ABSTRACT

Routing protocols are playing dynamic role in the modem communication networks. There are different types of routing protocols applied to specific network environment. The performance of each routing protocol is different from one another. A routing protocol is responsible to determine how routers communicate with each other and forward the packets through the selected path to travel from source node to target node. Some protocols are implemented such as distance vector and link state protocols. In this research, three typical types of routing protocols are chosen for the simulation such as RIP, IGRP and OSPF in order to compare their attributes and performance. This thesis also presents a Simulation based analysis of these protocols. In this study, the characteristics such as convergence time and routing traffic sent within large and small topologies are analyzed. Optimized Network Engineering Tool (OPNET) simulator used is analyzed the performance of these protocols. According to designed simulation experiment scenarios, the difference between RIP, IGRP, and
OSPF routing protocols is compared.

The performance of the three protocols with various parameters like network convergence, packet loss ratio, end-to-end delay and point to point throughput is investigated. It is analyzed, which protocols are suitable for different sizes and types of networks respectively.