Link State Database

Upon initialization, each router transmits a link state advertisement (LSA) on each of its interfaces. LSAs are collected by each router and stored into the LSDB of each router. After all LSAs are received, the router uses the link state database (LSDB) to calculate the best routes for use in the IP routing table. OSPFv3 uses flooding to distribute LSAs between routers.

Any change in routing information is sent to all of the routers in the network. All routers within an area have the exact same LSDB.

The following table describes LSA type numbers.

Table 1. Selected OSPFv3 LSA Types
Type Number Description

0x0008

Link LSA

0x2001

Router LSA

0x2002

Network LSA

0x2003

Inter-Area-Prefix LSA

0x2004

Inter-Area-Router LSA

0x2009

Intra-Area-Prefix LSA

0x4005

AS external LSA