What are the most effective routing protocols for campus networks?

Dynamic routing protocols are crucial for campus networks, providing adaptability and efficiency. OSPF is a popular choice for its fast convergence and scalability, ideal for complex network structures often found in large campus environments. EIGRP, while Cisco-specific, is favored for its rapid convergence, ease of configuration, and efficient bandwidth usage, making it suitable for varied campus network sizes. Though less efficient for larger networks, RIP can be used in smaller or simpler setups. The selection between these protocols depends on the network’s scale, complexity, and performance needs, with OSPF and EIGRP generally preferred for their robust handling of dynamic campus networks.

Dynamic routing protocols automate routing table updates, aiding routers in selecting optimal paths for data packets. They adapt to network changes, categorized into distance-vector (e.g., RIP, BGP) and link-state (e.g., OSPF, IS-IS) protocols. Distance-vector relies on hop count but may face slow convergence; link-state offers faster convergence, scalability, and detailed topology information. Despite benefits like scalability and fault tolerance, dynamic routing adds overhead and requires careful configuration. Selection depends on factors like network size and performance needs.

Static routing protocols involve manually configuring routing tables on routers, specifying explicit paths for data packets to follow. Unlike dynamic routing protocols, static routing does not involve automated updates based on network changes. Instead, administrators manually define routes, making static routing less adaptable to network changes but simpler to configure and manage. It's typically used in small networks or for specific purposes where network topology is stable and predictable. While static routing can offer predictable behavior and lower overhead compared to dynamic routing, it lacks features like automatic adaptation and load balancing.

Hybrid routing protocols, like EIGRP, blend characteristics of distance-vector and link-state protocols. EIGRP calculates routes based on factors beyond hop count, using metrics like bandwidth and delay. It maintains a topology table akin to link-state protocols, aiding in path selection. This approach ensures fast convergence, scalability, and reduced bandwidth usage. However, being proprietary to Cisco, interoperability can be a limitation. Other examples include Babel and BGP-LS, offering similar benefits with varying degrees of interoperability.