Which type of routing protocol is EIGRP considered?

EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) is classified as a hybrid distance vector routing protocol. This classification is accurate because EIGRP incorporates elements of both distance vector and link-state routing protocols.

As a distance vector protocol, EIGRP employs a method of advertising routes to neighboring routers based on the distance to those routes, a characteristic common to traditional distance vector protocols. However, it also possesses features akin to link-state protocols, such as maintaining a topology table and exchanging routing updates through a more efficient process that minimizes unnecessary broadcasts and reduces convergence time.

This hybrid approach allows EIGRP to combine the simplicity of distance vector protocols with the more complex and efficient characteristics of link-state protocols, leading to faster convergence and more reliable routing decisions. Overall, EIGRP's ability to maintain both path metrics and neighbor relationships enhances its routing capabilities, distinguishing it as a hybrid protocol rather than fitting squarely into the traditional distance vector or link-state categories.