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Lab ipc-03 - RIPv2 Essentials

Lab ipc-03 - RIPv2 Essentials - PingLabz Labs article title card

RIP (Routing Information Protocol) is the dynamic routing protocol every textbook teaches first because it is the simplest. Distance-vector, hop count metric, max 15 hops, periodic full updates every 30 seconds. RIPv2 added classless support and authentication. Nobody designs new networks with RIP in 2026, but the CCNA exam still includes it because the concepts (route advertisement, hop count, AD 120) transfer to every other dynamic protocol. This lab configures RIPv2 on R1, R2, R3 of the base topology and watches it converge.

What you will learn

  • The router rip configuration syntax and the version 2 + no auto-summary hardening
  • Network statements - what they actually do (vs what they appear to do)
  • The RIP database vs the routing table
  • How RIP routes show up: R [120/hops]
  • Why passive-interface on loopbacks is best practice

What this lab does NOT cover

  • RIPng (RIP for IPv6) - same concepts, different protocol
  • RIP authentication
  • Distribute lists and route filtering

Topology

Download the CCNA Base Topology .yaml

The PingLabz CCNA Base Topology - 3 iol-xe routers + 1 alpine + 1 ioll2-xe switch.

Download CCNA Base Topology

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