In this tutorial we will provide a step by step configuration guide for EIGRP routing protocol.

EIGRP uses the concept of AS and Wildcard mask which makes its configuration part a little
bit more complex. We will explain these fundamental topics in easy language with examples.
This tutorial is last part of our article EIGRP Routing Protocol Explained with examples".
You can read other parts of this article here.

EIGRP Tutorial Basic concept explained

http://computernetworkingnotes.com/ccna-study-guide/eigrp-tutorial-basic-conceptexplained.html
This is the first part of this article. In this part we explained basic concepts of EIGRP such as
Features and characteristics of EIGRP, Neighbor Table, Topology Table, Routing Table, Protocol
Dependent Modules, Metric, RTP, DUAL, Autonomous System and Administrative Distance.

EIGRP Neighborship Requirements and Conditions

http://computernetworkingnotes.com/ccna-study-guide/eigrp-neighborship-requirements-andconditions.html
This is the second part of this article. In this part we explained how two routers become EIGRP
neighbor and maintain this neighborship. In order to become an EIGRP neighbor, three essential
configuration values must be matched. This part explains these values with neighborship building
process in detail with example.

EIGRP Metric K Values Explained with Examples

http://computernetworkingnotes.com/ccna-study-guide/eigrp-metric-k-values-explainedwith-examples.html
This is the third part of this article. EIGRP uses composite metric calculation formula to calculate
the best path. Bandwidth, reliability, delay, load and MTU are the components of formula. In this
part we explained these components with formula in easy language with examples.

For demonstration we will use packet tracer network simulator software. You can use real
Cisco devices or any other network simulator software for following this guide.
Create a topology as illustrate in following figure or download pre-created topology from our
server.

Device

Interface

IP Configuration

Connected with

PC0
Router0
Router0
Router4
Router4
Router3
Router3
Router5
Router5
Server
Router5
Router2
Router2
Router1
Router1
Router0

Fa0/0
Fa0/0
Fa0/1
Fa0/1
Fa0/0
Fa0/0
Fa0/1
Fa0/1
Fa0/0
Fa0/0
Se0/0/0
Se0/0/0
Se0/0/1
Se0/0/1
Se0/0/0
Se0/0/0

10.0.0.2/8
10.0.0.1/8
192.168.1.1/30
192.168.1.2/30
192.168.1.5/30
192.168.1.6/30
192.168.1.9/30
192.168.1.10/30
20.0.0.1/8
20.0.0.2/8
192.168.1.254/30
192.168.1.253/30
192.168.1.250/30
192.168.1.249/30
192.168.1.246/30
192.168.1.245/30

Router0s Fa0/0
PC0s Fa0/0
Router4s Fa0/1
Router0s Fa0/1
Router3s F0/0
Router4s Fa0/0
Router5s Fa0/1
Router3s Fa0/1
Serve0s Fa0/0
Router5s Fa0/0
Router2s Se0/0/0
Router5s Se0/0/0
Router1s Se0/0/1
Router2s Se0/0/1
Router0s Se0/0/0
Router1s Se0/0/0

Assign IP address to PCs

Double click PC0 and click Desktop menu item and click IP Configuration. Assign IP address
10.0.0.2/8 to PC0.

Repeat same process for Server0 and assign IP address 20.0.0.2/8.

Assign IP address to interfaces of routers

Double click Router0 and click CLI and press Enter key to access the command prompt of
Router0.

Three interfaces FastEthernet0/0, FastEthernet0/1 and Serial0/0/0 of Router0 are

used in this topology. By default interfaces on router are remain administratively down
during the start up.
We need to configure IP address and other parameters on interfaces before we could actually
use them for routing. Interface mode is used to assign the IP address and other parameters.
Interface mode can be accessed from global configuration mode. Following commands are
used to access the global configuration mode.

Router>enable
Router# configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#
From global configuration mode we can enter in interface mode. From there we can configure
the interface. Following commands will assign IP address on FastEthernet0/0 and
FastEthernet0/1.

Router(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/0

Router(config-if)#ip address 10.0.0.1 255.0.0.0
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/1
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#
interface fastEthernet 0/0 command is used to enter in interface mode.
ip address 10.0.0.1 255.0.0.0 command will assign IP address to interface.
no shutdown command will bring the interface up.
exit command is used to return in global configuration mode.
Serial interface needs two additional parameters clock rate and bandwidth. Every serial cable
has two ends DTE and DCE. These parameters are always configured at DCE end.
We can use show controllers interface command from privilege mode to check the cables
end.

