A Comparative Study by Simulation of OSPF and EIGRP Routing Protocols

Abstract

Computer networks are based on technology that provides the technical infrastructure where routing protocols are used to transmit packets over the Internet. Routing protocols define how routers communicate with each other by distributing information. They are used to describe how routers communicate with each other, learn available routes, build routing tables, make routing decisions, and share information between neighbors. The main purpose of routing protocols is to determine the best route from source to destination. A particular case of a routing protocol operating within an autonomous system is called an internal routing protocol (IGP – Interior Gateway Protocol). The article analyzes the problem of correctly choosing a routing protocol. Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) are considered leading routing protocols for real-time applications. For this they are chosen to be studied. The main objective of the study is to compare the proposed routing protocols and to evaluate them based on different performance indicators. This assessment is carried out theoretically – by analyzing their characteristics and action, and practically – through simulation experiments. After the study of the literature, the simulation scenarios and quantitative indicators by which the performance of the protocols is compared are defined. First, a network model with OSPF is designed and simulated using the OPNET Modeler simulator. Second, EIGRP is implemented in the same network scenario and a new simulation is done. The implementation of the scenarios shall collect the necessary results and analyze the operation of the two protocols. The data shall be derived and an assessment and conclusion shall be made against the defined quantitative indicators.