The Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is a dynamic routing protocol that FINDS the optimum path between the source and DESTINATION networks by using hop count as a routing metric. It is a distance-vector routing protocol with an AD value of 120 that operates at the OSI application layer. The RIP protocol USES port 520. The number of routers between the source and destination networks is referred to as the hop count. The path with the fewest hops is deemed the best route to a network and is thus entered into the routing table. The number of hops allowed in a path between source and destination is limited by RIP, which eliminates routing loops. The maximum number of hops allowed by RIP is 15, and a hop count of 16 is considered unreachable by the network.

Following are the features of Routing Information Protocol (RIP):

• Network updates are exchanged on a regular basis.
• Routing information (updates) are always broadcast.
• Routing tables in their entirety are SENT in updates.
• Routing information received from nearby routers is always trusted by routers. This is also known as rumour routing.