RIPng

RIPng, or Routing Information Protocol next generation, is a distance-vector routing protocol designed for use with IPv6. It is an updated version of the original RIP protocol, adapted to accommodate the larger address space and other features of IPv6. RIPng is primarily used in smaller, simpler networks where advanced routing features are not required.

The protocol operates by exchanging routing tables between neighboring routers. Each router maintains a table of known networks, along with the hop count (distance) to reach them. Routers periodically send their entire routing tables to their neighbors. When a router receives an update, it compares the information with its own table. If a new, shorter path to a network is found, or if a network becomes unreachable, the router updates its table and propagates the change to its neighbors.

RIPng uses hop count as its metric, meaning the path with the fewest router hops is considered the best. The maximum hop count is 15; any path with a hop count of 16 or more is considered unreachable. This simplicity makes RIPng easy to configure and manage, but it also limits its scalability and efficiency in larger or more complex networks.

Key features of RIPng include support for IPv6 addresses, split horizon to prevent routing loops, and poison reverse for loop detection. It also incorporates authentication mechanisms to enhance security. Despite its limitations, RIPng remains a viable option for specific IPv6 network deployments, particularly in edge routing or where straightforward routing is sufficient.