# OSPF Area Settings

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. Once an area is created, you can assign interfaces to the area and specify summarized addresses for the networks within the area.

### To Configure Area Settings

1. Enter the necessary information:

Area Range: You can summarize a range of addresses into a single address to describe the routes within the area. This section defines the summarized IP address and indicates whether or not it should be advertised to other areas.

IP/Netmask: Enter the summarized IP address and netmask of the group of subnets that can be advertised to other areas.

Type: Indicate whether to advertise or withhold the area range defined. Select either Advertise or No Advertise.

Action: Click Add to add the summarized address.

Metric Default Route: Specifies the metric (cost) for the summarized default route advertisement.

Bound Interface: Select an interface in the Available Interface(s) column and click Add to move the interface to the Selected Interface(s) column.

2. Click OK to save the configuration and return to the OSPF Areas List page. Click Apply to continue configuring the area.