EIGRP Vs OSPF- Protocol Showdown

EIGRP Vs OSPF is the hot concern for network admins when they are confused which protocol they should use in their enterprise. If you certainly look at the fact both these protocols are very good, both have high convergence rate, use up less bandwidth and are free from loops. Then what are the real points that make these two so distinguishable from each other, those points are my concern in this session. Also for this topic, you need to know what is EIGRP AND OSPF.  



In this EIGRP Vs OSPF topic, I will consider all the main advantages and disadvantages of these two protocols and pit them against each other to see which one fairs better. So let's get started.

• Starting with my first point, EIGRP is a Cisco Proprietary so it can only be used in Cisco routers, but what if there are multiple vendor routers, in that case, we will have no choice but to use OSPF which is an open standard protocol and can be used by other vendors as well. 

• Now talking about implementation, Implementing OSPF is a little bit more challenging as compared to EIGRP,  as OSPF involves areas for dividing the network, the network administrator should have a solid understanding of data communication and network in order to make OSPF run well. But since OSPF is getting more and more popular this could not be considered a big problem anymore.

• OSPF is specially designed for larger networks, as it has unlimited hop count, unlike Eigrp which has hop count limit of max 255(100 by Default). Hop count here means to how many routers it can send routing information. This one is a severe drawback for EIGRP protocol and that is why it can not be implemented in larger networks where thousands of routers are concerned. 

• Eigrp uses Dual(Diffusing Update Algorithm) Algorithm, due to this, it also maintains a Feasible Successor(backup) route along with Successor one in its topological database, so whenever a route is down it will automatically use the feasible successor as a route to reach the destination so no need to rerun the algorithm again and hence saving CPU consumption. Whereas in OSPF if the route goes down it has to rerun the SPF algorithm again and recalculate the route and hence here CPU consumption is considerably more. 

• OSPF does not support auto-summary, you will have to manually summerise each network, whereas Eigrp supports auto-summarization by default, you can disable auto-summarization to enable manual summarization.

• Since Eigrp is Advance Distance vector Protocol, it uses Routing-by-Rumour approach ie there is no authenticity to the routing information from the neighbor router about the network. Whereas in OSPF, which is a link state protocol, checks the routing information contained in the topological table in form the LSA's(Link state Advertisement). 

• Eigrp has an Administrative distance of 90(Internal Eigrp) and 170(External Eigrp) whereas OSPF has an AD of 110.

• Eigrp Supports IP multiple protocols like IP, IPx and AppleTalk, whereas OSPF only supports IP.

• Eigrp Supports both Equal and Unequal cost Load balancing whereas OSPF only supports Equal cost load balancing.

EIGRP Vs OSPF:- Verdict

I think the network administrator should absolutely go with using OSPF protocol, as he won't have to worry that all the routers should be of Cisco. Also, OSPF is suitable for large enterprises where thousands of routers are involved. But if the company is of small-scale and all the routers are of Cisco then definitely using Eigrp will be more suitable, as Eigrp is less complex to implement and has more convergence rate then OSPF.

So I think choosing which protocol to use depends upon the situation or scenario you are facing. I am very sure that this Article of EIGRP VS OSPF will help the administrators to choose the protocol suitable for them

So I guess this is it in this article of EIGRP Vs OSPF. If you guys have some suggestions for this post, write it down in the comment section, also after reading this article don't forget to share and subscribe...As sharing is caring!!

What is Split Horizon In Eigrp?

Explaining Split Horizon-

Split horizon is used to prevent routing loops, suppose if an interface receives a routing update from a neighbor router, split horizon prevents this receiving interface to advertise it back to the neighbor router who sent them.

In simpler terms Split horizon mechanism transmits the packet to all the attached nodes, except  which has send the update. Also you don't have to enable split horizon or anything, it is by default enabled on the interfaces of Cisco Routers. This feature is mostly used by dynamic routing protocols especially by RIP,IGRP and EIGRP etc. 

