0

I'm studying networking from the book 'A top down approach' from Kurose and Ross.

In the book it is stated that routers are generally considered Layer 3 devices (i.e. implementing the stack up to the network layer).

RIP, a intra AS routing algorithm, should be a network layer component and yet it uses UDP as a mechanism for messages exchange.
Is this a violation of the general rule of isolation?Or am I getting something wrong?

1
  • 1
    "RIP, a intra AS routing algorithm" No, it is not. It is called a routing protocol. Routing protocols do not route and are not routing algorithms. A router routes based on what is in its routing table, and one way to populate the routing table is with a routing protocol, but the routing protocol doesn't route.
    – Ron Maupin
    Jun 27, 2018 at 14:55

1 Answer 1

1

Routers can be considered layer 3 devices because they provide their main function (routing) based on layer 3 information.

But a routing protocol, like RIP, is actually an application that the router uses to communicate with other routers. It uses IP/UDP as its transport. It could be considered to be at the application layer.

The usual caveats about theoretical models vs real-world implementations apply.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.