Router#show controllers serial 0/0/0

Interface Serial0/0/0
Hardware is PowerQUICC MPC860
DCE V.35, clock rate 2000000
[Output omitted]
Fourth line of output confirms that DCE end of serial cable is attached. If you see DTE here
instead of DCE skip these parameters.

Now we have necessary information lets assign IP address to serial interface.

Router# configure terminal

Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#interface serial 0/0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.245 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#clock rate 64000
Router(config-if)#bandwidth 64
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router#configure terminal Command is used to enter in global configuration mode.
Router(config)#interface serial 0/0/0 Command is used to enter in interface mode.
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.245 255.255.255.252 Command assigns IP
address to interface. For serial link we usually use IP address from /30 subnet.

Router(config-if)#clock rate 64000

In real life environment this parameter controls the data flow between serial links and need
to be set at service providers end. In lab environment we need not to worry about this value.
We can use any valid rate here.

Router(config-if)#bandwidth 64
Bandwidth works as an influencer. It is used to influence the metric calculation of EIGRP or
any other routing protocol which uses bandwidth parameter in route selection process.

Router(config-if)#no shutdown Command brings interface up.

Router(config-if)#exit Command is used to return in global configuration mode.
We will use same commands to assign IP addresses on interfaces of remaining routers. We
need to provided clock rate and bandwidth only on DCE side of serial interface. Following
command will assign IP addresses on interface of Router1.

Router1

Router>enable
Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#interface serial 0/0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.246 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#interface serial 0/0/1
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.249 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#clock rate 64000
Router(config-if)#bandwidth 64
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
We will use same commands to assign IP addresses on interfaces of remaining routers.

Router2
Router>enable
Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#interface serial 0/0/1
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.250 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#interface serial 0/0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.253 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#clock rate 64000
Router(config-if)#bandwidth 64
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit

Router5
Router>enable
Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 20.0.0.1 255.0.0.0
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/1
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.10 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#
Router(config)#interface serial 0/0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.254 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router3
Router>enable
Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.6 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/1
Router(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.9 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#
Router4
Router>enable
Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

Router(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/0

Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.5 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/1
Router(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.2 255.255.255.252
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#
Great job we have finished our half journey. Now routers have information about the
networks that they have on their own interfaces. Routers will not exchange this information
between them on their own. We need to implement EIGRP routing protocol that will insist
them to share this information.
To be on same track I have uploaded my practice topology on our server. Use that if you want
to skip the IP configuration part.

Configure EIGRP routing protocol

Enabling EIGRP is a two steps process: Enable EIGRP routing protocol from global configuration mode.
Tell EIGRP which interfaces we want to include.
For these steps following commands are used respectively.
Router(config)# router eigrp autonomous_system_#
Router(config-router)# network IP_network_# [subnet_mask]

Router(config)# router eigrp autonomous_system_#

This command will enable EIGRP routing protocol in router. We can use any ASN
(Autonomous System Number) from 1 to 65,535. In order to become EIGRP neighbors this
number must be same on all participates.

Router(config-router)# network IP_network_# [subnet_mask]

This command allows us to specify the local interfaces which we want to include in EIGRP.
Basically we define a range of addresses and router search for these addresses in local
interfaces. If match found EIGRP will be enabled on that interface. Once enabled, EIGRP will
starts advertising about the connected subnets with that interface.

We have two options while defining the range of addresses with network command
1. Without wildcard mask
2. With wildcard

Without wildcard
Choosing this option allows us to configure the classful network. This option is very
straightforward. All we need to do is, type the network ID with network command. For
example network 172.168.0.0 command will enable EIGRP on all interfaces which belong to
network 172.168.0.0.
What if I type network number instead of network ID?
Well in this situation EIGRP will automatically convert it back to network ID in which this
network number is resides. For example 172.168.1.1 will be converted back in 172.168.0.0.
This creates another query. Why it will be converted in 172.168.0.0 instead of 172.168.1.0?
Answer of this question is hidden in classful configuration. In classful configuration EIGRP
will match network addresses with in default boundary. Consider following figure

We have four networks 172.168.1.0/24, 172.168.2.0/24, 172.168.3.0/24 and 172.168.4.0/24

Subnetted from single class B network 172.168.0.0/16. Classful configuration does not
understand the concept of Subnetting. In classful configuration all these networks belong to a
single network. Classful configuration works only with in default boundary of mask. Default
boundary of this address is 16 bits. So it will match only first 16 bits (172.168.x.y) of network
address.

If we want excludes serial interfaces from EIGRP, we need to configure network command
with more specific information.

