Multi-area OSPF divides a network into smaller logical zones connected through Area 0 (the backbone). Each non-backbone area connects to Area 0 through an Area Border Router (ABR), which maintains the LSA databases for both areas and summarizes routes between them. This lab uses the PingLabz OSPF Reference Lab - R1, R2, R3 in Area 0; R4 in Area 30 across a P2P link to R2 (the ABR).
What you will learn
- The role of Area 0 (the backbone) and why every area must touch it
- What an Area Border Router (ABR) is and how to identify one
- Inter-area routes - the
O IAroute code - Summary LSAs (Type 3) - how the ABR advertises routes between areas
- External routes (Type 5) - how an ASBR redistributes static into OSPF
What this lab does NOT cover
- Stub areas, totally stubby areas, and NSSAs
- Manual route summarization at the ABR
- OSPF authentication - covered in ipc-08
Topology
Download the OSPF Reference Lab .yaml
The PingLabz OSPF Reference Lab - 4 iol-xe routers across Area 0 (broadcast LAN) and Area 30 (P2P). R1 is ASBR, R2 is ABR + DR, R3 is BDR, R4 is internal Area 30.
