Routing Information Protocol (RIP)

Routing Information Protocol (RIP)

This protocol is designed to help routers determine the best path for sending data packets across a network.

RIP version 1 (RIPv1)

This version of the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) uses only classful routing, which means that all devices in the network must use the same subnet mask for each specific address class.

Classful Routing

The use of routing protocols that do not send subnet mask information when a route update is sent out.

RIP Version 2 (RIPv2)

This version of the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is a classless routing protocol (even though it is configured as classful), which means that it sends subnet mask information along with the route updates.

Prefix Routing

A method of defining how many bits are used in a subnet and how this information is sent in a routing update. For example, RIP version 1 does not send subnet mask information in the route updates. However, RIP version 2 does. This means that RIP v2 updates will send /24, /25, /26, and so on with a route update, which RIP v1 will not.