With wildcard
In this option we provide wildcard mask along with network ID. Wildcard mask allows us to
match exact networks. With wildcard we are no longer limited with default boundaries. We
can match Subnetted networks as well as default networks.
For example we were tasked to exclude serial interfaces in above configuration. We can use a
wildcard mask of 0.0.0.255 to match the subnet mask of /24.

Router(config-router)# network 172.168.1.0 0.0.0.255

Router(config-router)# network 172.168.2.0 0.0.0.255
Above commands will ask router to match /24 bits of address instead of default /16 bits.
Now router will look for 172.168.1.x and 172.168.2.x network. Our serial interfaces have
172.168.3.0/24 and 172.168.4.0/24 networks which do not fall in these search criteria.
If you are unfamiliar with wildcard mask, I suggest you to read our tutorials on ACL where
we explained wildcard mask in detail with examples.
Until you learn wildcard mask, use subnet mask in the place of wildcard mask. Following
commands are also valid and do the same job by matching /24 bits of address.

Router(config-router)# network 172.168.1.0 255.255.255.0

Router(config-router)# network 172.168.2.0 255.255.255.0
Subnet mask is a substitute, not a replacement of wildcard mask. When we use Subnet mask,
router converts them in wildcard mask before searching for associated interfaces. We can
look in running configuration to know what exactly being used by router.

If you are a CCNA candidate or preparing for any Cisco certification, I suggest you to use
wildcard mask instead of Subnet mask with network command. In real life implementation
you can use either subnet mask or wildcard mask. If you use wildcard, it will be used as it is.
If you use subnet mask, it will be converted in wildcard mask before using.

EIGRP configuration
Now we know the essential commands for configuration. Lets implement them in our
network.

Router0
Router(config)#router eigrp 20
Router(config-router)#network 10.0.0.0 0.0.0.255
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.244 0.0.0.3
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.3
Router(config-router)#

Router1
Router(config)#router eigrp 20
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.244 0.0.0.3
Router(config-router)#
%DUAL-5-NBRCHANGE: IP-EIGRP 20: Neighbor 192.168.1.245 (Serial0/0/0) is up: new
adjacency
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.248 0.0.0.3
Router(config-router)#

Router2
Router(config)#router eigrp 20
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.248 0.0.0.3
Router(config-router)#
%DUAL-5-NBRCHANGE: IP-EIGRP 20: Neighbor 192.168.1.249 (Serial0/0/1) is up: new
adjacency
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.252 0.0.0.3
Router(config-router)#
As I mentioned earlier, we can use both wildcard mask and subnet mask with network
command. We have used wildcard mask for above routers. In remaining routers we will use
subnet mask.

Router5
Router(config)#router eigrp 20
Router(config-router)#network 20.0.0.0 255.0.0.0
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.252 255.255.255.252
Router(config-router)#
%DUAL-5-NBRCHANGE: IP-EIGRP 20: Neighbor 192.168.1.253 (Serial0/0/0) is up: new
adjacency
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.8 255.255.255.252
Router(config-router)#

Router3
Router(config)#router eigrp 20
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.8 255.255.255.252
Router(config-router)#
%DUAL-5-NBRCHANGE: IP-EIGRP 20: Neighbor 192.168.1.10 (FastEthernet0/1) is up: new
adjacency
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.4 255.255.255.252
Router(config-router)#

Router4

Router(config)#router eigrp 20
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.4 255.255.255.252
Router(config-router)#
%DUAL-5-NBRCHANGE: IP-EIGRP 20: Neighbor 192.168.1.6 (FastEthernet0/0) is up: new
adjacency
Router(config-router)#network 192.168.1.0 255.255.255.252
Router(config-router)#
%DUAL-5-NBRCHANGE: IP-EIGRP 20: Neighbor 192.168.1.1 (FastEthernet0/1) is up: new
adjacency
Router(config-router)#
Thats it. Our network is ready to take the advantage of EIGRP routing. To verify the setup
we will use ping command. ping command is used to test the connectivity between two
devices. We have two routes between source and destination. tracert command is used to
know the route which is used to get the destination.
Access the command prompt of PC1 and use ping command to test the connectivity from
Server0. After that use tracert command to print the taken path.

Good going we have successfully implemented EIGRP routing protocol in our network. For
cross check we have uploaded a configured topology on our server. You can use that if not
getting same output.
EIGRP protocol automatically manages all routes for us. If one route goes down, it will
automatically switch to another available route. To explain this process more clearly we have
added one additional route in our network.
Currently there are two routes between PC0 and Server.
Route 1
PC0 Router0 Router4 Router3 Router5 Server0
Route 2
PC0 Router0 Router1 Router2 Router5 Server0
By default EIGRP uses the route that has low metric value. Our path separates from Router0,
so lets see which route it takes to deliver the packet of 20.0.0.0 network. show ip route
eigrp command will list all available routes.

