Chapter 4 - RouteFinder Software
MTASR3
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This dialog box allows you to set up the RouteFinder as an Autonomous System Border Router; also
included here are the message printing controls and buttons that open Area Setup and OSPF Port
Setup dialog boxes.
Selecting Autonomous System Border Router enables the RouteFinder as an AS (Autonomous
System) border router, capable of exchanging routing information with routers in other Autonomous
Systems. The AS border router then advertises external routes throughout its Autonomous system.
Items in the Message Printing Controls group are generally left unselected (unchecked) to maintain
a high level of router performance. The Routing Table refers to the tables internal to each IP or IPX
router on the network that maintain information on how to reach known networks and the cost (or hop)
of reaching the network. The routing table has information that specifies the outgoing port a packet
should be put on to reach the destination network addressed in the packet. Routers use some
protocol (usually RIP) to broadcast their routing tables on the internetwork. Routers receiving such
broadcasts, update their tables to construct and maintain a full picture of all networks on the
internetwork of LANs.
The Areas button opens a dialog box that enables you to configure various parameters for OSPF
areas. For example, you can add or delete areas or edit the parameters for an existing area. An Area
ID does not have to coincide with an IP address or an IP network ID; however, the Area ID 0.0.0.0 is
reserved for the backbone. If the area represents a subnetted network, the IP network number of the
subnetted network can be used for the Area ID. Areas can be designated as Stub Areas, in which
case Autonomous System external advertisements will not be flooded into or through them.
Furthermore, if the RouteFinder is a border router to the stub area, the stub metric indicates the cost
of the default summary link that the Routefinder advertises into the area.
The Ports button opens an OSPF Port Setup dialog box that enables you to enter various
parameters related to the ports. Examples include the Area ID for the area to which the port is
connected, the router Priority, the Cost of sending a packet out of the port, Transmit and Retransmit
delays, and the Dead Interval. For further information, refer to the on-line Help.
The Virtual Interface button opens a Virtual Interfaces dialog box where you can add, delete, or edit
virtual interfaces. Virtual Interface entries will consist of Transit Area ID numbers and Virtual Neighbor
Router ID numbers; the Transmit Delay, Hello Interval, Retransmit Interval, and Dead Interval (all, in
seconds) can be specified, and Authentication keys and Key IDs can be used.
