Which routing protocol is better for your organization, EIGRP or OSPF? Both protocols have their pros and cons, but which one is the best choice for your specific needs? In this blog post, we’ll break down the differences between EIGRP and OSPF so you can make an educated decision on which protocol is right for you. Stay tuned!
What is EIGRP?
EIGRP is a distance-vector routing protocol that uses a hybrid algorithm to calculate the best path to a destination. EIGRP is a Cisco-proprietary protocol, which is only supported on Cisco devices. EIGRP uses a technique called “feasibility condition” which requires all neighbours to agree on the reported distance (the cost) of the next hop to become neighbours. EIGRP routers form neighbour relationships over single or multi-access links.
When should we use EIGRP?
We can use the EIGRP protocol when we have a single subnet on the network, especially if there are multiple paths to our destination. We can also use EIGRP when the number of hops between routers is greater than seven.
What is OSPF?
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol that uses the shortest path first (SPF) algorithm to calculate the best path to a destination. OSPF is an open standard, which means that it is supported by a variety of vendors. OSPF routers form neighbour relationships over links configured as point-to-point, broadcast, or non-broadcast networks.
When should we use OSPF?
We can use the OSPF protocol when we have multiple subnets on the network. We can also use OSPF to control routing updates and prevent routing loops.
EIGRP vs OSPF
Now that you know a little bit about EIGRP and OSPF, let’s compare the two protocols head-to-head:
- Convergence
Both EIGRP and OSPF are fast converging protocols, but EIGRP is slightly quicker.
- VLSM support
Both EIGRP and OSPF support VLSM, but OSPF has a slight edge due to its ability to calculate a route for a subnet within minutes instead of hours.
- Scalability
EIGRP is more scalable than OSPF, particularly in large networks.
- Stability
EIGRP and OSPF are stable protocols, but EIGRP is more stable due to its less frequent routing updates.
- Cost
While the cost of running EIGRP and OSPF is about the same, the initial setup cost for EIGRP is slightly higher than OSPF.
So, which protocol is right for you? If you’re looking for a fast, scalable, and stable protocol, then EIGRP is your best bet. If you need a protocol that supports VLSM, then OSPF is the better choice.
How to configure EIGRP and OSPF?
The configuration process for EIGRP and OSPF is different, so be sure to check the documentation for your specific devices. However, in general, the configuration process for both protocols is fairly straightforward.
Final Words: EIGRP vs OSPF
This blog post has been a brief overview of the differences between EIGRP and OSPF routing protocols. We hope this summary will help you better understand how to choose one over the other for your network configuration. If you want more information about these two popular routing protocol options, we will cover all topics in the future.