Output of show ip route eigrp Explained

D: - It indicates that route is learned by EIGRP. Cisco chose letter D for EIGRP, because
letter E was already taken by Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP).
20.0.0.0/8: - It is our destination network.
90: - Administrative distance of EIGRP.
35840: - Is the metric value of this route calculated by EIGRP
Via 192.168.1.2: - IP address of the next hop.
00:01:01: - How long this route was learned (Age of route)
FastEthernet1: - Exit interface of this router to get the next hop.
You may wonder where Route2 is in this output. Well EIGRP puts only the best route in
routing table. Route2s metric value is higher than Route1. Till route1 is available, it will not
insert route2 in routing table. When route1 is down, it will look for next possible route. If
other routes are available, it will replace current route with new route which has the lowest
metric value. We can watch this process live with debug eigrp fsm command. On debug
process on Router0.

Router# debug eigrp fsm

Now suppose route1 is down. We can simulate this situation by removing the cable attached
between Router3 [Fa0/1] and Router5 [Fa0/1].

Okay our primary route went down. What will be happen now?

EIGRP will look in topology table for next available routes. If single alternative is available, it
will be selected. If multiple routes are available, it will select the route with the lowest metric
value.
We can use show ip route eigrp command again to see the selected route.

Run tracert command again from PC0 to verify the change.

Thats all for this article. Before closing just do a quick recap of important commands.

EIGRP configuration commands cheat sheet

Command

Description

Router(config)#router
eigrp 20

Enable EIGRP with AS number 20. AS number must be same

on all routers to become EIGRP neighbor.

Router(configrouter)#network 10.10.0.0

Enable EIGRP on interfaces which belongs to network

10.0.0.0/8. [Classful implementation].

Router(configrouter)#network 10.10.0.0
0.0.255.255

Enable EIGRP on interfaces which belongs to network

10.10.0.0/16. [Classless implementation Wildcard mask
method].

Router(configrouter)#network 10.10.0.0

Enable EIGRP on interfaces which belongs to network

10.10.0.0/16. [Classless implementation Subnet mask

255.255.0.0

method].

Router(config-router)#no
network 10.10.0.0

Disable EIGRP on interfaces which belongs to network

10.0.0.0/8.

Router(config-router)#no
network 10.10.0.0
0.0.255.255

Disable EIGRP on interfaces which belongs to network

10.10.0.0/16.

Router(config-router)#no
network 10.10.0.0
255.255.0.0

Disable EIGRP on interfaces which belongs to network

10.10.0.0/16.
Enable/Disable K values used in metric calculation formula.
Default values are tos=0, k1=1, k2=0, k3=1, k4=0, k5=0

Router(config-router)
#metric weights tos
k1 k2 k3 k4 k5

Tos(type of service), K1(bandwidth), K2(load), K3(delay),

K4(reliability), K5(MTU).
By default only K1 and K3 are enabled.

Router(configrouter)#auto-summary

Enable auto summarization feature of EIGRP. ( Default

disable )

Router(config-router)#no
auto-summary

Disable auto summarization feature of EIGRP.

Router(config)#no router
eigrp 20

Disable EIGRP routing process 20.

Router(configif)#bandwidth 64
Router#show ip eigrp
neighbors
Router#show ip eigrp
neighbors detail

Set bandwidth to 64Kbps. Used to influence the metric

calculation.

Display the neighbor table in brief.

Display the neighbor table in detail. Used to verify whether a

neighbor is configured as stub router or not.

Router#show ip eigrp
interfaces

Display information about all EIGRP interfaces.

Router#show ip eigrp
interfaces serial 0/0

Display information about a particular EIGRP interface.

Router#show ip eigrp
interfaces 20

Display information about EIGRP interfaces running AS

process 20.

Router#show ip eigrp
topology

Displays the topology table.

Router#show ip eigrp
traffic

Displays the number and type of packets sent and received.

Router#show ip route eigrp Display EIGRP route from routing table.

Router#debug eigrp fsm

Displays the events or actions related to feasible successor

metrics (FSM).

Router#debug eigrp packet

Displays the events or actions related to EIGRP packets.

Router#no debug eigrp fsm

Turn off debug message related to feasible successor metrics

(FSM).

Router#no debug eigrp

packet

Turn off debug message related to EIGRP packets.

For more articles please visit our site

ComputerNetworkingnotes.com