To See if the split horizon is enabled on particular interface or not use command:-

R1#sh ip int s0/0/0

OUTPUT------------------------------------------------------------->

Serial0/0/0 is up, line protocol is up (connected)
Internet address is 172.168.40.1/24
Broadcast address is 255.255.255.255
Address determined by setup command
MTU is 1500
Helper address is not set
Directed broadcast forwarding is disabled
Outgoing access list is not set
Inbound access list is not set
Proxy ARP is enabled
Security level is default
Split horizon is enabled

Even though split horizon plays such an important role by being helpful in avoiding stupid confusing loops, but still there are certain cases where it cause problems too. After hearing my this claim you must be thinking, how can this cause a problem? After all, it seems reasonable not to send misinformation back to the originating router. Well, you see split horizon creates lots of problem when we are dealing with point to multi-point links, such as Frame Relay, also when multiple remote routers are connected to a single interface. But there is a solution to this, that we can use logical interfaces called sub-interface concept that we will learn when I will take vlan topic.

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS EIGRP PROTOCOL AND ITS STANDOUT FEATURES?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS STATIC ROUTING?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS DYNAMIC ROUTING?

Guyz if you have any doubts on split horizon ask me down in the comment box I will answer it immediately. 

How To Enable EIGRP Authentication using Key chain

EIGRP Authentication using Key chain- It is the most effective way of providing security and it also helps in easily isolating unwanted network to which we don't want traffic to go. By enabling eigrp authentication on router means breaking the adjacency neighbor relationship, as we already know to form neighbor relationship authentication must be successful.

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS EIGRP PROTOCOL AND ITS STANDOUT FEATURES?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS STATIC ROUTING?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS DYNAMIC ROUTING?

So in this article I will explain how to enable eigrp authentication and for that I require a scenario. So down below is the scenario along with the diagram, so lets get started.

SCENARIO:- The network Admin want to establish a key chain authentication between Mumbai router and the remote sites in Pune and Hyderabad. This is an Output from Mumbai:-

Note: I have already configured all the three routers with Eigrp(Without authentication).

Mumbai#sh ip eigrp neighbors
IP-EIGRP neighbors for process 10
H      Address             Interface        Hold   Uptime     SRTT         RTO     Q       Seq
                                                             (sec)                    (ms)           Cnt              Num
0      172.168.20.1      Se0/0/1         14        01:26:59      40           1000     0        7
1      172.168.40.2      Se0/0/0          9         01:26:56      40           1000     0        7

To Enable Eigrp Authentication Configuration step by step explanation:- 

Setting key chain On Mumbai Router---->

STEP No 1:- Enter The global Config mode

                     Mumbai#configure terminal

STEP No 2:- Now We will create a key chain, because before we can enable eigrp authentication we need to create at least one key chain and a key. So I am creating a key chain with name MYCHAIN

                     Mumbai(config)#key chain MYCHAIN

STEP No 3:- Now specifying  a key number ie 10 in this example. Also Note that it is highly recommended that you should you use same key number on all the routers.

                     Mumbai(config-keychain)#key 10

STEP No 4:- Now write down the key-string for the key. I am using "cisco" in this example.

                     Mumbai(config-keychain-key)#Key-string cisco

STEP No 5:- End the configuration by using command end.

         Mumbai(config-keychain-key)#end

Now to enable Eigrp authentication using key chain on the Mumbai router, we need to specify which at interface you want authentication to be enabled.

Note; When the authentication is enabled that particular port will stop receiving routing messages from its peers until they are also configured for the same.

STEP No 1:- Enter The global Config mode

                     Mumbai#configure terminal

STEP No 2:- Specify at which interface you want to enable eigrp authenication,so as per this example we have to set it at interface se0/0/0 as well as interface se0/0/1. First I will do this with se0/0/0.

                     Mumbai(config)#interface se0/0/0

STEP No 3:- Now enable eigrp authentication with md5 algorithm. Here 10 is the autonomous system of the eigrp. 

