange routing tables with their neighbors, allowing them to learn about the entire network over time.

Example: Imagine distance vector protocols as a group of travelers sharing directions. Each traveler (router) knows the distance to their destination and the next stop (next hop). By sharing this information, they collectively build a map of the entire journey.

Link-State Protocols

Link-state protocols, such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), maintain a detailed map of the entire network topology. Each router advertises the state of its directly connected links to all other routers, allowing them to calculate the shortest path using algorithms like Dijkstra's algorithm. Link-state protocols are more complex but provide faster convergence and better scalability.

Example: Consider link-state protocols as a detailed street map with real-time traffic updates. Each router (map user) has a complete view of the network and can calculate the shortest path based on current conditions, ensuring efficient routing.

Hybrid Protocols

Hybrid protocols, such as Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), combine elements of both distance vector and link-state protocols. They use distance vector principles to exchange routing information but also maintain a topology table to calculate the best path. Hybrid protocols offer the simplicity of distance vector protocols with the efficiency of link-state protocols.

Example: Think of hybrid protocols as a hybrid car that combines the efficiency of an electric motor with the range of a gasoline engine. Similarly, hybrid routing protocols combine the simplicity of distance vector protocols with the efficiency of link-state protocols to provide optimal routing performance.

© 2024 Ahmed Baheeg Khorshid. All rights reserved.