HSRP vs. VRRP

Ever heard of Redundant Routing Protocols? If not, it’s not that surprising, since this is a purely technical term; but once you stumble upon router problems, and when you have a demand for an increased or sustained network performance, then this article may help you in one way or another. In the process, you may encounter the terms HSRP and VRRP. To learn more about these terms, continue to read.

Developed by Cisco, HSRP, or Hot Standby Router Protocol, is a propriety redundancy protocol that establishes an error-free default gateway. This means that for multiple routers inside a network, there is a framework readily established by HSRP to make a default gateway, in the event that the main gateway inadvertently becomes inaccessible. It acts as a fail-safe, to put it in simple terms. This ensures a sustained connectivity even if certain problems are encountered. It was actually in 1994 when Cisco created a redundancy router protocol for its own use. This also utilizes a default hello countdown timer for 3 seconds, along with a hold timer that spans for 10 seconds.

On the contrary, the VRRP is a non-propriety protocol developed and invented by IEFT, back in 1999. This protocol is said to work for a wide range of systems. It even boasts of a faster timer of 1 second for its default hello, and a 3-second hold timer as well. Moreover, it has been observed that VRRP’s standby speaker is not able to send hellos, as opposed to its availability in the HSRP protocol.

In regards to VRRP, there is a backup router that supports the role of the master router, in the event that the latter fails to function. This redundancy protocol is basically used for routers that are not Cisco-based, such as the Juniper, although one type of Cisco model (the Cisco 3000) can utilize this protocol.

Although these two protocols share the same concepts, they are still somewhat incompatible. Overall, the two redundancy router protocols differ in the following aspects:

1. HSRP is propriety protocol developed by CISCO, whereas VRRP is a non-propriety protocol created by IFET.
2. HSRP was created in an earlier year compared to the more recent VRRP.
3. VRRP has a faster time for its default hello, and a faster hold time, as opposed to the slower HSRP timers.
4. VRRP’s standby speaker cannot send hellos like the HSRP protocols.