                     Mumbai(config-if)#ip authentication mode eigrp 10 md5

STEP No 4:- Now specify the key- chain you want to use for authentication. In this the name is MYCHAIN. Here also 10 is the autonomous system.

                      Mumbai(config-if)#ip authentication key-chain eigrp 10 MYCHAIN

STEP No 5:- End the configuration by using command end.

         Mumbai(config-keychain-key)#end

Now do the same configuration of key chain authentication on Mumbai router interface Se0/0/1.

Mumbai#configure terminal

Mumbai(config)#interface se0/0/1

Mumbai(config-if)#ip authentication mode eigrp 10 md5

Mumbai(config-if)#ip authentication key-chain eigrp 10 MYCHAIN

Mumbai(config-keychain-key)#end

Setting key chain On Pune Router---->
All the steps will be same,so without explaining I will just write the commands.

Pune#configure terminal
Pune(config)#key chain MYCHAIN

Pune(config-keychain)#key 10

Pune(config-keychain-key)#Key-string cisco

Pune(config-keychain-key)#end

Now Enabling Eigrp authentication key on the Pune router interface se0/0/1, All the steps will be same,so without explaining I will just write the commands.

Pune#configure terminal

Pune(config)#interface se0/0/1

Pune(config-if)#ip authentication mode eigrp 10 md5

Pune(config-if)#ip authentication key-chain eigrp 10 MYCHAIN

Pune(config-keychain-key)#end

Setting key chain On Hyderabad Router---->
All the steps will be same,so without explaining I will just write the commands.

Hyderabad#configure terminal
Hyderabad(config)#key chain MYCHAIN

Hyderabad(config-keychain)#key 10

Hyderabad(config-keychain-key)#Key-string cisco

Hyderabad(config-keychain-key)#end

Now Enabling Eigrp authentication key on the Hyderabad router interface se0/0/0, All the steps will be same,so without explaining I will just write the commands.

Hyderabad#configure terminal

Hyderabad(config)#interface se0/0/1

Hyderabad(config-if)#ip authentication mode eigrp 10 md5

Hyderabad(config-if)#ip authentication key-chain eigrp 10 MYCHAIN

Hyderabad(config-keychain-key)#end

CONCLUSION--

Once all the steps to enable eigrp authentication is done, they will start sending and receiving routing updates and messages again and the eigrp neignbor relationship will establish. If you want to verify all this in real time just use debug eigrp packets command in privilege mode. 

Also comment down below, if you have any question regarding How To Enable EIGRP Authentication using Key chain I will try to answer at my best of capabilities.

EIGRP Redistribution With Different AS(Autonomous System) Example: Practical

EIGRP Redistribution With Different AS

In this article I will explain how texternal Eigrp Redistribution with Different AS is used. I will write down all the configuration I have done step by step. I have done this Eigrp Redistribution with Different AS practical on Cisco Packet Tracer. Also note that I have already done assigning Ip address to the interfaces. So lets get started.

In this diagram you can see Router A has AS 10 and Router C has AS 20. Whereas Router B will act as ABR(Area Border Router) acting as intermediary between Router A and Router C.

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS EIGRP PROTOCOL AND ITS STANDOUT FEATURES?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS STATIC ROUTING?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS DYNAMIC ROUTING?

EIGRP Redistribution Commands And Configuration

EIGRP Configuration Command On Router A:

RouterA(config)#config t

RouterA(config)#router eigrp 10

RouterA(config-router)#network 10.0.0.0 0.255.55.55

RouterA(config-router)#network 192.168.10.0 0.0.0.255

EIGRP Configuration Command On Router C:

RouterC(config)#config t

RouterC(config)#router eigrp 20

RouterC(config-router)#network 20.0.0.0 0.255.55.55

RouterC(config-router)#network 192.168.20.0 0.0.0.255

EIGRP Redistribution Configuration Command On Router B:

RouterB(config)#config t

RouterB(config)#router eigrp 10

RouterB(config-router)#network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255

RouterB(config)#exit

RouterB(config)#router eigrp 20

RouterB(config-router)#network 20.0.0.0 0.255.255.255

RouterB(config)#router eigrp 10

RouterB(config-router)#redistribute eigrp 20

RouterB(config-router)#ex

RouterB(config)#router eigrp 20

RouterB(config-router)#redistribute eigrp 10

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS EIGRP PROTOCOL AND ITS STANDOUT FEATURES?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS STATIC ROUTING?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS DYNAMIC ROUTING?

