Protocol Overview

The RIP IGP uses the Bellman-Ford, or distance-vector, algorithm to determine the best route to a destination. RIP uses the hop count as the metric. RIP allows hosts and routers to exchange information for computing routes through an IP-based network. RIP is intended to be used as an IGP in reasonably homogeneous networks of moderate size.

The JUNOS software supports RIP versions 1 and 2.

Note: RIP is not supported for multipoint interfaces.

RIP version 1 packets contain the minimal information necessary to route packets through a network. However, this version of RIP does not support authentication or subnetting.

RIP uses User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port 520.

RIP has the following architectural limitations:

• The longest network path cannot exceed 15 hops (assuming that each network, or hop, has a cost of 1).
• RIP depends on counting to infinity to resolve certain unusual situations—When the network consists of several hundred routers, and when a routing loop has formed, the amount of time and network bandwidth required to resolve a next hop might be great.
• RIP uses only a fixed metric to select a route. Other IGPs use additional parameters, such as measured delay, reliability, and load.

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