Overview

A link failure in the backbone area may result in a discontinuous backbone. In such a case, Virtual-link can be used to configure the backbone area to be continuous.

Network Diagram

Figure OSPF Discontinuous Backbone Network Diagram
Figure OSPF Discontinuous Backbone Network Diagram


Configuration Condition

  • If R1 E0/2 is administratively shut down, communication between 10.1.3.0/24 and 10.1.4.0/24 will not be possible. Perform the necessary configurations so that communication between 10.1.3.0/24 and 10.1.4.0/24 will be possible even if R1 E0/2 is shut down.

Verification Condition

  • Communication between 10.1.3.0/24 and 10.1.4.0/24 is possible even if R1 E0/2 is shut down.

Initial Configuration

The following configurations are assumed to be already configured.

  • Hostname
  • IP Address
  • OSPF
    • Router ID
    • Each router interface has OSPF enabled and belongs to an area as shown in the network diagram.

Configuration

Step1: Verifying the routing table under normal conditions

Verify the routing table under normal conditions on each router of R1 to R4.

R1 show ip route

R1#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
C       172.16.12.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
C       172.16.1.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0
O       172.16.2.0/24 [110/20] via 172.16.12.2, 00:08:29, Ethernet0/1
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 5 subnets, 2 masks
C       10.1.13.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/3
C       10.1.12.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/2
O       10.1.3.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.13.2, 00:06:00, Ethernet0/3
O       10.1.4.0/24 [110/30] via 10.1.12.2, 00:06:00, Ethernet0/2
O       10.1.24.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.12.2, 00:06:00, Ethernet0/2

R2 show ip route

R2#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
C       172.16.12.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
O       172.16.1.0/24 [110/20] via 172.16.12.1, 00:08:59, Ethernet0/1
C       172.16.2.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 5 subnets, 2 masks
O       10.1.13.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.12.1, 00:06:49, Ethernet0/2
C       10.1.12.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/2
O       10.1.3.0/24 [110/30] via 10.1.12.1, 00:06:49, Ethernet0/2
O       10.1.4.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.24.2, 00:06:49, Ethernet0/3
C       10.1.24.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/3

R3 show ip route

R3#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
O IA    172.16.12.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.13.1, 00:07:23, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.1.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.13.1, 00:07:23, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.2.0/24 [110/30] via 10.1.13.1, 00:07:23, Ethernet0/0
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 5 subnets, 2 masks
C       10.1.13.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0
O       10.1.12.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.13.1, 00:07:23, Ethernet0/0
C       10.1.3.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
O       10.1.4.0/24 [110/40] via 10.1.13.1, 00:07:23, Ethernet0/0
O       10.1.24.0/30 [110/30] via 10.1.13.1, 00:07:23, Ethernet0/0

R4 show ip route

R4#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
O IA    172.16.12.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.24.1, 00:08:00, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.1.0/24 [110/30] via 10.1.24.1, 00:08:00, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.2.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.24.1, 00:08:00, Ethernet0/0
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 5 subnets, 2 masks
O       10.1.13.0/30 [110/30] via 10.1.24.1, 00:08:00, Ethernet0/0
O       10.1.12.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.24.1, 00:08:00, Ethernet0/0
O       10.1.3.0/24 [110/40] via 10.1.24.1, 00:08:00, Ethernet0/0
C       10.1.4.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
C       10.1.24.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0

Step2: Shutdown of R1 E0/2

Shut down R1 E0/2 and investigate the cause of the failure of communication between 10.1.3.0/24 and 10.1.4.0/24.

R1

interface Ethernet0/2
 shutdown

Step3: Verifying the routing table during R1 E0/2 shutdown

Verify the routing table of each router when R1 E0/2 is shut down.

