OSPF

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Consecutive SPF Calculations

N

To enhance the convergence time of an OSPF network during a time of topology changes, the
Junos OS by default allows for the SPF calculation to be run three times in a back-to-back fashion
R

before encountering a mandatory hold-down period. The 5-second hold-down timer used to be
hardcoded into the software but is now configurable. The timer ensures that the network can
TE

continue to forward packets, with potentially incorrect routing knowledge, during the convergence
period. The timer also allows the routing process (rpd) to not consume excessive CPU resources at
the expense of other router functions.

Preconfigured Delay Between Calculations

IN

A configurable timer slightly delays consecutive SPF calculations. The default timer value is
200 milliseconds (ms); you can alter it with the spf-options delay statement. The
spf-options delay statement is supported both at the global OSPF configuration hierarchy and
within an OSPF routing instance. Delay values ranging from 50 ms to 1000 ms (1 second) are
supported.
Regardless of the configuration of this timer, the mandatory 5-second hold-down timer still starts
after the third consecutive rapid SPF calculation.
A current best practice in today’s networking environment is setting the delay value to be slightly
larger than the worst possible propagation delay found in your network. For example, if the delay
across the network is 200 ms, you might set the delay to 250 ms. This setting allows time for all of
the duplicate LSAs to arrive at all routers before the SPF calculation is performed.

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