EIGRP Tuning: Delay or Offset List
EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) is a Cisco proprietary routing protocol that is used in enterprise networks. It is a hybrid protocol that combines the advantages of the distance-vector and link-state algorithms. It is used for routing traffic within large networks and is highly scalable.
EIGRP can be used for both IPv4 and IPv6 networks, is highly secure, and has a low bandwidth usage. However, in order to maximize its performance, the protocol needs to be tuned properly. One of the most important parameters that needs to be adjusted is the delay or offset list.
The delay or offset list is a parameter that is used to configure the amount of time that EIGRP waits before sending out routing updates. By default, this value is set to 20 seconds. This is because EIGRP is designed to send out its routing updates as fast as possible. However, this can lead to network congestion, especially in large networks.
By adjusting the delay or offset list, the network administrator can control how quickly the routing protocol distributes its information. If the value is set too low, it could result in too much traffic being sent out, leading to congestion. If the value is set too high, it could result in the routing updates not being sent out in a timely manner, leading to slow response times.
To determine the optimal delay or offset list value, the network administrator should first look at the network topology. The network topology will determine how quickly the updates will need to be sent out in order to ensure that the network is stable and responsive. The size of the network and the number of destinations will also play a role in determining the optimal delay or offset list value.
Once the network topology is taken into account, the network administrator should also take into consideration the average load on the network. This will help the administrator determine how quickly the routing updates will need to be sent out to ensure that the network remains stable. If the network is busy, the delay or offset list should be set to a lower value. If the network is not very busy, the delay or offset list should be set to a higher value.
Finally, the network administrator should also consider the hardware and software capabilities of the routers that are running EIGRP. If the router is not capable of handling the amount of traffic that is generated by the routing protocol, the delay or offset list should be adjusted accordingly.
In conclusion, the delay or offset list is an important parameter that needs to be adjusted in order to maximize the performance of EIGRP. By taking into consideration the network topology, the average load on the network, and the hardware and software capabilities of the routers that are running EIGRP, the network administrator can determine the optimal delay or offset list value that will ensure that the routing protocol is performing at its best.