R1 show ip route

R1#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
C       172.16.12.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
C       172.16.1.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0
O       172.16.2.0/24 [110/20] via 172.16.12.2, 00:12:55, Ethernet0/1
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
C       10.1.13.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/3
O       10.1.3.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.13.2, 00:00:06, Ethernet0/3

R2 show ip route

R2#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
C       172.16.12.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
O       172.16.1.0/24 [110/20] via 172.16.12.1, 00:15:10, Ethernet0/1
C       172.16.2.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
C       10.1.12.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/2
O       10.1.4.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.24.2, 00:01:58, Ethernet0/3
C       10.1.24.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/3

R3 show ip route

R3#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
O IA    172.16.12.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.13.1, 00:00:49, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.1.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.13.1, 00:00:49, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.2.0/24 [110/30] via 10.1.13.1, 00:00:49, Ethernet0/0
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
C       10.1.13.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0
C       10.1.3.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1

R4 show ip route

R4#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
O IA    172.16.12.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.24.1, 00:02:42, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.1.0/24 [110/30] via 10.1.24.1, 00:02:42, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.2.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.24.1, 00:02:42, Ethernet0/0
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
O       10.1.12.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.24.1, 00:02:42, Ethernet0/0
C       10.1.4.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
C       10.1.24.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0

When R1 E0/2 is shut down, Area 0 becomes discontinuous. As a result, routes in the discontiguous backbone area will not be registered in the routing table. For example, the following routes that existed under normal conditions will no longer exist in the routing table of R1.

  • 10.1.24.0/30
  • 10.1.4.0/24

If the route does not exist in the routing table, of course routing will not be possible.

Figure Discontinuous backbone
Figure Discontinuous backbone


Step4: Configuring Virtual-Link

To resolve the discontinuous backbone, configure virtual-link between R1 and R2.

R1

router ospf 1
 area 12 virtual-link 2.2.2.2

R2

router ospf 1
 area 12 virtual-link 1.1.1.1

Step5: Verify Virtual-Link.

Use the show ip ospf virtual-links command to verify virtual-link between R1 and R2.

R1 show ip ospf virtual-links

R1#show ip ospf virtual-links 
Virtual Link OSPF_VL0 to router 2.2.2.2 is up
  Run as demand circuit
  DoNotAge LSA allowed.
  Transit area 12, via interface Ethernet0/1, Cost of using 10
  Transmit Delay is 1 sec, State POINT_TO_POINT,
  Timer intervals configured, Hello 10, Dead 40, Wait 40, Retransmit 5
    Hello due in 00:00:08
    Adjacency State FULL (Hello suppressed)
    Index 1/2, retransmission queue length 0, number of retransmission 0
    First 0x0(0)/0x0(0) Next 0x0(0)/0x0(0)
    Last retransmission scan length is 0, maximum is 0
    Last retransmission scan time is 0 msec, maximum is 0 msec

R2 show ip ospf virtual-links

R2#show ip ospf virtual-links 
Virtual Link OSPF_VL0 to router 1.1.1.1 is up
  Run as demand circuit
  DoNotAge LSA allowed.
  Transit area 12, via interface Ethernet0/1, Cost of using 10
  Transmit Delay is 1 sec, State POINT_TO_POINT,
  Timer intervals configured, Hello 10, Dead 40, Wait 40, Retransmit 5
    Hello due in 00:00:08
    Adjacency State FULL (Hello suppressed)
    Index 1/2, retransmission queue length 0, number of retransmission 0
    First 0x0(0)/0x0(0) Next 0x0(0)/0x0(0)
    Last retransmission scan length is 0, maximum is 0
    Last retransmission scan time is 0 msec, maximum is 0 msec

Step6: Verifying the routing table when Virtual-Link is configured

Verify the routing table of each router after configuring virtual-link between R1 and R2.

R1 show ip route

R1#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
C       172.16.12.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
C       172.16.1.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0
O       172.16.2.0/24 [110/20] via 172.16.12.2, 00:05:23, Ethernet0/1
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 5 subnets, 2 masks
C       10.1.13.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/3
O       10.1.12.0/30 [110/20] via 172.16.12.2, 00:05:23, Ethernet0/1
O       10.1.3.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.13.2, 00:05:23, Ethernet0/3
O       10.1.4.0/24 [110/30] via 172.16.12.2, 00:05:23, Ethernet0/1
O       10.1.24.0/30 [110/20] via 172.16.12.2, 00:05:23, Ethernet0/1

