How to Configure RIP on Layer 3 Switch in Packet Tracer

A Multilayer switch, also referred to as a Layer 3 switch, is a type of switch with the capability to perform both routing and switching functions.

By default, a Multilayer switch can implement packet switching. However, for the Layer 3 switch to carry out routing functions, we need to enable IP routing from its global configuration interface and also convert its switchport to a routed port.

There are various ways to utilize a Layer 3 switch for routing functions. We can configure static routes on it or use dynamic routing protocols like EIGRP, RIP, or OSPF. Below are other posts detailing how to leverage a Layer 3 switch for IP routing:

• How To Configure OSPF on a Layer 3 Switch in Packet Tracer
• How To Configure a Static Route On a Cisco Layer 3 Switch in Packet Tracer
• OSPF Vs RIP: What is the Difference Between Them?

In today’s post, we will guide you on How to Configure RIP on a Layer 3 Switch. Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is one of the dynamic routing protocols that use distance vector to discover network routes and build the routing table.

Network Topology

The network topology that we will be making use of is shown in the image below. As you can see, it consists of two layer 3 switches and three PCs attached to each switch. I have completed the IP address configuration on each of the PCs.

How To Configure RIP on Multilayer Switch

Configuring RIP on a multilayer switch is similar to RIP configuration on a router, except that you need to enable IP routing on the Multilayer switch and also turn the switchports into routed ports.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to configure RIP on a layer switch:

Step 1: Assign IP addresses to SVI

For a multilayer switch to implement routing, we need to create a switch virtual interface (SVI) and assign an IP address to this SVI. This IP address will be used as the default gateway IP address for all the host devices attached to the layer 3 switch.

Here is how you can assign IP address to SVI on each of the multilayer switch;

Multilayer Switch0

Enter the following command to create the SVI and enable IP routing on the Multilayer Switch0:

Switch>en
Switch#conf t
Switch(config)#hostname SW0
SW0(config)#int vlan1
SW0(config-if)#ip address 192.168.3.1 255.255.255.0
SW0(config-if)#no shut
SW0(config)#ip routing

Multilayer Switch1

Enter the following command to create the SVI and enable IP routing on the Multilayer Switch1;

Switch>en
Switch#conf t
Switch(config)#hostname SW1
SW1(config)#int Vlan1  
SW1(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
SW1(config-if)#no shut
SW1(config)#ip routing

Step 3: Assign IP address to the switch interfaces

In our topology, multilayer switch0 connects to multilayer switch1 with fa0/1, and multilayer switch1 also connects to multilayer switch0 with its fa0/1 interface, so we need to assign an IP address to these two interfaces and turn the port to a routed port.

Here are the commands to change the port to a routed port and assign an IP address to it:

Multilayer Switch0

SW0;en
SW0#conf t
SW0(config)#int fa0/1
SW0(config-if)#no switchport
SW0(config-if)#ip address 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0
SW0(config-if)#no shut

Multilayer Switch1

SW1>en 
SW1#conf t
SW1(config)#int fa0/1
SW1(config-if)#no switchport
SW1(config-if)#ip address 192.168.2.2 255.255.255.0
SW1(config-if)#no shut

Step 5: Configure RIP

Multilayer Switch1

Enter the following command to configure RIP on SW1:

SW1>en
SW1#conf t
SW1(config)#router RIP
SW1(config-router)#network 192.168.1.0
SW1(config-router)#network 192.168.2.0

Multilayer Switch0

Enter the following command to configure a RIP on SW0:

SW0>en
SW0#conf t
SW0(config)#router RIP
SW0(config-router)#network 192.168.3.0 
SW0(config-router)#network 192.168.2.0

To confirm that RIP configuration worked, enter the following command;

SW0(config)#do show ip route

RIP can be confirmed as shown in the image below;

Step 6: Verify connectivity.

Open the command prompt on PC0 and ping the IP address of PC4 to verify connectivity. As shown in the image below, we got a reply.

Related Content

• How To Configure OSPF on a Layer 3 Switch in Packet Tracer
• How To Configure a Static Route On a Cisco Layer 3 Switch in Packet Tracer
• OSPF Vs RIP: What is the Difference Between Them?