There are two versions of RIP, commonly called RIP version 1 and RIPv2.  RIP stand for Routing Internet Protocol.  RIPv2 adds extra authentication options to the RIP protocol.  RIP works by finding where a route is located.  By default, the router checks every 30 seconds for a change of route.  This can affect your IP network as this delay will be noticable.  Once a route is found, it is kept and checked from time to time, until another route to the same network is found.  When a route is no longer advertised, it will disappear from the routing tables.  Routers will automatically use their default route when a route is not found in its routing table.  This type of routing is great for shops that only have one path to the internet and one path internally to its subnets.  Most ISPs use this protocol internal to their networks.

RIP is especially excellent when you have the option to tell your ISP where your IPs are located.  You might want multiple internal paths due to subnetting and may need a way to communicate with your ISP.  RIP can keep your internet location in touch with the internet.

Note: RIP can be setup in a multi uplink fashion, however, only one route will be broadcast to the next router.  To setup a RIP router with multiple routes, you will need a separate program that will detect issues and update the routing table.  Most kernel routing tables only allow one route to exist in its table.  The program will have each known route recorded so subnets will be tied to a particular uplink.  When a routing issue is detected, the program will update the kernel routing table.  Each route will be added to the kernel routing table with a "route add" command.  The kernel routing table can be shown by the "netstat -rn" command.  Please check out the man pages to find out how your particular operating system works with the route and netstat commands.

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