OSPF Network Design Solutions, Second Edition

RFC 1765: OSPF Database Overflow

This RFC deals with an undesirable occurrence known as OSPF Database Overflow. For OSPF to operate properly, a complete link-state database must be within each OSPF router in an area. The condition known as a database overflow occurs when the link-state database becomes too large for the router to handle. This RFC allows for the handling of unanticipated database overflows and gives some recommendations on how to configure your network if you anticipate database overflow.

One way of handling database overflow is to encase routers having limited resources within OSPF stub areas or NSSAs. AS-external-LSAs are omitted from these areas’ link-state databases, thereby controlling database size.

However, unexpected database ...