Four routing protocols -- RIP, OSPF, BGP, and the Cisco protocols -- are at the heart of IP-based internetworking, and the Internet itself. In this comprehensive guide, respected telecommunications consultant Uyless Black teaches network professionals everything they need to build and manage networks with these protocols. Black begins with an exceptionally helpful tutorial on the fundamentals of Internet route discovery, architecture, and operations. Review the fundamentals of the Internet's two major interior gateway protocols, RIP and OSPF, with specific techniques for implementation and troubleshooting, and guidance on when to use each. Master the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), which is used to connect internal networks to the Internet; then gain an in-depth understanding of Cisco's Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP) for enterprise networks. Discover how to configure routers for maximum performance; when to use static/manual routing; and much more.