RFC 3623 (rfc3623) - Page 1 of 18

Graceful OSPF Restart

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Network Working Group                                             J. Moy
Request for Comments: 3623                             Sycamore Networks
Category: Standards Track                              P. Pillay-Esnault
                                                        Juniper Networks
                                                               A. Lindem
                                                        Redback Networks
                                                           November 2003


                         Graceful OSPF Restart

Status of this Memo

   This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
   Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
   Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
   and status of this protocol.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2003).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   This memo documents an enhancement to the OSPF routing protocol,
   whereby an OSPF router can stay on the forwarding path even as its
   OSPF software is restarted.  This is called "graceful restart" or
   "non-stop forwarding".  A restarting router may not be capable of
   adjusting its forwarding in a timely manner when the network topology
   changes.  In order to avoid the possible resulting routing loops, the
   procedure in this memo automatically reverts to a normal OSPF restart
   when such a topology change is detected, or when one or more of the
   restarting router's neighbors do not support the enhancements in this
   memo.  Proper network operation during a graceful restart makes
   assumptions upon the operating environment of the restarting router;
   these assumptions are also documented.














Moy, et al.                 Standards Track
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