What is an essential characteristic of distance vector protocols?

Distance vector protocols are designed to manage routing by communicating only with directly connected neighbors. This characteristic allows devices within the network to share information about the distance to other networks (the vector), which is typically represented in terms of hops or cost. By focusing solely on neighboring nodes, distance vector protocols simplify the complexity inherent in managing network topology changes.

In contrast to link-state protocols, which maintain a complete view of the network and require more processing power to manage a complete routing table, distance vector protocols keep resource usage lower by having a more limited scope of communication. This approach can facilitate faster convergence in smaller networks where link-state protocols may be unnecessarily complex.

Additionally, distance vector protocols tend to send updates at regular intervals, regardless of network changes. This practice can lead to outdated information being propagated through the network until subsequent updates are received, emphasizing the need for mechanisms like split horizon and hold-down timers to improve routing efficiency. However, the defining feature remains their reliance on information exchanged exclusively with neighboring routers, thus significantly influencing their operational dynamic.