Network Ninja

I’m using a Simulator and sometimes output differs from what it should be (which is happening more and more often). Make the best out of the explanations when things differ (I’ve used verbatim examples where the simulator just came up blank with output).

All the below is to test if OSPF is functioning properly and has been configured correctly.

Base the output (for examples that worked) on the show commands on the below OSPF Configuration.

Working from a functional configuration on a single router, Router_1 will be the DR on Fe1/0 unless another device on that segment has a priority greater than 100. The link attached to Fe1/0 has a cost of 1. The cost on Fe2/0 has been changed to 10.

The Config

Router_1(config)#router ospf 100
Router_1(config-router)#network 192.168.0.0 0.0.255.255 area 3
Router_1(config-router)#exit
Router_1(config)#interface Ethernet 0/0
Router_1(config-if)#ip address 192.168.16.1 255.255.255.240
Router_1(config-if)#ip ospf priority 100
Router_1(config-if)#exit
Router_1(config)#interface Ethernet 0/1
Router_1(config-if)#ip address 192.168.16.15 255.255.255.240
Router_1(config-if)#ip ospf priority 20
Router_1(config-if)#exit
Router_1(config)#interface Ethernet 0/2
Router_1(config-if)#ip address 192.168.16.30 255.255.255.240
Router_1(config-if)#ip ospf priority 15
Router_1(config-if)#exit
Router_1(config)#interface Ethernet 0/3
Router_1(config-if)#ip address 192.168.16.17 255.255.255.240
Router_1(config-if)#ip ospf cost 10


Checking the Configuration

As we’ve been through before in previous posts, the show commands are detailed and comprehensive views on the health and status of the network and hardware (there are a gazillion of them and the detail can be overwhelming same with debug commands). To understand the output from the show commands read-on.

The show-ip ospf Command

The show-ip ospf command shows how OSPF is running on a given router.  Output includes the number of times that the SPF routing algorithm has run (indicates the stability of the network). From the previous posts the SPF routing Algorithm runs when there is “instability” on the network (the higher the number of “recalculations” the less stable the network).

Router_2#show ip ospf [process-id]

Output

Explanation

The show ip ospf Database Command

The show ip ospf database command when issued will display the contents of the routers topological database and the different Link State Advertisements (LSAs) that have populated the database (Internal Routers will only display router and network LSAs).

Router_2#show ip ospf database

Output

Explanation

Show ip ospf interface Command

The show ip ospf interface command shows how OSPF has been configured and how it is working on an interface. This level of detail is excellent to troubleshoot config errors.

Router_2#show ip ospf interface [type number]

The command shows information such as the Designated Router (DR) and Backup Designated Router (BDR), a list of neighbours, and the network type.

Output

Explanation

There are some things that don’t come up once again on my output. This would be because I am using a simulator when studying and not “real” kit. You can’t really expect the lab to do “Everything” you want but it does a good job of giving you the basic ideas. Use your imagination.

From here on in things are verbatim from the book. The deviations on the Simulator is so GREAT from what it should be (a.k.a a blank output) that I really can’t study from that).

Show ip ospf neighbour Command

The show ip ospf neighbour command shows OSPF neighbours (known neighbours can be viewed using this command).

Router_2#show ip ospf neighbor

Output

The command can be made more granular and the neighbours can be viewed in a per-interface method

The command can once again be expanded further to show a deep-dive per interface view in as much detail as possible. Use the command displayed below.

Router_2#show ip ospf neighbor {type number} {neighbour id} [detail]

Output

Explanation

Show ip protocols Command

The show ip protocols command shows the configuration of IP routing protocols configured on the router. The command brings up how protocols were configured and how they interact with one another (updates, interactions, etc). Great for troubleshooting configuration errors and understanding how the network is communicating about routes

Router_2#show ip protocols

Output

Explanation

Show ip route Command

The show ip route command shows the IP routing table on the router. This particular command shows how the network is known to the router and how the router discovered routes. Most of us know about this one and would have used it many times before. I know I have.

Router_2#show ip route

Debug Commands

A rather dangerous command is debug (this is because it can make a router totally freak out). This is due to the fact that the debug command has the highest process priority and can consume all resources on the router causing the router to freeze up and need a power cycle.

Good practice would be to turn on debug commands for a specific function and then turn off that debug command as soon as the needed information has been gathered.

To turn of all debug commands that could be active on the router:

Router_2#no debug all

The particular commands with relevance to OSPF:

Router_2#debug ip ospf events

This command displays information about OSPF-related events, such as adjacency, flooding information, designated router selection, and SPF calculation.

Router_2#debug ip packet

This command is IP debugging and includes packets received, generated, and forwarded. Fast-Switched packets do not generate messages.

If I added some value to your Cisco Experience with this post please add some value to my studies and leave a comment, question, suggestion, note of thanks or encouragement for me to hurry up and complete my certifications. My reasoning for wanting some interaction is that the last Recruiter said I need CCNP, Juniper and a Specialization track. The LOOOOONG Road to Cisco Indeed. Thanks Deon

Notes and Notices: This is a part of my personal BSCI notes and research to assist myself in learning and understanding the concepts and theory for the BSCI exam. I learn by making notes reading and writing things down and wish to file them where I cannot lose them. These notes are not to be seen, judged or mistaken for replacements to Cisco recognized and authorized training which I personally support and attend and suggest you undertake if you are going for the BSCI Certification.