Explain the concept of distance vector routing.

Distance vector routing is a type of routing algorithm used in computer networks to determine the best path for data packets to travel from the source to the destination. In this concept, each router maintains a table that contains information about the distance or cost to reach other routers in the network. The distance is typically measured in terms of the number of hops or the time it takes to reach a particular router.

The routers exchange this information with their neighboring routers periodically, allowing them to update their routing tables. Each router then selects the path with the lowest cost to reach a particular destination and forwards the data packets accordingly. This process continues until the data packets reach their intended destination.

Distance vector routing algorithms, such as the Routing Information Protocol (RIP), use the Bellman-Ford algorithm to calculate the best path. However, one limitation of distance vector routing is that it does not consider factors such as network congestion or link quality when determining the best path. Additionally, distance vector routing protocols may suffer from slow convergence and routing loops if not properly configured.