VERIFICATION:-

you can verify it by using command #show ip route on RouterA.

you will find the other AS eigrp Routes with EX Tag(External Eigrp implemented).

EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol)-Characteristics

EIGRP(Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) is Cisco propriety protocol, but recently they have made Eigrp an Open Standard Protocol by releasing its draft so that other companies can also use it. Eigrp protocol is like a Igrp but with little bit more enhancement here and there. Since we already learned what is Dynamic routing, today we will focus on Eigrp only and its characteristics in detail, so lets get into it.

READ ALSO:- EXTERNAL EIGRP REDISTRIBUTION EXAMPLE

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS DYNAMIC ROUTING?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS STATIC ROUTING?

EIGRP protocol Overview

Enhanced Interior Gateway Protocol is a dynamic hybrid/advanced distance vector protocol that uses both properties of link state as well as distance vector protocol. Eigrp uses composite metrics to find the best path to reach the destination network.

The metric value used by Eigrp is defined as K values which ranges from 1 to 5. Down below is the meaning of each K values.

1. K1 = Bandwidth.
2. K2 = Load.
3. K3 = Delay.
4. K4= Reliability.
5. K5= Mtu(Maximum Transmission Unit).

But by default Eigrp uses composite metrics of  K1 and K3 ie bandwidth and delay. You can change the default composite metrics in Eigrp configuration mode.

By default it has hop count of 100 but it can be extended up to maximum 255, also don't let this confuse you, Eigrp doesn't use hop count as metric like RIP(Routing Information Protocol) does. Here hop count refers to how many routers Eigrp can send route update packet to before it will be discarded.

Eigrp Protocol uses ASN(Autonomous System Numbering)  to identify the group of routers running same routing protocol strategy and is under common administration. 

It uses Packets like Hello Pkt, Ack Pkt, Update Pkt, Query and Reply to record, maintain and update info from neighbor router into routing table and neighbor table.

READ ALSO:- EXTERNAL EIGRP REDISTRIBUTION EXAMPLE

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS DYNAMIC ROUTING?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS STATIC ROUTING?

EIGRP protocol timers:-

Eigrp uses two types of timer to maintain adjacency neighbor relationship.

1. Hello Timer- After every 5 seconds hello packet is send from each port of the router  to discover neighbor.
2. Hold Timer:- This timer determines how many seconds a router will wait to get the hello packet from a neighbor. After 15 seconds it will declare the neighbor dead and it will be removed from the neighbor table and all the route  depended upon it will be recalculated. 

EIGRP(Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) : 

Characteristics And Features

Eigrp protocol has the following standout characteristics and features:-

• It supports both Ipv4 and Ipv6.
• Supports both classfull as well as classless networks.
• It includes subnet information in the routing table.
• Supports both VLSM and CIDR networks.
• Supports both contiguous and dis-contiguous networks .
• Eigrp supports both Auto-Summarization and Manual Summarization.
• It Uses DUAL(Diffusing Update Algorithm) for best path selection strategy.
• Its uses RTP(Reliable Transport Protocol) to send route updates.
• In Eigrp the update is change triggered not periodic as in RIP. Change triggered means the update will not be send to the neighbor unless and until there is a change in network topology.
• It uses Multicast (224.0.0.9) and no broadcast for sending update.
• The Administrative distance of Internal Eigrp is 90, whereas for External Eigrp AD is 170

NOTE:- I mentioned Internal and External Eigrp just now. These two are Eigrp types which I will discuss later in my next article.

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS DYNAMIC ROUTING?

READ ALSO:- WHAT IS STATIC ROUTING?

Also See Video On How  To Configure Eigrp ?