What is the primary purpose of OSPF?

The primary purpose of OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is to provide dynamic routing based on link states. OSPF is a link-state routing protocol that operates by maintaining a database of the network topology, which allows routers to compute the shortest path to each destination within an autonomous system using Dijkstra's algorithm. This method of routing is efficient in that it allows OSPF to quickly adapt to changes in the network topology, such as failed links or newly added routers, ensuring optimal routing paths.

By utilizing link-state information, OSPF enables routers to communicate their status and share updates with other routers in the network, effectively creating a complete picture of the network for all routers involved. This dynamic approach enhances network reliability and performance compared to static routing, which does not adjust to changes automatically and can lead to suboptimal routing choices.

The other choices, such as providing static routing capabilities, managing packet filtering, or establishing VPN connections, do not align with the core functionality of OSPF. Static routing involves manually configuring route paths, packet filtering pertains to security measures, and VPN connections deal with tunneling and encryption, none of which are the primary functions of OSPF.