Performance Evaluation and Comparison of RIP, EIGRP and OSPF Routing Protocols

Abstract

Routing protocols are the backbone of dynamic communication in computer networks, playing a vital role in determining the most efficient path for data transmission. This study presents a comparative performance analysis of three prominent routing protocols—RIP, EIGRP, and OSPF—using a controlled simulation environment in NS3. The evaluation focuses on critical metrics including end-to-end delay, throughput, and router update frequency. A uniform network topology was designed to ensure fairness and consistency across protocol implementations. The results demonstrate that EIGRP outperforms the other protocols in terms of minimal delay and robust packet delivery, while OSPF shows balanced performance with strong path optimization features. RIP, although simple and widely understood, exhibits limitations in convergence speed and network scalability. This paper provides valuable insights for network engineers and researchers seeking to select appropriate routing protocols based on specific performance requirements and network conditions.