R2 show ip route

R2#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
C       172.16.12.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
O       172.16.1.0/24 [110/20] via 172.16.12.1, 00:05:47, Ethernet0/1
C       172.16.2.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 5 subnets, 2 masks
O       10.1.13.0/30 [110/20] via 172.16.12.1, 00:05:47, Ethernet0/1
C       10.1.12.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/2
O       10.1.3.0/24 [110/30] via 172.16.12.1, 00:05:47, Ethernet0/1
O       10.1.4.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.24.2, 00:05:47, Ethernet0/3
C       10.1.24.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/3

R3 show ip route

R3#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
O IA    172.16.12.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.13.1, 00:06:14, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.1.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.13.1, 00:06:14, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.2.0/24 [110/30] via 10.1.13.1, 00:06:14, Ethernet0/0
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 5 subnets, 2 masks
C       10.1.13.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0
O       10.1.12.0/30 [110/30] via 10.1.13.1, 00:06:14, Ethernet0/0
C       10.1.3.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
O       10.1.4.0/24 [110/40] via 10.1.13.1, 00:06:14, Ethernet0/0
O       10.1.24.0/30 [110/30] via 10.1.13.1, 00:06:14, Ethernet0/0

R4 show ip route

R4#show ip route 
-- omitted --

Gateway of last resort is not set

     172.16.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 3 subnets, 2 masks
O IA    172.16.12.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.24.1, 00:06:41, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.1.0/24 [110/30] via 10.1.24.1, 00:06:41, Ethernet0/0
O IA    172.16.2.0/24 [110/20] via 10.1.24.1, 00:06:41, Ethernet0/0
     10.0.0.0/8 is variably subnetted, 5 subnets, 2 masks
O       10.1.13.0/30 [110/30] via 10.1.24.1, 00:06:41, Ethernet0/0
O       10.1.12.0/30 [110/20] via 10.1.24.1, 00:06:41, Ethernet0/0
O       10.1.3.0/24 [110/40] via 10.1.24.1, 00:06:41, Ethernet0/0
C       10.1.4.0/24 is directly connected, Ethernet0/1
C       10.1.24.0/30 is directly connected, Ethernet0/0

By configuring Virtual-link between R1 and R2, the discontinuous backbone has been resolved. Therefore, you can see that the route information for the communication between R3 and R4 is also properly registered.

Final configuration excerpt

The followings are excerpts from the OSPF-related configuration of each router.

R1

hostname R1
!
interface Ethernet0/0
 ip address 172.16.1.1 255.255.255.0
!
interface Ethernet0/1
 ip address 172.16.12.1 255.255.255.252
!         
interface Ethernet0/2
 ip address 10.1.12.1 255.255.255.252
 shutdown
!
interface Ethernet0/3
 ip address 10.1.13.1 255.255.255.252
!
router ospf 1
 router-id 1.1.1.1
 log-adjacency-changes
 area 12 virtual-link 2.2.2.2
 network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255 area 0
 network 172.16.0.0 0.0.255.255 area 12

R2

hostname R2
!
interface Ethernet0/0
 ip address 172.16.2.2 255.255.255.0
!
interface Ethernet0/1
 ip address 172.16.12.2 255.255.255.252
!         
interface Ethernet0/2
 ip address 10.1.12.2 255.255.255.252
!
interface Ethernet0/3
 ip address 10.1.24.1 255.255.255.252
!
router ospf 1
 router-id 2.2.2.2
 log-adjacency-changes
 area 12 virtual-link 1.1.1.1
 network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255 area 0
 network 172.16.0.0 0.0.255.255 area 12

R3

hostname R3
!
interface Ethernet0/0
 ip address 10.1.13.2 255.255.255.252
!
interface Ethernet0/1
 ip address 10.1.3.3 255.255.255.0
!         
router ospf 1
 router-id 3.3.3.3
 log-adjacency-changes
 network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255 area 0

R4

hostname R4
!
interface Ethernet0/0
 ip address 10.1.24.2 255.255.255.252
!
interface Ethernet0/1
 ip address 10.1.4.4 255.255.255.0
!         
router ospf 1
 router-id 4.4.4.4
 log-adjacency-changes
 network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255 area 0

How the OSPF works