What are the two Link State routing protocols?

Link State routing protocols are designed to provide routers with a comprehensive view of the network topology, allowing for more efficient and reliable routing decisions. These protocols operate by having each router maintain a complete map of the network, which is updated by exchanging Link State advertisements (LSAs) with other routers.

The correct answer identifies OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and IS-IS (Intermediate System to Intermediate System) as the two Link State routing protocols. OSPF is widely used in IP networks and operates within a single autonomous system, while IS-IS is a routing protocol primarily used in larger service provider networks. Both protocols utilize Dijkstra’s algorithm to calculate the shortest path to each node in the network based on the information provided by the Link States.

Understanding the nature of these protocols highlights their advantages, such as faster convergence and a more scalable approach to routing compared to distance-vector protocols, which rely on periodic updates and might not always reflect real-time network conditions.