RIP for IPX

RIP for IPX, a distance vector routing protocol, distributes routing information on an IPX internetwork. RIP for IPX was derived from the Xerox Network Systems (XNS) form of RIP but contains an additional field called the Tick Count. The Tick Count is an estimate of the amount of time it takes an IPX packet to reach the destination network. The Tick Count enables the RIP for IPX router to choose the route that has the lowest delivery delay.

To reduce convergence time, RIP for IPX uses split horizon and triggered updates. For information about split horizon and triggered updates, see "Unicast IP Routing" in this book.

RIP for IPX consists of the following types of messages:

• RIP clients, such as workstations, can locate the optimal route to an IPX network number by broadcasting a RIP GetLocalTarget route request.
• Routers can request routing information from other routers by broadcasting a RIP general route request.
• Routers can respond to RIP GetLocalTarget and RIP general route requests.
• Routers can periodically (every 60 seconds by default) broadcast their routing tables using split horizon.
• Routers can perform a triggered-update broadcast to inform adjacent routers of a change in the IPX internetwork configuration.

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