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Routing & Switching · Intermediate

OSPF Path Selection Order

OSPF prefers intra-area over inter-area over E1/N1 over E2/N2 routes for the same prefix, before comparing cost.

Definition

Route type is evaluated first; cost only breaks ties within the same type. Therefore an intra-area route with cost 1000 beats an inter-area route with cost 10. This ordering can cause suboptimal routing when the same prefix enters via different types.

Example

An O 10.5.0.0/16 cost 200 is installed over an O IA 10.5.0.0/16 cost 20.

Exam tip

Do not compare costs across OSPF route types; type wins first.

Related terms