# How to Setup OSPF between Multiple SonicWalls within the Same Area

## Description

This article describes the process of setting up two or more SonicWalls to distribute OSPF information within the same Area.

### Resolution for SonicOS 6.5

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.2 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 6.5 firmware.

**1.** Login to the SonicWall Management GUI and Navigate to **Manage | Network | Routing | Settings**.

**2.** Under **Routing Mode**, set the drop down menu to **Advanced Routing**. Navigate to **Manage | Network | Routing | OSPFv2**. Open the Configure OSPF menu for the Interface with the relevant Routes or Networks to be distributed.

**3.** On the pop-up window, set **OSPFv2** to **Enabled** and input the following information: **Dead Interval**, **Hello Interval**, and **OSPF Area**. All this information must match across all the SonicWalls or the Routes and Networks will not be distributed.

**4.** Each SonicWall must also have a unique **Router ID**, which is typically the Interface IP Address. However you can set it to any local, unused IP Address.

Navigate to **Manage | Network | Routing | OSPFv2** and then click on the settings icon to enter all that information.

**5.** Set the **ABR Type** to **Cisco**.

**6.** Finally, select which, if any, of the relevant options will be redistributed: **Static Routes**, **Connected Networks**, **RIP Routes**, and **Remote VPN Networks**.

Once the configuration on all the Area devices is complete you can set the Metric for Routes learned via the Advanced Routing protocols. To do so navigate to **Manage | Network | Routing | OSPFv2** and click on the settings icon and edit the **Apply the following metric to default routes received from Advanced Routing protocols** field. The default value is 110.

After everything is configured you will see OSPF Neighbor Status on **Manage | Network | Routing | OSPFv2**. A Green bubble indicates that the neighbors are able to communicate, a Red bubble indicates a failure. You can check the SonicWall's Logs under **Investigate | Event Logs** for more information about failed peering.

### Resolution for SonicOS 6.2 and Below

The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 6.2 and earlier firmware. For firewalls that are generation 6 and newer we suggest to [upgrade to the latest general release](/content/support/knowledge-base/how-to-upgrade-sonicos-firmware/170504337655458/ "upgrade to the latest general release"/index.html) of SonicOS 6.5 firmware.

**1.** Login to the SonicWall Management GUI and Navigate to **Network | Routing**.

**2.** Under **Routing Mode**, set the drop down menu to **Advanced Routing**. Open the Configure OSPF menu for the Interface with the relevant Routes or Networks to be distributed.

**5.** Set the **ABR Type** to **Cisco**.

Once the configuration on all the Area devices is complete you can set the Metric for Routes learned via the Advanced Routing protocols. To do so navigate to **Network | Routing** and edit the **Apply the following metric to default routes received from Advanced Routing protocols** field. The default value is 110.

After everything is configured you will see OSPF Neighbor Status on **Network | Routing**. A Green bubble indicates that the neighbors are able to communicate, a Red bubble indicates a failure. You can check the SonicWall's Logs under **Logs | Log Monitor** for more information about failed peering.