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Introduction to OSPF

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Introduction to OSPF
» OSPF is a link state routing protocol.
» OSPF uses link state logic, which can be broken
into three branches:
• Neighbor discovery
• Topology database exchange
• Route computation

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Introduction to OSPF
» OSPF neighbors are discovered using hello packets,
just like EIGRP.
» Hello packets are sent using multicast address 224.0.0.5.
» OSPF does not use TCP or UDP for its transport; it uses IP
protocol 89.
» OSPF uses the concept of areas OSPF
» Routers can be in multiple areas Known
» as ABR (Area Border Router)

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Introduction to OSPF
» OSPF topology database, commonly known as
link state database, is exchanged inside an area
only.
» This detailed topology information is not
exchanged between different areas.
» OSPF has a hierarchical design
» All areas must connect into the backbone
(area 0)
» Prevents routing loops
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Introduction to OSPF
» ABRs connect non-backbone areas to the backbone area.
» Instead of exchanging detailed topology information
between areas, ABRs only advertise the subnets between
areas.
» Inside an area, all internal routers must have the same
image of the network; that is, their link state databases
must be the same.
» After the link state database is populated, shortest path
first (SPF) is run on link state database (LSDB) to the find
best, lowest cost, paths to all destinations.
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Introduction to OSPF
» To configure OSPF on any router, we first enable OSPF
process using the command router ospf <process-id>
» Process ID is locally significant
» To advertise any particular subnet or to enable any interface
for OSPF to discover neighbors on that interface, the
network command is used.
» network [ip subnet][wildcard-mask] area
<area-number>

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Introduction to OSPF
» If multiple network commands match the same
interface, the interface will be advertised in an area with
a more specific wildcard mask (most 0s)
» The more specific command is always shown on the
top in the running-configuration of router.

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Introduction to OSPF
» OSPF uses the same concept as EIGRP to assign a
router-ID for OSPF process:
• manually configured router-ID is preferred over…
• highest IP address of any up/up loopback
interface, which is preferred over …
• highest IP address of any up/up non-loopback
interface
» OSPF also uses the concept of DR and BDR, which
will be discussed in detail later.
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