What distinguishes RIPv2 from RIPv1?

RIPv2, which stands for Routing Information Protocol version 2, enhances its predecessor, RIPv1, in several key ways. One of the main distinctions is that RIPv2 includes support for Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) and incorporates subnet masking. This capability allows RIPv2 to send subnet mask information with its routing updates, enabling it to understand and support Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM). This means that networks can be divided into subnets of different sizes, which optimizes the use of IP addresses and makes routing more efficient.

By contrast, RIPv1 is classful and does not transmit subnet mask information, which limits its ability to work effectively in more complex network environments where varying subnet sizes are needed. This absence of support for classless routing means that when RIPv1 encounters a route with a different subnet mask, it cannot adjust or recognize it, leading to routing issues.

Thus, the inclusion of CIDR and the capability to understand subnet masking in RIPv2 is a significant advancement that distinguishes it from RIPv1.