Specifications

Routing Configuration Window
QuickSET Configuration Guide 129
Authentication
Authentication is a function of RIP-2 protocol only. It is not usually important to conceal the
information in the routing messages, but it is essential to prevent the insertion of bogus routing
information into the routers. Authentication prevents someone who cannot directly access the
network (i.e., someone who cannot sniff the packets to determine the password) from inserting
bogus routing information. Currently the only authentication type is a simple password.
Multicasting
The RIP-2 protocol provides for the IP multicasting of periodic advertisements. This feature was
added to RIP-2 to decrease the load on systems that do not support RIP-2. It also provides a
mechanism whereby RIP-1 routers will never receive RIP-2 routes. This feature is useful when the
correct use of an advertised route depends on knowing the precise subnet mask, which would be
ignored by a RIP-1 router.
Compatibility Switch
A compatibility switch is necessary for two reasons. First, there are implementations of RIP-1 in
the field that do not follow RFC1058, and second, the use of multicasting would prevent RIP-1
systems from receiving RIP-2 updates (which may be a desired feature in some cases). This switch
is configurable on a “per-interface” basis.
The switch has four send settings (or choices):
• RIP-1- in which only RIP-1 messages are sent (and received).
• RIP-1 Compatible - in which RIP-2 messages are broadcast *
• RIP-2- in which RIP-2 messages are multicast
• None - which disables the sending of all RIP messages
* RIP-1 Compatible mode should only be used when all of the consequences of its use are well
understood by the network administrator.
The Receive Control
This control is also configurable on a “per-interface” basis, and has four settings (or choices):
• To accept RIP-1 messages only
• To accept RIP-2 messages only
• To accept both RIP-1 and RIP-2 messages *
• and None; to not accept any type of RIP messages