What Does Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) Mean?
A diffusing update algorithm (DUAL or DUAL finite state machine) is a convergence algorithm that dictates a routing protocol used by Cisco’s proprietary Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) to prevent routing loops via a continuous route computation.
Techopedia Explains Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL)
Routing protocols use several techniques to prevent any loop, which is an unreachable destination causing data packets to bounce back. Loops must be prevented because they hamper the performance of the entire network. Looped packets may have to be retransmitted to ensure that transmission is not due to overflow or other delivery failure.
