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Routing & Switching · Foundational

Distance-Vector Routing Protocol

A routing protocol class where routers share their routing tables with neighbors and know only distance and direction to destinations.

Definition

Distance-vector routers learn routes from directly connected neighbors and add their own cost, without a full view of the topology (routing by rumor). Classic examples are RIP and IGRP; EIGRP is an advanced distance vector protocol. Loop prevention relies on mechanisms such as split horizon, route poisoning and hold-down timers.

Example

RIP sends its full routing table to neighbors every 30 seconds.

Exam tip

EIGRP is classified as advanced distance vector (sometimes called hybrid), not link state.

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