Networking / Beginners

OSPF Operational Environment

This section describes the basic characteristics and features of the OSPF operational environment. The features and characteristics of its operation and design define the environment in which OSPF operates. Simply put, the operational environment of OSPF is defined as the network architecture in which the protocol can function correctly.

RFC 1793, "Extending OSPF to Support Demand Circuits," provides an example that concerns adding to OSPF the capability to operate in demand-based circuits. Until this RFC was published and implemented, OSPF did not function properly when dealing with circuits such as ISDN. Now that the protocol has been adjusted to operate properly when dealing with demand-based circuits, the functional environment of the protocol has expanded.

With that example in mind, turn your attention to the four router types and the three network types that OSPF recognizes.

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In this tutorial:

  1. OSPF Basics
  2. What Is a Routing Protocol?
  3. Basic Routing Protocol Operation
  4. Link-State Versus Distance Vector Routing Protocols
  5. Link-State Routing Protocols
  6. OSPF Characteristics
  7. Integrated Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System
  8. Distance Vector Routing Protocols
  9. Selecting a Routing Protocol
  10. Operational Considerations
  11. Protocols Supported
  12. Routing Hierarchies
  13. IP Address Management
  14. IP Encapsulation Support
  15. Technical Considerations
  16. Routing Updates
  17. Scalability
  18. Business Considerations
  19. SPF Overview
  20. OSPF Routing Hierarchy
  21. Hierarchical Network Design Techniques
  22. Routing Types Within an OSPF Network
  23. External Routes
  24. OSPF Areas
  25. Characteristics of a Standard OSPF Area
  26. Stub Areas
  27. Not-So-Stubby Areas
  28. OSPF Operational Environment
  29. Types of OSPF Routers
  30. OSPF Network Types
  31. Router Identification
  32. Neighbors
  33. Adjacencies