The Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP) combines the ease of use of traditional routing protocols with the fast rerouting capabilities of link-state protocols, providing advanced capabilities for fast convergence and partial updates. When a network topology change occurs, the Diffusing Algorithm (DUAL) used with Enhanced IGRP provides convergence in less than five seconds in most cases. This is equivalent to the convergence achieved by link-state protocols such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Novell Link Services Protocol (NLSP), and Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS). In addition, Enhanced IGRP sends routing update information only when changes occur, and only the changed information is sent to affected routers.


Enhanced IGRP supports three network level protocols: IP, AppleTalk, and Novell Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX). Each of these has protocol-specific, value-added functionality. IP Enhanced IGRP supports variable-length subnet masks (VLSMs). IPX Novell Enhanced IGRP supports incremental Service Advertisement Protocol (SAP) updates, removes the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) limitation of 15 hop counts, and provides optimal path use. A router running AppleTalk Enhanced IGRP supports partial, bounded routing updates and provides load sharing and optimal path use.


The case study provided here discusses the benefits and considerations involved in integrating Enhanced IGRP into the following types of internetworks:


•IP—The existing IP network is running IGRP


•Novell IPX—The existing IPX network is running RIP and SAP


•AppleTalk—The existing AppleTalk network is running the Routing Table Maintenance Protocol (RTMP)


When integrating Enhanced IGRP into existing networks, plan a phased implementation. Add Enhanced IGRP at the periphery of the network by configuring Enhanced IGRP on a boundary router on the backbone off the core network. Then integrate Enhanced IGRP into the core network.