In a networking environment, what does a "working neighbor" signify?

In a networking context, a "working neighbor" indicates a neighbor that is operational and reachable. This means that the device can send and receive data without issues, and it has a functional communication link established. Such dynamics are crucial for protocols that rely on neighbor discovery for routing decisions and maintaining network stability.

When neighbors are working properly, they can exchange routing updates, share network information, and collaborate in managing data flow efficiently. This situation is essential for routing protocols such as OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) or EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol), where the presence of active and reachable neighbors determines the overall health and performance of the routing environment.

In contrast to a working neighbor, an inactive neighbor would mean that no communication can take place, potentially leading to disrupted routing information and network inefficiencies. Similarly, neighbors that conflict with another route or have restrictions on traffic illustrate a breakdown in operational capacity, which would not classify them as "working."