Single Area OSPF - Mikrotik RouterOS 7 (for beginners)

Introduction

This tutorial aims to guide you through the basics of configuring OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) on MikroTik RouterOS 7. OSPF is a widely used routing protocol for internal networks, making it essential for network management. By following this step-by-step guide, you'll learn how to set up a single area OSPF topology, covering key concepts like router IDs, OSPF instances, and default route redistribution.

Step 1: Understand OSPF Basics

• Purpose of OSPF: OSPF is used to find the best path for data exchange within an internal network. It uses link-state routing to provide fast convergence and efficient routing.
• Key Terms:
  • Router ID: A unique identifier for each router in the OSPF network.
  • Area: A logical grouping of routers that share the same routing information.
  • Hello Messages: Packets sent to discover and maintain neighbor relationships.

Step 2: Prepare the Lab Environment

• Network Diagram: Download the network diagram for reference from this link.
• Devices: Ensure you have the following routers configured:
  • R-1
  • R-2
  • R-3
  • R-4

Step 3: Configure R-1

1. Access Router: Log into R-1 via Winbox or SSH.
2. Set Router ID:

   /routing ospf instance set default router-id=1.1.1.1
   

3. Add OSPF Area:

   /routing ospf area add name=backbone area-id=0.0.0.0
   

4. Configure Interfaces:
   • Identify interfaces connected to other routers.
   • Use the following command to enable OSPF on the interface:

   /routing ospf interface add interface=<interface_name> network-type=broadcast
   

Step 4: Configure R-2

1. Access Router: Log into R-2.
2. Set Router ID:

   /routing ospf instance set default router-id=2.2.2.2
   

3. Add OSPF Area:

   /routing ospf area add name=backbone area-id=0.0.0.0
   

4. Configure Interfaces similar to R-1.

Step 5: Configure R-3

1. Access Router: Log into R-3.
2. Set Router ID:

   /routing ospf instance set default router-id=3.3.3.3
   

3. Add OSPF Area:

   /routing ospf area add name=backbone area-id=0.0.0.0
   

4. Configure Interfaces as done for R-1 and R-2.

Step 6: Configure R-4

1. Access Router: Log into R-4.
2. Set Router ID:

   /routing ospf instance set default router-id=4.4.4.4
   

3. Add OSPF Area:

   /routing ospf area add name=backbone area-id=0.0.0.0
   

4. Configure Interfaces similarly to the previous routers.

Step 7: Analyze Hello Packets

• Use Wireshark to capture and analyze OSPF hello packets.
• Look for packet details like:
  • Router IDs
  • Network masks
  • Hello interval and dead interval

Step 8: Configure Timers

• Ensure all routers have matching OSPF timers to avoid issues.
• Example command to set timers:

  /routing ospf interface set <interface_name> hello-interval=10 dead-interval=40
  

Step 9: Redistribute Default Route

• If you need to share the default route, configure redistribution:

  /routing ospf network add network=0.0.0.0/0 area=backbone
  

Conclusion

You have now set up a basic OSPF configuration on MikroTik RouterOS 7. Key takeaways include understanding router IDs, configuring OSPF areas, and ensuring timer consistency. For further exploration, consider experimenting with more complex OSPF configurations or diving deeper into routing protocols.