A routing protocol stipulates the mode in which routers communicate amongst each other. Information is passed on between the routers, defining the routes that the data will be directed between two nodes. Each router has knowledge of the network that is currently attached to it. The protocol ensures that information on the router’s identity is first known to its immediate neighbors and this is again passed to the routers that are connected to them. It is through the routing protocols that the network topology is known and the routers determine which route is the shortest in delivering data between the nodes (Black 202).
There are three major categories of routing protocols, namely: Interior gateway routing protocol which passes via link state routing protocol. Examples of protocols that fall under this category are, OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and IS-IS (Intermediate system to Intermediate System). In this mode, each computer node constructs and creates a virtual map of the network and calculates the best logical route on which to follow in regard to the time it will take. Another category is the Interior gateway routing which passes via path vector. The path is calculated using a pre designed algorithm and in this case it is the Bellman-Ford algorithm. The algorithm dictates that a map be drawn from the information acquired from the router’s neighbor. Examples under this protocol are RIP (Routing Information Protocol) and IGRP (Interior Gateway Routing Protocol). The last category is the Exterior gateway routing where the BGP (Border gateway protocol) is protocol used on the internet (Black 203)
The administrative distance is the gauge used by routers in determining the route in which data will be transferred from one router to another in a computer network. The administrative distance dictates the best path in terms of distance and reliability. A static route always has an administrative distance of 1, for IGRP it is 100 and for RIP it is 120 (Black 200).
IGRP (Interior gateway routing protocol): This protocol preceded RIP and combines multiple metrics for data transfer along a route. Such metrics include the bandwidth allocated, delay encountered while the data is being transferred, load and the reliability factor of the route. All theses metrics are combined and a formula used. The formula is adjustable using a set of constants. Hop count in this protocol category is 100. It is also important to note that updates in regard to changes that my have taken place are broadcasted to each router on the network after every 90 seconds (Black 217).
RIP: This protocol exercises in coordination with the distance vector algorithm. It is used in both local area networks and wide area networks. It has a shorter hop count of 15. The algorithm used in RIP is the Bellman-Ford. It is a distance vector protocol. The time duration for the routers to update each other about their locations is done after every 30 seconds. It is because of this short time that mechanisms such as route poisoning and hold downs that could reduce the chances of wrong information or updates being sent were created. This minimized errors resulting from loops in the network. It has a holdown mechanism of 180 seconds. Although not the most preferred protocol, it is popular because of ease of configuration (Black 218).
CiscoWorks is a network management tool that utilizes the web in the way it operates. It is used to monitor the state of the network and also configure all Cisco based devices that could be present in the local area network or wide area network. These devices include hubs, switches, routers and servers. It houses a variety of applications that are best used from monitoring. Examples include, Ciscoview Version 5.4. This one is used for just one device and it displays the Cisco environment from both the front and back end. Colors are assigned hence simplifying monitoring and configuration operations. Another application is WhatsUp Gold version 7.03 which uses a topology map and alerts users with an alarm system. Another application is the Threshold manager which assists in the troubleshooting of errors within the network. It is used to set the threshold on devices using RMON. Finally there is the show commands application which provides the user with detailed and comprehensive material.Information includes protocol information and IOS commands (Black 250).
Works Cited
Black, Uyless. IP routing protocols: RIP, OSPF, BGP, PNNI, and Cisco routing protocols. London: Prentice Hall PTR, 2000.