Which protocol type maintains a complete map of the network's topology?

Link-state protocols maintain a complete map of the network's topology by allowing routers to share a detailed view of their links and their states. Each router using a link-state protocol accumulates information about the state of each link to its neighboring routers. This information is then used to construct a comprehensive map or graph of the entire network.

This detailed topological information enables link-state protocols like OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and IS-IS (Intermediate System to Intermediate System) to calculate the most efficient path to each destination within the network. Each router independently builds its own routing table using the map of the network, which enhances scalability and convergence times since every router has the same view of the network.

In contrast, distance vector protocols, such as RIP (Routing Information Protocol), rely on the exchange of distance metrics and do not maintain a complete knowledge of the network topology. Instead, they work by sharing information about the distance to reach various destinations, which is less detailed than the comprehensive maps created by link-state protocols. Static routing protocols, on the other hand, do not adapt to changes in the network topology dynamically and thus do not maintain a real-time map of the network. These fundamental differences highlight why link-state protocols are key in maintaining a