We all know that there are different routing protocols exist. One of the easiest and the simplest such protocols is the Distance Vector Protocol. Here in this protocol, to find a path for the routing of data from source to destination, it uses two things namely distance and the direction(also named as a vector). To know more about the Distance Vector Routing Protocols, keep reading this article till the end.
When any change has happened to the network topology periodically, then the router has to inform it to all neighboring routers. This informing the router running a distance vector protocol. It is doing by using the limited broadcasts and by using the IP address(This contains the value: 255.255.255.255.) of the destination network.
To find a path to destination from the source, this protocol(Distance Vector protocol), uses an algorithm called, Bellman-Ford algorithm.
The routers that run this protocol needs to know who are their neighbors. This is done by analyzing the routing broadcast that is presented in the routers’ interface.
To share the routing information, this protocol sends Local Limited Broadcast periodically. This has the value, 255.255.255.255.
If any updates happen to the routing table, these updates are sent to all neighbors in all directions by the distance vector algorithm. In this situation, when the router gets this information, the distance value incremented also( increments in all exchanges). That is done by incrementing its own value by the router. All the routers which are received the updates are sent to the updated table. And the routers which are still receiving the updates should continue this process.
This protocol does not look at who is analyzing the updates that are happened periodically. It does not happen even the network topology does not change.
As mentioned at the beginning of the topic, This protocol is the simplest protocol among all the other three types of the dynamic routing protocol.
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Two things that make Distance vector protocol easy are,
⦁ Easy to troubleshoot.
⦁ Easy to set up.
⦁ It only needs limited resources for the router.
If any updations are made in the network, then the distance vector protocol receives the updates and followed by incrementing the metric according to the update message. Then this result obtained is compared with the routes that are resented in the routing table. As a result of this comparison, the routing table is updated if it needs it.
Characteristics:
- Simplest protocol.
- Updates periodically.
- Require fewer router resources.
- Updates Broadcast
- Easier setup.
- Easier troubleshooting.
Some Examples:
- IGRP
- RIP
- RTMP
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