# OSPF Areas

OSPF allows networks to be grouped together logically or geographically by the use of areas. Areas reduce the amount of routing information exchanged throughout the network because a router only maintains a link-state database for the area in which it resides.

### To Create an OSPF Area

1. Enter the necessary information:

Area ID: Enter a value that identifies the OSPF area you want to create.

Type: From the drop-down list, select the type of area you are creating:

normal: A normal OSPF area.

stub: An area that receives route summaries from the backbone, but does not receive link-state advertisements from other areas for routes learned through non-OSPF sources.

nssa: Similar to a stub area, except that a Not So Stubby Area (NSSA) can receive external routes learned within the area. NSSAs do not receive external routes from other areas.

Route Import: Indicates the type of routes allowed to enter the OSPF domain using currently configured redistribution rules.

2. Click Add to save the settings.

### To Configure Area Settings

To bind interfaces to an area, click Configure in the Action column of the area you want to configure. For more information, see OSPF Area Settings.

### To Modify an Area's Type

To change an area's type, click Change Type in the Action column of the area you want to change. For more information, see OSPF Area Type.

## Other Configurations

From this page, you can perform the following configurations:

### To Configure Basic OSPF Parameters

To configure basic OSPF parameters, see OSPF Virtual Router Settings.

### To Summarize Imported Routes into an OSPF Domain

To summarize imported routes into an OSPF domain, see OSPF Summary Route Importation.

### To Configure Redistribution Rules for an OSPF Virtual Routing Instance

To configure OSPF redistribution rules, see OSPF Redistribution Rules.

### To Configure an OSPF Virtual Link

To configure virtual links, see OSPF Virtual Links.