Configuring Routing Information Protocol
RIP Configuration Task List
IPC-201
Cisco IOS IP Configuration Guide
Allowing Unicast Updates for RIP
Because RIP is normally a broadcast protocol, in order for RIP routing updates to reach nonbroadcast
networks, you must configure the Cisco IOS software to permit this exchange of routing information. To
do so, use the following command in router configuration mode:
To control the set of interfaces with which you want to exchange routing updates, you can disable the
sending of routing updates on specified interfaces by configuring the passive-interface router
configuration command. See the discussion on filtering in the “Filter Routing Information” section in
the “Configuring IP Routing Protocol-Independent Features” chapter.
Applying Offsets to Routing Metrics
An offset list is the mechanism for increasing incoming and outgoing metrics to routes learned via RIP.
Optionally, you can limit the offset list with either an access list or an interface. To increase the value of
routing metrics, use the following command in router configuration mode:
Adjusting Timers
Routing protocols use several timers that determine such variables as the frequency of routing updates,
the length of time before a route becomes invalid, and other parameters. You can adjust these timers to
tune routing protocol performance to better suit your internetwork needs. You can make the following
timer adjustments:
•The rate (time in seconds between updates) at which routing updates are sent
•The interval of time (in seconds) after which a route is declared invalid
•The interval (in seconds) during which routing information regarding better paths is suppressed
•The amount of time (in seconds) that must pass before a route is removed from the routing table
•The amount of time for which routing updates will be postponed
It also is possible to tune the IP routing support in the software to enable faster convergence of the
various IP routing algorithms, and, hence, quicker fallback to redundant routers. The total effect is to
minimize disruptions to end users of the network in situations where quick recovery is essential.
In addition, an address family can have explicitly specified timers that apply to that address-family (or
VRF) only. The timers basic command must be specified for an address family or the system defaults
for the timers basic command are used regardless of what is configured for RIP routing. The VRF does
not inherit the timer values from the base RIP configuration. The VRF will always use the system default
timers unless explicitly changed using the timers basic command.
Command Purpose
Router(config-router)# neighbor ip-address Defines a neighboring router with which to exchange routing
information.
Command Purpose
Router(config-router)# offset-list [access-list-number |
access-list-name] {in | out} offset [interface-type
interface-number]
Applies an offset to routing metrics.