Summary
OSPF is a scalable, standards-based link-state routing protocol. OSPF's benefits include no hop-count limitation, the capability to multicast routing updates, faster convergence rates, and optimal path selection. The basic steps for OSPF operation are as follows:
  1. Establish router adjacencies
  2. Select a designated router and a backup designated router
  3. Discover routes
  4. Select appropriate routes to use
  5. Maintain routing information

In the next chapter, you will learn how to connect multiple OSPF areas in order to support a larger hierarchical routing environment.