Question

A network engineer is documenting the differences between EIGRP and OSPF for a design review. A senior architect asks how each protocol determines the best path and reacts to topology changes. Which statement accurately compares the two protocols?

Accepted Answer

EIGRP uses a composite metric (bandwidth and delay by default) and can use feasible successors for immediate failover, while OSPF calculates a cost based on interface bandwidth and runs the SPF algorithm to build its tree.

Answer

Both EIGRP and OSPF use the Dijkstra SPF algorithm, but EIGRP applies a composite metric while OSPF uses hop count as its metric.

Answer

OSPF maintains feasible successors as precomputed backup routes, whereas EIGRP must recompute the entire topology on every link failure.

Answer

EIGRP requires a hierarchical area design with a backbone area, while OSPF is a flat distance-vector protocol with no area concept.