The animated TECHTip Tutorial is available here.

In order to make this complicated subject a little, here’s a review.

Each of these concepts is explained in detail NEXT.

There are 5 Message Types (Note: Each OSPF [Open Shortest Path First] message is a different message length-format-function):

1. Router Link Entry: Used within different areas and contains all link-state information

2. Network Entry: Advertisements multicast to all area routers by the DR [Designated Router] with area-specific information
3. Summary Entry: Contact router advertisements for internal areas and backbone routers
4. Summary Entry: Advertisements about ASBR [Autonomous System Boundary Router] and multicast to all ABR [Area Border Router(s)] and backbone routers
5. Autonomous System Entry: Advertisements from ASBR with information about external networks

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[tags]ospf,open shortest path first,router link entry,network entry,summary entry,autonomous system entry[/tags]