What is routing loop

A routing loop is a condition in which a packet is continuously transmitted within a series of routers without ever reaching its intended destination network. A routing loop can occur when two or more routers have routing information that incorrectly indicates that a valid path to an unreachable destination exists.

The loop may be a result of:

• Incorrectly configured static routes
• Incorrectly configured route redistribution (redistribution is a process of handing the routing information from one routing protocol to another routing protocol and is discussed in CCNP-level courses)
• Inconsistent routing tables not being updated due to slow convergence in a changing network
• Incorrectly configured or installed discard routes

Distance vector routing protocols are simple in their operations. Their simplicity results in protocol drawbacks like routing loops. Routing loops are less of a problem with link-state routing protocols but can occur under certain circumstances.

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