What happens during the OSPF network discovery process?

During the OSPF network discovery process, routers send out hello packets to discover their neighboring routers. This is a crucial first step in the OSPF protocol because it allows routers to identify other OSPF routers on the same link or network segment.

When a router sends a hello packet, it contains information such as the router's ID, its hello and dead timers, and a list of its known neighbors. Routers that receive the hello packet can respond with their own hello packets, establishing a bi-directional communication path. This process helps to form OSPF adjacencies, which are necessary for the subsequent exchange of routing information.

By discovering neighbors through hello packets, routers can build a neighbor table, which is important for maintaining accurate routing information and ensuring reliable communication within an OSPF area. This initial neighbor discovery phase sets the foundation for later stages, such as exchanging link-state advertisements (LSAs) and updating routing tables.