How to Confirm EIGRP is Running Smoothly in Your Network

When it comes to network management, knowing whether your protocols are acting up or running like a well-oiled machine is essential. Take EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol), for example. You might be wondering, "How do I even know if my EIGRP is performing like it should?" Well, it all starts with understanding what confirms EIGRP is operational.

Now, a common question that pops up is: What signifies that EIGRP is operating correctly in a network? Let’s break down the options:

1. Stability of routing tables: Yeah, this shows some performance indicators, but it’s a bit like checking the weather to predict the seasons — it doesn’t directly say if EIGRP is up and running.

2. Representation of neighbors in #show eigrp neighbors: This is your golden ticket! When you check this command, it lists all routers that are buddy-buddy with your local router. You want this to be healthy because it indicates that EIGRP can share and receive routing updates.

3. Frequency of hello packets: While a steady stream of these packets is a good sign of neighbor relationship maintenance, it's not the magic signpost of EIGRP functionality.

4. All routes in the routing table are active: Sure, that’s fantastic. Who doesn’t want an active routing table? But it doesn’t make any promises about EIGRP's operational health.

So what’s the winner here? It’s option B—the representation of neighbors in the show eigrp neighbors command. If neighbors are listed, you can bet your boots that those routers can chat and share their little routing secrets. This is crucial for EIGRP to function effectively. It’s like being part of a book club; you want everyone to connect and converse to make the best of your reading experience!

Even if you have stable routing tables or active routes, they're not direct indicators of EIGRP’s healthy state. This can sometimes be influenced by other factors or even different routing protocols. It’s the visibility of neighbors that really helps confirm that everything’s operating as it should.

By focusing on the show eigrp neighbors command, you’re arming yourself with a powerful tool. This command shines a light on the neighbor relationships that are fundamental for exchanging routing information!

Remember, EIGRP depends heavily on these neighbor connections. The better you understand how to manage these relationships, the smoother your network will operate. And if you can ensure that, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the intricacies of network management as you prepare for that CCNA Practice Exam!