EIGRP - Enhanced Interior Gateway
Routing Protocol
What is EIGRP?
EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) is a dynamic routing protocol
used by routers to automatically share network routes and find the best path to reach
other networks.
It is developed by Cisco.
What is the use of EIGRP?
EIGRP is used to:
• Automatically exchange routing information between routers
• Find the best and fastest path to reach a destination network
• Update routing tables dynamically when network changes occur
• Reduce manual configuration (no need to configure routes manually)
What is the purpose of EIGRP?
The main purpose of EIGRP is to:
• Ensure fast and efficient communication between different networks
• Quickly adapt when a link fails (fast convergence)
• Select the best route using bandwidth and delay metric
This helps keep the network stable and reliable.
What is the key use of EIGRP?
The key uses of EIGRP are:
• Fast route calculation
• Automatic route sharing between routers
• Backup route selection if main route fails
• Used in enterprise networks for efficient routing
Simple real-life example (easy to
understand)
Imagine routers are like Google Maps.
EIGRP helps routers:
• Find the fastest route
• Avoid slow or broken routes
• Automatically update routes
What is AD value of EIGRP?
The Administrative Distance (AD) of EIGRP depends on the route type:
• Internal EIGRP routes: 90
• External EIGRP routes: 170
• EIGRP Summary routes: 5
Simple explanation:
• 90 → When route comes from same EIGRP network (most trusted)
• 170 → When route comes from another protocol and redistributed into EIGRP
• 5 → When manually configured summary route (highest priority)
Steps –
Step 1 - Assign Ip address in the ineterfaces of the router.
Step 2 - Add the each router in the eigrp network.
Command –
Router 0
Enable
Configure terminal
Interface Fa0/0
No shutdown
Ip address [Link] [Link]
Exit
Router eigrp 100
Network [Link]
End
Wr
Router 1
Enable
Configure terminal
Interface Fa0/0
No shutdown
Ip address [Link] [Link]
Exit
Int Fa1/0
No shutdown
Ip address [Link] [Link]
Exit
Router eigrp 100
Network [Link]
Network [Link]
End
Wr
Router 2
Enable
Configure Terminal
Int Fa1/0
No shutdown
Ip address [Link] [Link]
Exit
Router eigrp 100
Network [Link]
End
Wr
Check the output at 1st router using – show ip route command and ping from 1st router to last
router which is from [Link] to [Link].
Router Output –
Router#sh ip route
Codes: C - connected, S - static, I - IGRP, R - RIP, M - mobile, B - BGP
D - EIGRP, EX - EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area
N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2
E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2, E - EGP
i - IS-IS, L1 - IS-IS level-1, L2 - IS-IS level-2, ia - IS-IS inter area
* - candidate default, U - per-user static route, o - ODR
P - periodic downloaded static route
Gateway of last resort is not set
C [Link]/24 is directly connected, FastEthernet0/0
D [Link]/24 [90/30720] via [Link], 00:18:12, FastEthernet0/0
Benefits of EIGRP –
• Fast convergence – Quickly finds backup routes if the main route fails.
• Efficient routing – Uses bandwidth and delay to choose the best path.
• Less network traffic – Sends updates only when changes occur (not continuously).
• Supports large networks – Works well in small and enterprise networks.
• Automatic backup routes – Keeps alternate routes ready for fast recovery.
• Classless routing support – Supports VLSM and CIDR.
• Load balancing – Can use multiple paths to send traffic.
• Easy configuration – Simpler compared to OSPF.
• Reliable updates – Uses reliable protocol to ensure updates are received.
• Better performance than RIP – Faster and more scalable.