Flapping occurs when a network interface, hardware component, or routing advertisement repeatedly drops and recovers in quick succession. This rapid state change forces routers to constantly recalculate paths, consuming processing power and potentially destabilizing the broader network. Administrators usually configure dampening protocols to automatically suppress or ignore a flapping link until it proves stable for a set duration.
Heard on the job
The primary fiber link to the data center is flapping, so I manually shut the port down to force traffic over the backup line.
Insider tip
If a physical interface is flapping, the first thing to check is a loose cable or a failing transceiver module.
Also heard as
- link flapping
- route flapping