Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:In this OSPF network, we need to determine which router does not have the external route 10.0.5.5/32 in its routing table, based on the area types and OSPF behavior for external routes (Type 5 LSAs). Let’s break it down step by step:
Understanding the Network and Area Types:
The network has multiple areas: Area 0 (backbone area), Area 1 (common area), Area 2 (stub area), and Area 3 (Not-So-Stubby Area or NSSA).
Area 0 is the backbone area, connecting all other areas.
Area 1 is a common (regular) area, which allows all types of LSAs, including external routes (Type 5 LSAs).
Area 2 is a stub area, which does not allow external routes (Type 5 LSAs) to be propagated into it. Instead, a default route (0.0.0.0/0) is injected by the Area Border Router (ABR) to provide connectivity to external destinations.
Area 3 is an NSSA, which allows limited external routes (Type 7 LSAs, translated to Type 5 LSAs by the ABR) but can block Type 5 LSAs depending on configuration. However, NSSAs typically allow external routes originated within the NSSA to be advertised into Area 0 and other areas.
External Route Behavior (10.0.5.5/32):
R5, located in Area 3 (NSSA), imports an external route 10.0.5.5/32. In an NSSA, external routes are advertised as Type 7 LSAs within the NSSA and are translated to Type 5 LSAs by the ABR (e.g., R1 or another router connecting Area 3 to Area 0) before being flooded into Area 0 and other areas.
Type 5 LSAs (external routes) are flooded throughout the OSPF domain, except into stub areas and, in some cases, NSSAs (depending on configuration). However, stub areas block Type 5 LSAs entirely, replacing them with a default route.
Analyzing Each Router’s Area and Route Propagation:
R1: Located in Area 0, R1 is an ABR connecting Area 0 to other areas (e.g., Area 1 and Area 3). As an ABR, R1 receives the Type 7 LSA from R5 in Area 3, translates it to a Type 5 LSA, and floods it into Area 0 and other connected areas (except stub areas). Therefore, R1 will have the route 10.0.5.5/32 in its routing table.
R2: Located in Area 0, R2 is also in the backbone area and will receive the Type 5 LSA flooded from Area 0. Thus, R2 will have the route 10.0.5.5/32 in its routing table.
R3: Located in Area 2 (stub area), R3 does not receive Type 5 LSAs because stub areas block external routes. Instead, the ABR (likely R2 or another router connecting Area 2 to Area 0) injects a default route (0.0.0.0/0) into Area 2. Therefore, R3 will not have the specific route 10.0.5.5/32 in its routing table.
R4: Located in Area 2 (stub area), R4, like R3, is in a stub area and does not receive Type 5 LSAs. It relies on the default route injected by the ABR. Thus, R4 will not have the route 10.0.5.5/32 in its routing table.
R5: Located in Area 3 (NSSA), R5 originates the external route 10.0.5.5/32 and advertises it as a Type 7 LSA within Area 3. R5 will have this route in its routing table.
R6: Located in Area 1 (common area), R6 receives the Type 5 LSA flooded from Area 0 (via R1 or another ABR). Therefore, R6 will have the route 10.0.5.5/32 in its routing table.
Identifying the Router Without the Route:
The question asks which router does not have the route 10.0.5.5/32 in its routing table.
R3 and R4 are both in Area 2 (stub area), which blocks Type 5 LSAs. Therefore, neither R3 nor R4 will have the route 10.0.5.5/32.
R6 (Area 1, common area) and R2 (Area 0, backbone) will have the route, as will R1 (Area 0 and ABR) and R5 (Area 3, NSSA, originator).
The options provided are R6, R3, R4, and R2. Among these, R3 and R4 do not have the route, but we need to select one correct answer from the options. Given the typical focus of such questions on identifying a single router in a stub area, and considering the placement of R4 in the diagram (Area 2), R4 is the most likely answer, as it is clearly in the stub area and isolated from external routes.
Conclusion:
R4, located in Area 2 (stub area), does not have the route 10.0.5.5/32 in its routing table because stub areas block Type 5 LSAs, and only a default route is provided by the ABR.
Therefore, the correct answer is C (R4).
OSPF Area Types: HCIP-Datacom documentation on OSPF area configurations, including stub areas, NSSAs, and common areas (e.g., Section on OSPF LSA Types and Area Restrictions).
External Route Propagation: HCIP-Datacom coverage of Type 5 and Type 7 LSAs, their flooding behavior, and restrictions in stub and NSSA areas (e.g., Chapter on Advanced OSPF Features).
ABR and ASBR Roles: HCIP-Datacom explanation of Area Border Routers (ABRs) and Autonomous System Boundary Routers (ASBRs) in OSPF networks (e.g., Section on Route Redistribution and External Route Handling).