How to configure OSPF Totally Stub Area

In the first lesson, I gave an overview of the different OSPF special area types. I also covered the OSPF stub area, and now it’s time to demonstrate the totally stub area.  This is the network topology that we will use:

ospf stub area

Above, you see two areas, 0 and 1. This is the configuration that we will use:

R1(config)#router ospf 1
R1(config-router)#network 192.168.12.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
R1(config-router)#redistribute connected subnets
R2(config)#router ospf 1
R2(config-router)#network 192.168.12.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
R2(config-router)#network 192.168.23.0 0.0.0.255 area 1
R3(config)#router ospf 1
R3(config-router)#network 192.168.23.0 0.0.0.255 area 1

All the networks are advertised in the correct OSPF areas except for the loopback0 interface on R1. We will redistribute it, so it becomes an LSA type 5. Let’s take a look at the routing table of R3:

R3#show ip route ospf 
O IA 192.168.12.0/24 [110/2] via 192.168.23.2, 00:08:53, FastEthernet0/0
     1.0.0.0/24 is subnetted, 1 subnets
O E2    1.1.1.0 [110/20] via 192.168.23.2, 00:01:16, FastEthernet0/0

Above, you see network 192.168.12.0 /24 (LSA Type 3) and 1.1.1.0 /24 (LSA Type 5). Let’s change the area to the “normal” stub area first:

R2(config)#router ospf 1
R2(config-router)#area 1 stub
R3(config)#router ospf 1
R3(config-router)#area 1 stub

This is how you change it into a stub area. Now let’s see what has changed:

R3#show ip route ospf 
O IA 192.168.12.0/24 [110/2] via 192.168.23.2, 00:00:42, FastEthernet0/0
O*IA 0.0.0.0/0 [110/2] via 192.168.23.2, 00:00:42, FastEthernet0/0

The stub area blocks LSA type 5, so you no longer see network 1.1.1.0 /24. However, it creates a default route so that we can get out of the area.

What about the totally stub area? Let me show you!

R2(config)#router ospf 1
R2(config-router)#area 1 stub no-summary

You only have to configure this on the ABR. We don’t have to make any changes to R3.

You only have to use “stub no-summary” on the ABR. All other routers in the totally stub area only require the “stub” command.

R3#show ip route ospf 
O*IA 0.0.0.0/0 [110/2] via 192.168.23.2, 00:02:27, FastEthernet0/0

Now we only have a default route. LSA Type 3 and 5 are both blocked.

  • Configurations
  • R2
  • R1
  • R3

Unit 1: Introduction to OSPF

Unit 2: OSPF Neighbor Adjacency

Unit 3: OSPF Network Types

Unit 4: OSPF Stub Areas

Unit 5: Advanced OSPF Topics