Final answer:
EIGRP keeps track of directly connected neighbors in the neighbor table, a critical component for the function of the routing protocol. It contains information on the neighbors and uses EIGRP hello packets to maintain up-to-date status.
Step-by-step explanation:
EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) keeps track of directly connected neighbors in the neighbor table. EIGRP is an advanced distance-vector routing protocol, commonly used on router devices to help them decide how to forward traffic through a network. This protocol dynamically adjusts routes in the event of a change in the topology, such as when a new router is added or a router goes down.
The neighbor table is essential for EIGRP's operation because it maintains a list of routers that have a direct connection to the EIGRP-enabled router and are also participating in EIGRP. This information includes the IP addresses of the neighbor routers' interfaces connected to the shared network segment and various metrics. By exchanging messages, known as EIGRP hello packets, routers identify and track the status of their neighbors. If hello packets are not received within a predetermined period, EIGRP assumes the neighbor is no longer reachable and adjusts the routing table accordingly.