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Status:

PROPOSED STANDARD

Obsoletes:

RFC 2740

Updated by:

RFC 6845,RFC 6860,RFC 7503,RFC 8362,RFC 9454

Authors:

R. Coltun
D. Ferguson
J. Moy
A. Lindem

Stream:

IETF

Source:

ospf (rtg)

Cite this RFC:TXT  | XML  |  BibTeX

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.17487/RFC5340

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Abstract

This document describes the modifications to OSPF to support version6 of the Internet Protocol (IPv6). The fundamental mechanisms ofOSPF (flooding, Designated Router (DR) election, area support, ShortPath First (SPF) calculations, etc.) remain unchanged. However, somechanges have been necessary, either due to changes in protocolsemantics between IPv4 and IPv6, or simply to handle the increasedaddress size of IPv6. These modifications will necessitateincrementing the protocol version from version 2 to version 3. OSPFfor IPv6 is also referred to as OSPF version 3 (OSPFv3).

Changes between OSPF for IPv4, OSPF Version 2, and OSPF for IPv6 asdescribed herein include the following. Addressing semantics havebeen removed from OSPF packets and the basic Link StateAdvertisements (LSAs). New LSAs have been created to carry IPv6addresses and prefixes. OSPF now runs on a per-link basis ratherthan on a per-IP-subnet basis. Flooding scope for LSAs has beengeneralized. Authentication has been removed from the OSPF protocoland instead relies on IPv6's Authentication Header and EncapsulatingSecurity Payload (ESP).

Even with larger IPv6 addresses, most packets in OSPF for IPv6 arealmost as compact as those in OSPF for IPv4. Most fields and packet-size limitations present in OSPF for IPv4 have been relaxed. Inaddition, option handling has been made more flexible.

All of OSPF for IPv4's optional capabilities, including demandcircuit support and Not-So-Stubby Areas (NSSAs), are also supportedin OSPF for IPv6. [STANDARDS-TRACK]

For the definition ofStatus,seeRFC 2026.

For the definition ofStream, seeRFC 8729.