Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

In RIP version 2, how do routing updates differ from those in RIP version 1?

1. RIP version 2 utilizes multicast instead of broadcast.

2. RIP version 2 only supports IPv6.

3. RIP version 2 does not require administrative distance.

4. RIP version 2 uses different maximum hop counts.

The correct answer is: RIP version 2 utilizes multicast instead of broadcast.

RIP version 2 improves upon RIP version 1 primarily by shifting from broadcast to multicast for routing updates. In RIP version 1, routing updates are sent as broadcast messages to all hosts within the network segment. This means every device on the local network receives these updates, regardless of whether they use RIP. In contrast, RIP version 2 sends routing updates to a specific multicast address instead. This address is 224.0.0.9, which signifies that only devices configured to receive RIP updates will process them. This selective transmission reduces unnecessary network traffic and enhances efficiency by not burdening non-RIP routers with routing information. The other choices describe attributes unrelated to the actual distinctions in routing update methods between the two versions. While RIP version 2 does support both IPv4 and can share routing information without needing administrative distance adjustments for its own routes, these characteristics do not pertain to the fundamental way routing updates are disseminated. Additionally, both RIP versions have the same maximum hop count of 15, indicating the same limitations in network size and distance. Understanding that RIP version 2’s use of multicast addresses is a key aspect of its routing protocol improvements is essential for grasping how packet transmission efficiency is optimized in newer protocols.