Final answer:
By default, Cisco routers are configured with RIP version 1 (RIPv1), but for improved network functionality, protocols like RIPv2, EIGRP, and OSPF are recommended.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Routing Information Protocol (RIP) process that is configured by default on a Cisco router is RIP version 1 (RIPv1). However, it's important to note that in modern network design, newer routing protocols such as RIP version 2 (RIPv2), Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) are preferred over RIPv1 due to improved features like support for Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM), authentication, and more efficient handling of routing updates.
RIPv1 has significant limitations, including lack of support for authentication and VLSM, which led to the development of RIPv2. Both RIPv1 and RIPv2 are distance-vector routing protocols that are used for smaller network implementations due to their simplicity over the more sophisticated EIGRP (which is Cisco proprietary) and OSPF (which is used for larger and more complex network environments).