Routing Information Protocol (RIP)

Simple RIP example

This is an example of a typical medium sized network configuration using RIP routing.

Your company has 3 small local networks, one for each department. These networks are connected by RIP, and then connected to the Internet. Each subnet has more than one route, for redundancy. There are two central routers that are both connected to the Internet, and to the other networks. If one of those routers goes down, the whole network can continue to function normally.

The ISP is running RIP, so no importing or exporting routes is required on the side of the network. However, since the internal networks have static networking running those will need to be redistributed through the RIP network.

To keep the example simple, there will be no authentication of router traffic.

With RIP properly configured, if the device fails or temporarily goes offline, the routes will change and traffic will continue to flow. RIP is good for a smaller network due to its lack of complex configurations.

This section includes the following topics:

  • Network layout and assumptions
  • General configuration steps
  • Configuring the FortiGate units system information
  • Configuring other networking devices
  • Testing network configuration

Network layout and assumptions

Basic network layout

Your company has 3 departments each with their own network — Sales, R&D, and Accounting. Each network has routers that are not running RIP as well as FortiGate units running RIP.

The R&D network has two RIP routers, and each is connected to both other departments as well as being connected to the Internet through the ISP router. The links to the Internet are indicated in black.

The three internal networks do not run RIP. They use static routing because they are small networks. This means the FortiGate units have to redistribute any static routes they learn so that the internal networks can communicate with each other.

Where possible in this example, the default values will be used or the most general settings. This is intended to provide an easier configuration that will require less troubleshooting.

In this example the routers, networks, interfaces used, and IP addresses are as follows. Note that the Interfaces that connect Router2 and Router3 also connect to the R&D network.


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