CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

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Prepare for the CompTIA Network+ Exam with interactive quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Enhance your networking knowledge and ace your certification test with confidence!

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What is OSPF classified as?

A common exterior gateway protocol
An interior gateway protocol
A type of network cable
A link-state routing protocol for WANs

The correct answer is: An interior gateway protocol

OSPF, or Open Shortest Path First, is classified as an interior gateway protocol (IGP). It is designed to operate within a single autonomous system, which is a group of networks under the control of one organization. By contrast, exterior gateway protocols (EGPs) operate between different autonomous systems. OSPF uses a link-state routing algorithm, which enables routers within the network to maintain a complete view of the network topology, enhancing their ability to make efficient routing decisions based on the current state of the network. The classification as an interior gateway protocol is significant because it indicates OSPF's primary function of managing routing within a singular domain, ensuring quick convergence and optimized routing paths. While OSPF is indeed a link-state routing protocol, which is more specific to how it operates, its broader classification as an IGP is important for understanding its purpose in network design and operation. The other options do not accurately reflect OSPF's primary characteristics and intended use within network architectures.