Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is a distance-vector routing protocol that uses hop count as its routing metric. RIP version 1 (RIPv1) uses broadcast updates every 30 seconds and has a maximum hop count of 15. RIPv1 supports classful routing only. RIP version 2 (RIPv2) is an enhanced protocol that uses multicasts, supports classless routing with VLSM, and allows for authentication. The document then provides the configuration and verification steps to implement RIPv2 routing between three routers connected in a network.