Measure and compare the convergence time of network routing protocols

Abstract

Currently, IT systems require more and more reliability. It can be guaranteed only by using redundancy both in the connectivity and network devices. The authors attempted to measure the convergence time for EIGRP and OSPF routing protocols after link or network nodes failure. Research have been conducted with the real devices and hardware traffic generator. In case of both protocols, failures have been simulated in various places in the network topology. On this basis, time in which tested protocol restored full connectivity for a specific topology with backup links have been precisely determined. Knowledge of the time required to restore the network after a failure can be useful during designing services based on networks with implemented routing. This can improve a tolerance of connectivity interruptions.