ip hold-time eigrp [as] [secs]
Configures the EIGRP hold time (in seconds) for a specific EIGRP autonomous system on an interface, determining how long the router waits for a hello packet before declaring the neighbor down.
ip hold-time eigrp [as] [secs]When to Use This Command
- Tuning convergence time on a fast link by reducing the hold time to detect failures faster.
- Increasing hold time on a slow or congested link to prevent false neighbor loss due to delayed hello packets.
- Matching hold time with a neighbor's hello interval to ensure consistent neighbor relationships.
- Adjusting hold time for a specific EIGRP AS when multiple EIGRP processes run on the same interface.
Command Examples
Set hold time to 30 seconds for AS 100
ip hold-time eigrp 100 30R1(config-if)# ip hold-time eigrp 100 30 R1(config-if)#
The command is accepted without error. The hold time for EIGRP AS 100 on this interface is now 30 seconds. The router will wait 30 seconds without receiving a hello before declaring the neighbor down.
Verify hold time configuration
show ip eigrp 100 interface GigabitEthernet0/0EIGRP-IPv4 Interfaces for AS(100)
Xmit Queue Mean Pacing Time Multicast Pending
Interface Peers Un/Reliable SRTT Un/Reliable Flow Timer Routes
Gi0/0 1 0/0 1200 0/0 50 0
Hello interval: 10 sec, Hold time: 30 sec
Next hello in: 7.432 secsThe output shows the interface Gi0/0 for EIGRP AS 100. The 'Hold time: 30 sec' confirms our configuration. The 'Hello interval: 10 sec' is the default. The hold time should be at least three times the hello interval; here 30 sec is three times 10 sec, which is standard.
Understanding the Output
The command itself produces no output beyond the CLI prompt. To verify the hold time, use 'show ip eigrp [as] interface [interface]'. In the output, look for the line 'Hold time: X sec'. The hold time is typically three times the hello interval (default hello 5 sec, hold 15 sec; or hello 60 sec, hold 180 sec on NBMA). A hold time that is too short (e.g., equal to hello interval) can cause flapping neighbors. A hold time that is too long delays convergence. Ensure the hold time is consistent across neighbors; mismatched hold times do not prevent adjacency but may cause issues if one side times out faster.
CCNA Exam Tips
CCNA exam tip: The default hold time is three times the hello interval (15 sec for fast links, 180 sec for NBMA).
CCNA exam tip: Changing the hold time does not change the hello interval; they are configured separately.
CCNA exam tip: If you reduce the hold time, ensure the hello interval is also reduced proportionally to avoid neighbor flapping.
CCNA exam tip: The hold time must be greater than the hello interval; otherwise, neighbors will constantly time out.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Setting hold time equal to or less than the hello interval, causing constant neighbor resets.
Mistake: Forgetting to specify the AS number when multiple EIGRP processes exist, leading to configuration on the wrong AS.
Mistake: Not verifying the change with 'show ip eigrp interface', assuming the command took effect without checking.
Related Commands
ip hello-interval eigrp [as] [secs]
Configures the EIGRP hello interval on an interface, overriding the default hello interval for the specified autonomous system.
show ip eigrp neighbors
Displays the neighbor table for EIGRP, showing all directly connected EIGRP routers and their status, used to verify EIGRP adjacencies and troubleshoot neighbor relationships.
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