Comparative assessment Analysis of RIP, OSPF, and EIGRP Routing Protocols using OPNET

In a network topology various protocols are used for forwarding the packets. The extent of information stored by a router about the network depends on the algorithm it follows. Most of the popular routing algorithms used are RIP, OSPF, IGRP and EIGRP. There are different classes of routing protocols, two of which are Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP) and Interior Gateway Routing (IGR). A routing protocol can be dynamic or static, as well as distance-vector or link-state. In this paper, attention is given to Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP). All these three protocols are dynamic IGP's, meaning that these protocols route packets within one Autonomous System (AS). RIP is a distance-vector protocol; EIGRP is an enhanced distance vector protocol developed by Cisco and OSPF is a link-state routing protocol. Detailed descriptions of these routing protocols are provided later in this report. An analytical Study shall be carried out on these protocols in terms of their: convergence, throughput, queuing delay, and utilization through simulation which has been attempted using OPNET as simulating tool. The task here is to find out which protocol suits the best for a client network.