Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) are the two most commonly used dynamic routing protocols.
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each protocol?
2. What routing metrics does each protocol use for making routing decisions?
Sample Answer
Choosing between OSPF and BGP depends entirely on the scope of the network. OSPF is designed to manage traffic inside an organization, while BGP is designed to manage traffic between organizations.
1. Advantages and Disadvantages
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
OSPF is an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) based on the Link-State algorithm. It is used within a single Autonomous System (AS)
Advantages:
Fast Convergence: OSPF reacts quickly to topology changes, updating routing tables almost instantly.
Efficiency: It uses "areas" to segment the network, preventing a single link failure from forcing every router in a large network to recalculate the entire map.
Loop-Free: Because every router maintains a complete map of the area (Link-State Database), loops are easily avoided.
Disadvantages:
Resource Intensive: Calculating the Shortest Path First (SPF) algorithm requires significant CPU and memory, especially as the database grows.
Complex Configuration: Designing OSPF areas (Area 0, stub areas, etc.) requires careful planning to ensure scalability.