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7
OSPF LSA Type 7

LSA Type 7 — NSSA External LSA

Local gossip, with an export policy.

01Plain English

The simple explanation

An ASBR inside an NSSA can introduce external routes without filling the area with Type 5 LSAs.

02Under the hood

The technical explanation

Type 7 LSAs flood within their NSSA. An elected or configured NSSA translator can translate eligible Type 7 LSAs into Type 5 LSAs for distribution beyond it. Translation depends on protocol conditions and policy; it is not a rule that every Type 7 becomes a Type 5.

Protocol reference: RFC 2328 (OSPFv2). NSSA reference: RFC 3101.

Meme
logic
Make it stick

The local correspondent whose story needs approval before the international edition.

03On the wire

Example

A branch NSSA redistributes a local external route. The NSSA carries Type 7 information; a qualifying translated Type 5 advertises it outside.