Which protocol is designed to dynamically discover routers and build routing tables?

The protocol specifically designed for dynamically discovering routers and building routing tables is EIGRP, which stands for Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol. EIGRP operates as a hybrid routing protocol, combining the best features of distance vector and link-state protocols. It uses a unique algorithm known as the Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) to efficiently calculate the shortest path to a destination while allowing for rapid convergence—a crucial factor in maintaining optimal network performance.

EIGRP enables routers to share information about the state of each route with neighboring routers. This dynamic discovery process means that as network topologies change—such as when a new router is added or an existing link goes down—EIGRP can quickly adapt and update the routing tables without requiring manual configuration. This capability enhances network resilience and reduces downtime, making it particularly valuable in larger networks with many routers.

Other protocols like OSPF, BGP, and RIP also facilitate dynamic routing but do so with different mechanisms and purposes that may not focus explicitly on router discovery in the same integrated manner as EIGRP. For instance, OSPF is a link-state protocol focusing on the overall topology of the network rather than solely discovering routers, while BGP is primarily used for routing between different autonomous systems on the internet