Is EIGRP an Open Standard? Decoding Its Evolution and Usage

EIGRP, or Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol, has long been a proprietary protocol developed by Cisco Systems. Although it has since been submitted for documentation through the IEEE, its open status remains a topic of discussion and confusion for many network professionals. This article delves into the history, current status, and usage of EIGRP to help clarify whether it is truly an open standard.

Cisco-Proprietary Genesis of EIGRP

First released in the 1980s, EIGRP was initially a proprietary protocol developed by Cisco Systems. It was designed to be an improvement on the classic IGPs (Interior Gateway Protocols), offering features like traffic engineering, variance, and multicast support that other proprietary and open protocols did not offer. As a result, it quickly became the de facto standard for many companies, especially those leveraging Cisco products.

A Shift Towards Standardization

Over the years, the networking landscape has evolved, with a growing emphasis on interoperability and open standards. Recognizing this trend, Cisco began the process of opening EIGRP to a broader audience. One of the significant steps was the submission of EIGRP documentation to IEEE in 2021. This submission aimed to formalize the protocol, making it more accessible and understandable to network engineers and researchers outside the Cisco ecosystem.

Key Features and Benefits of EIGRP

Despite its evolving status, EIGRP retains several features that make it a competitive and desirable protocol:

Comparison of Metrics: EIGRP's strength lies in its ability to combine multiple metrics (such as bandwidth, delay, load, and reliability) into a single composite metric, making path selection more accurate and efficient. Scalability: With its fast convergence, EIGRP can support large and complex networks without introducing significant delays in data transfer. Multi-Protocol Support: EIGRP can operate across multiple media types, from point-to-point links to Ethernet, offering flexibility in network design.

Current Status and Usage

While the documentation process with IEEE has progressed, EIGRP remains predominantly a proprietary protocol. It is still heavily used in Cisco environments due to its performance and feature set. However, non-Cisco environments often find EIGRP less appealing due to its lack of widespread support and the absence of open-source implementations.

Some organizations, particularly those with existing Cisco infrastructure, find value in maintaining their EIGRP protocol stacks. For these environments, EIGRP's features still provide a significant advantage over open standards like OSPF or BGPS in terms of packet loss, network stability, and convergence time. However, integrating EIGRP in new environments or in environments where open standards are mandated can pose challenges.

Deployment and Adoption Challenges

The adoption of EIGRP as an open standard faces several challenges, including:

Limited Support: Many non-Cisco routers and products do not support EIGRP, making it difficult to integrate across different manufacturer devices. Licensing and Cost: Licensing restrictions may prevent organizations from fully adopting EIGRP, especially in mixed-vendor networks. Talent and Knowledge Gap: Network professionals in industries solely using open standards may lack the expertise and familiarity with EIGRP, making its implementation less viable.

Conclusion

While EIGRP has taken a significant step towards becoming an open standard, its proprietary origins and limited support in non-Cisco environments mean that it does not fully meet the criteria of an open standard. For organizations deeply invested in Cisco products, the benefits of EIGRP's advanced features and performance make it a compelling choice. However, for those looking for a_protocol more widely adopted across different vendors and platforms, the transition to alternative open standards like OSPF or BGP remains a viable option.