OSPFv2 and OSPFv3 implementation differences

A protocol distinction is a protocol category that

  • prevents backward compatibility between OSPFv2 and OSPFv3,

  • requires both OSPF versions to run simultaneously for IPv4 and IPv6 routing, and

  • allows OSPFv2 and OSPFv3 to coexist without interacting with each other.

OSPFv3 additional features

OSPFv3 provides additional features that include:

  • Protocol processing per link.

  • Removal of addressing semantics.

  • Addition of flooding scope.

  • Support for multiple instances per link.

  • Use of the IPv6 link-local address for neighbor discovery and other features.

  • LSAs expressed as prefix and prefix length.

  • Addition of two LSA types.

  • Handling of unknown LSA types.

  • Authentication support using the IPsec ESP standard for OSPFv3 routing protocol traffic, as specified by RFC-4552.