OSPF Network Design Solutions, Second Edition

OSPF Network Scalability

Your ability to scale an OSPF internetwork depends on your overall network structure and IP addressing scheme. Adopting a hierarchical network design with a structured address assignment (that is, using summarization whenever possible) is the most important factor in determining the overall scalability of your OSPF network. Network scalability is affected by both operational and technical considerations.

Operationally, OSPF networks should be designed so that areas do not need to be split to accommodate predicted and unpredicted growth. Networks will most likely not shrink in size, so plan accordingly. Specifically, reserve IP address space to permit the addition of new routers and areas.

Scalability should always be ...