OSPF Domain without Area 0

[Prajesh Mathur]

Hi,

Can we have any network with OSPF as a routing protocol with multiple areas without Area 0 (backbone) area ??

[Yasir Ashfaque]

I think answer is very simple, in this way you can make connectivity in 1 Area, will not have access to another areas.

[sean_evershed]

I'm curious as to why you would want to do that? Please refer to the RFC for OSPF: http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2328.html

 3.1.  The backbone of the Autonomous System

        The OSPF backbone is the special OSPF Area 0 (often written as
        Area 0.0.0.0, since OSPF Area ID's are typically formatted as IP
        addresses). The OSPF backbone always contains all area border
        routers. The backbone is responsible for distributing routing
        information between non-backbone areas. The backbone must be
        contiguous. However, it need not be physically contiguous;
        backbone connectivity can be established/maintained through the
        configuration of virtual links.

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[Amit Singh]

As pointed by everyone, you cannot have an OSPF domain without Area 0. You have to have Area 0 for OSPF to function as per the RFC design.You can try configuring that but you will end with inconsistent routes and no traffic controls with troubleshooting nightmares.

-as