Q: Is it possible to have a multiple-area Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) configuration in NetScaler?
A: No, NetScaler supports only type 1, type 2, and type 3 link-state advertisement (LSA). It doesn’t support inter area (type 4 LSA) and external link advertisements (type 5 LSA) and that’s why, in NetScaler, OSPF can only be configured for single area. In order to do this, NetScaler uses a third-party software, such as Zebra. OSPF on the NetScaler can be configured using ZebOS. Being that Zebra is a third-party tool, the configuration that is completed on ZebOS is not reflected in the running configuration on NetScaler, but the routes are reflected in the routing table.
Note: NetScaler is planning to integrate ZebOS into the NetScaler command-line interface (CLI) in the upcoming releases.
Example:
#### logging on to ZebOS ####
> vtysh
ZebOS version 6.0.1:092703 (i386-unknown-freebsdelf4.9)
NS#
NS#config t
NS(config)#router ospf 12
NS(config-router)#network 10.14.33.0 0.0.0.255 area 0
NS(config-router)#exit
NS(config)#exit
NS#sh ip route
Codes: C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, B – BGP
O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area
N1 - OSPF NSSA external type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2
E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF external type 2
i - IS-IS, L1 - IS-IS level-1, L2 - IS-IS level-2, ia - IS-IS inter area
* - candidate default
Gateway of last resort is 10.200.0.1 to network 0.0.0.0
K* 0.0.0.0/0 via 10.200.0.1, 1/1
C 10.200.0.0/16 is directly connected, 1/1
C 127.0.0.0/8 is directly connected, lo0
### Configuring the MD5 for the OSPF ###
NS#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
NS(config)#router ospf 12
NS(config-router)#area 12 authentication message-digest
NS(config)#interface 1/1
NS(config-if)#ip ospf message-digest-key 1 md5 nsroot
NS(config-if)#exit
## Redistributing the static routes into OSPF ###
NS(config)#router ospf 12
NS(config-router)#redistribute connected
