|  | 11.3 | Distance-Vector Routing
| 11.3.4 | The problem of routing loops
Routing loops can occur if a network's slow convergence on a new configuration causes inconsistent routing entries. The Figure illustrates how a routing loop can occur: Just before the failure of Network 1, all routers have consistent knowledge and correct routing tables. The network is said to have converged. Assume for the remainder of this example that Router C's preferred path to Network 1 is by way of Router B, and the distance from Router C to Network 1 is 3. When Network 1 fails, Router E sends an update to Router A. Router A stops routing packets to Network 1, but Routers B, C, and D continue to do so because they have not yet been informed of the failure. When Router A sends out its update, Routers B and D stop routing to Network 1; however, Router C has not received an update. To Router C, Network 1 is still reachable via Router B. Now Router C sends a periodic update to Router D, indicating a path to Network 1 by way of Router B. Router D changes its routing table to reflect this good, but incorrect, information, and propagates the information to Router A. Router A propagates the information to Routers B and E, and so on. Any packet destined for Network 1 will now loop from Router C to B to A to D and back to again to C.