OSPF practice labs — Page 2

OSPF Network Types: DR/BDR, Broadcast vs P2P

Hands-on CCNP OSPF lab comparing broadcast and point-to-point network types. Three routers share a multi-access Ethernet via an access switch to observe DR/BDR election, manipulate interface priorities, and then convert to point-to-point. Includes a user LAN behind R1 and realistic troubleshooting: neighbor stuck in 2-Way due to type mismatch, area mismatch isolating a router, and incorrect interface priority preventing desired DR/BDR roles.

CCNA & CCNP85 min6 objectives

OSPFv2 Multi-Area with ABR Summarization (Redundant Core)

Deploy a 5-node OSPFv2 lab featuring a redundant area 0 triangle (R1–R2–R3) and an ABR (R3) connecting to area 1 with branch networks on R4. A client on R1’s area 0 LAN validates reachability to branch loopback networks summarized by the ABR. You will set explicit router-ids from Loopback0, use passive-interface default, advertise R4’s loopbacks as /24s using ip ospf network point-to-point, and summarize area 1 into a /23 on the ABR. Verify FULL adjacencies, a single O IA summary on R1, and end-to-end connectivity. Troubleshoot an introduced area mismatch and interface/addressing issues.

CCNA & CCNP80 min7 objectives

CCNA Static Routes: Manual Summarization

Hands-on CCNA static routing and manual summarization lab using a compact HQ–Branch–Remote topology. You will replace three specific static routes to Branch networks with a single /22 summary at HQ, verify end-to-end host reachability, observe the routing table reduction, and prevent over-aggregation loops by adding a Null0 discard route at Branch. A recommended step has you add the same /22 summary at Remote (replacing its default) to practice summarization on both sides.

CCNA55 min6 objectives

OSPF Stub vs Totally-Stubby: Fault & Recovery

Deploy a compact enterprise multi-area OSPF with a backbone (area 0) and one branch area (area 10). You will configure area 10 as a stub, then transition it to a totally-stubby area from the ABR, validate reduced LSDB and routing tables, and simulate an operational fault (area mismatch) to diagnose adjacency loss and restore full transit. The lab uses three routers and two hosts to verify end-to-end reachability and real-world outcomes.

CCNA & CCNP75 min4 objectives

OSPF Cost & Path Selection: Deterministic Control (3 Routers)

Build a 3-router triangle with two end-to-end paths between Branch A and the Data Center. Stand up OSPF area 0, create an ECMP condition, then intentionally steer traffic using ip ospf cost. Verify from the end hosts and troubleshoot common OSPF control-plane mismatches.

CCNA55 min5 objectives

OSPF Inter-Area Summarization with ABR Area Range

Build a 5-node CML lab to design OSPFv2 across two areas with an ABR that summarizes non-backbone routes using area range. Validate adjacencies, end-to-end reachability, and that the backbone learns a single summary in place of specific inter-area routes. Intentionally introduce an area mismatch, diagnose why the adjacency does not form, and repair it.

CCNA & CCNP62 min5 objectives

OSPF MD5 Authentication: Backbone Integrity and Area Mismatch

Deploy OSPFv2 with MD5 authentication on backbone links, deliberately trigger and diagnose an area mismatch adjacency failure, then fix it and restore end-to-end reachability between two branch hosts in a compact three-router topology.

CCNA & CCNP68 min5 objectives

OSPF Multi-Area: ABR Area Mismatch and Route Repair

Build and troubleshoot a compact multi-area OSPF design with a single ABR between area 0 and area 10. You will deploy OSPF, observe an adjacency failure caused by an area mismatch on one transit link, repair it, and validate that routes propagate end to end between two user LANs.

CCNA & CCNP55 min4 objectives

CCNA: OSPF Passive Interfaces & Default Origination

Deploy OSPFv2 across a 3-router, 2-LAN branch/core/edge topology. Mark LAN-facing interfaces as passive so they do not send OSPF hellos or form adjacencies. Originate a default route only from the edge router and verify default propagation end-to-end using real client traffic. Includes realistic troubleshooting around missing adjacencies, non-propagating defaults, and unreachable external destinations.

CCNA70 min5 objectives

OSPFv2: Router IDs, Neighbor States, and Loopback Adjacency

Deploy OSPFv2 across three routers with unique, loopback-derived router-ids. Observe OSPF neighbor state transitions, advertise loopbacks and LANs, and troubleshoot an adjacency failure caused by a duplicate router-id. Validate full end-to-end reachability from client hosts after fixing the issue.

CCNA55 min5 objectives

OSPFv2 Single-Area Fundamentals: Adjacency and Area 0 Basics

Hands-on CCNA beginner lab: build a 3-router chain with end hosts, enable OSPFv2 area 0, form full adjacencies, advertise loopbacks and LANs, verify route propagation end-to-end, and intentionally create then resolve an OSPF area mismatch on a transit segment.

CCNA55 min5 objectives

Free with an account

OSPFv2 Multi-Area Capstone: 3-Rtr Line, Auth, LAN Host Intact

Advanced CCNP OSPFv2 multi-area capstone. Build a three-router line topology with area 10 at the branch, area 0 at the core, and MD5 authentication on the area 0 transit. Advertise all loopbacks and a branch user LAN. Validate end-to-end reachability from the branch host to every router loopback and the core LAN. Includes realistic enterprise management and verification flows.

CCNA & CCNP80 min4 objectives

CCNP: OSPF Backbone & Area Mismatch Recovery

Advanced multi-area OSPF lab with a realistic two-site design and a WAN ABR. You will deploy OSPF with a backbone (area 0) and a non-backbone area, intentionally create an area mismatch on one transit link to observe the failure, then correct it to restore full reachability. The final build demonstrates solid OSPF hygiene and SSH-only management.

CCNP85 min5 objectives