In Cisco switches, when there is an OSPF Stub Area Misconfiguration and OSPF stub areas are incorrectly configured, you may receive the following type of log message:

%OSPF-5-ADJCHG: Process <Process_ID>, Nbr <Neighbor_IP> on <Interface> from FULL to DOWN, OSPF Stub Area Misconfiguration

Explanation of the log message:

  • %OSPF-5-ADJCHG: This log message indicates an OSPF adjacency change.
  • Process <Process_ID>: The log message includes the OSPF process ID for the specific OSPF instance running on the Cisco switch.
  • Nbr <Neighbor_IP>: This part shows the IP address of the OSPF neighbor with whom the adjacency has changed.
  • on <Interface>: The log message specifies the name of the interface where the OSPF adjacency change occurred.
  • from FULL to DOWN: This section indicates that the OSPF adjacency transitioned from the FULL state (active adjacency) to the DOWN state (inactive adjacency).
  • OSPF Stub Area Misconfiguration: The last part of the log message highlights that the issue is related to incorrectly configured OSPF stub areas, leading to neighbor adjacency failures.

The log message serves as a notification to network administrators that an OSPF Stub Area Misconfiguration may be causing OSPF neighbor adjacency failures. Incorrectly configured OSPF stub areas can disrupt OSPF routing operations and impact network connectivity. Network administrators should address the OSPF Stub Area Misconfiguration to ensure proper stub area settings and stable OSPF routing within the network.

Solution / Configuration:

when OSPF stub areas are incorrectly configured, it can lead to neighbor adjacency failures, disrupting OSPF routing operations and impacting network connectivity. In this article, we will explore the challenges of OSPF Stub Area Misconfiguration and provide a step-by-step solution using commands to rectify the issue on Cisco devices, ensuring stable neighbor adjacencies.

Understanding OSPF Stub Area Misconfiguration: OSPF allows the use of stub areas to optimize routing information and reduce the size of the routing table. Incorrectly configured stub areas can prevent OSPF routers from establishing neighbor adjacencies, leading to communication breakdown and routing inconsistencies.

Solution for Resolving OSPF Stub Area Misconfiguration:

Step 1: Verify OSPF Stub Area Configuration: Check the OSPF stub area configuration on each router within the network. Use the following command on each router:

show ip ospf

Step 2: Identify the Misconfigured Stub Areas: Identify the routers with incorrectly configured OSPF stub areas from the output of the previous command. Make a note of the conflicting stub area settings and the corresponding router interfaces.

Step 3: Correct Stub Area Configuration: Choose the appropriate stub area type for each router based on network requirements. Use the following command on each router to configure the stub area:

router ospf <Process_ID>
area <Stub_Area_ID> stub

Replace <Process_ID> with the OSPF process ID, and <Stub_Area_ID> with the ID of the stub area that requires correction.

Step 4: Clear OSPF Process: Clear the OSPF process on each router to apply the changes and allow OSPF routers to re-establish neighbor adjacencies with the corrected stub area configuration:

clear ip ospf process

Conclusion: Resolving OSPF Stub Area Misconfiguration is essential for stable neighbor adjacencies and seamless OSPF routing within the network. By following the step-by-step solution provided in this article and using the correct commands on Cisco devices, network administrators can quickly identify and rectify the misconfigured stub areas. Configuring the appropriate stub area type based on network requirements will optimize OSPF routing information and contribute to efficient routing table management. Regular monitoring and proactive management of OSPF stub area configurations will contribute to a robust OSPF network infrastructure, ensuring optimal network performance and reliable data exchange.

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