Which statement about RIPv1 is true?

Which statement about RIPv1 is true?

• A. Variable length subnet masking is not supported.
• B. It uses link-state database.
• C. It supports VLSM.
• D. It uses unicast updates only.

Answer: (B)

RIPv1 operates as a distance‑vector protocol and is classful, meaning it does not advertise or rely on subnet masks in its updates. Because the subnet mask isn’t carried with routes, RIP version 1 can’t distinguish between subnets that use different masks within the same major network, so VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Mask) isn’t possible with RIPv1. Updates are sent across the local network as broadcasts (to all hosts), not as unicast to specific routers, and it does not maintain a link‑state database—that type of database is used by link‑state protocols like OSPF or IS-IS. So the true statement is that variable length subnet masking is not supported.

RIPv1 operates as a distance‑vector protocol and is classful, meaning it does not advertise or rely on subnet masks in its updates. Because the subnet mask isn’t carried with routes, RIP version 1 can’t distinguish between subnets that use different masks within the same major network, so VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Mask) isn’t possible with RIPv1. Updates are sent across the local network as broadcasts (to all hosts), not as unicast to specific routers, and it does not maintain a link‑state database—that type of database is used by link‑state protocols like OSPF or IS-IS. So the true statement is that variable length subnet masking is not supported.