CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Why is RIP rarely chosen for large modern enterprise networks?
⚠ Common exam trap
Don't confuse RIP's limitations with features of other protocols; remember RIP's maximum hop count and distance-vector nature.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It scales poorly due to slow convergence and hop-count limitations
RIP is simple but has important scalability limits, including a maximum metric of 15 and relatively slow convergence compared with more modern protocols such as OSPF and EIGRP.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It does not support IPv4
Why it's wrong here
RIPv1 and RIPv2 are both IPv4 routing protocols: RIPv1 uses broadcast updates and classful addressing, while RIPv2 adds classless prefixes, VLSM, and multicast updates to 224.0.0.9. RIP is entirely compatible with IPv4, and in fact the original RIP was designed specifically for IPv4, so claiming it lacks IPv4 support is incorrect.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question asked about routing protocols that do not support IPv4 at all, or if it specifically focused on protocols that are exclusively designed for IPv6, then this option would be correct as RIP would not be applicable in those scenarios.
- ✓
It scales poorly due to slow convergence and hop-count limitations
Why this is correct
RIP's maximum hop count of 15 (with 16 considered unreachable) makes it impossible to use in networks with paths longer than 15 routers, and its distance-vector algorithm relies on periodic full-table updates and split horizon, causing slow convergence that scales poorly as network diameter grows. In large enterprise networks, route propagation and reconvergence times become unacceptably slow, and the hop limit itself is a hard scalability barrier.
- ✗
It cannot run on routers and only works on switches
Why it's wrong here
RIP is a traditional distance-vector routing protocol that runs on routers, including enterprise routers and integrated services routers; it can also run on Layer 3 switches, but it is by no means restricted to switch hardware. The idea that RIP cannot run on routers is simply backwards — routers are its primary platform, while switches typically use RIP only if they support Layer 3 routing.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question asked about protocols that are exclusively designed for Layer 2 devices, or if it specified a scenario where only switches are being configured for routing, then this option could be correct. For example, a question could ask which protocols are not applicable to routers in a Layer 2-only network.
- ✗
It requires link-state advertisements
Why it's wrong here
RIP is a distance-vector protocol that uses the Bellman-Ford algorithm to compute routes, exchanging periodic copies of its full routing table with directly connected neighbors. It does not build a network-wide topology map or send link-state advertisements; that behavior is characteristic of link-state protocols like OSPF and IS-IS, not RIP.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question asking about the characteristics of link-state routing protocols, stating that RIP requires link-state advertisements would be correct. For example, if the question specified which protocols utilize link-state advertisements, this option would accurately describe RIP's absence of that feature.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓It scales poorly due to slow convergence and hop-count limitationsCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
RIP's maximum hop count of 15 (with 16 considered unreachable) makes it impossible to use in networks with paths longer than 15 routers, and its distance-vector algorithm relies on periodic full-table updates and split horizon, causing slow convergence that scales poorly as network diameter grows. In large enterprise networks, route propagation and reconvergence times become unacceptably slow, and the hop limit itself is a hard scalability barrier.
✗It does not support IPv4Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
RIP supports both IPv4 and IPv6 (RIPng). The statement is factually incorrect because RIP has been used for IPv4 routing since its inception.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question asked about routing protocols that do not support IPv4 at all, or if it specifically focused on protocols that are exclusively designed for IPv6, then this option would be correct as RIP would not be applicable in those scenarios.
Why candidates choose this
Students might confuse RIP's age or simplicity with a lack of IPv4 support, or think that only newer protocols support IPv4.
✗It cannot run on routers and only works on switchesWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
RIP is a routing protocol that runs on routers, not switches. While some multilayer switches can run routing protocols, RIP is not exclusive to switches.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question asked about protocols that are exclusively designed for Layer 2 devices, or if it specified a scenario where only switches are being configured for routing, then this option could be correct. For example, a question could ask which protocols are not applicable to routers in a Layer 2-only network.
Why candidates choose this
A test-taker might think RIP is only for switches because it is simpler and sometimes used in small networks where switches might perform routing, but that is not accurate.
✗It requires link-state advertisementsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
RIP is a distance-vector protocol, not a link-state protocol. It uses hop count as its metric and exchanges entire routing tables, not link-state advertisements (LSAs) like OSPF.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question asking about the characteristics of link-state routing protocols, stating that RIP requires link-state advertisements would be correct. For example, if the question specified which protocols utilize link-state advertisements, this option would accurately describe RIP's absence of that feature.
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse distance-vector and link-state protocols. They might incorrectly associate RIP with LSAs because both are routing protocols, but the mechanism is different.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
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Interpreting HSRP and VRRP Operational Status
Key term
OSPF
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol used to find the best path for data packets to travel across IP networks, like a smart GPS that recalculates routes when traffic changes.
Key term
RIP
RIP (Routing Information Protocol) is a distance-vector routing protocol that routers use to exchange information about network paths to determine the best route for data packets based on hop count.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.