How do EIGRP routers communicate changes in network status?

EIGRP, or Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol, utilizes Query messages to communicate changes in network status. When a router in an EIGRP network detects a change—such as a failure in the network or a new route becoming available—it sends out Query messages to its neighbors. This process allows the routers to determine the best path to reach a destination based on the latest network topology.

These Query messages serve a crucial role in maintaining the EIGRP topology database. Upon receiving a Query message, neighboring routers respond with Reply messages containing information about their own routing capabilities and any alternative paths to the destination. This interaction ensures that all routers in the EIGRP domain can converge on the most up-to-date routing information efficiently.

HELLO packets, while vital for establishing neighbors and maintaining relationships, are not used for communicating status changes; they primarily serve to keep track of which routers are adjacent. Similarly, routing tables are internal structures that store the best routes but do not facilitate real-time updates about network changes. As for sending updates to all neighbors, EIGRP is designed to minimize unnecessary flooding of the network and uses targeted acknowledgments instead of broadcasting updates. In this respect, Query messages represent a more specific mechanism within EIGRP for handling dynamic changes in