What is OSPF protocol?

Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) is a link-state routing protocol, rather than a distance vector protocol. The main difference here is that a linked-state protocol does not send its routing table in the form of updates, but only shared its connectivity configuration. By collecting connectivity information from all of the devices on the network, OSPF can store all this information in a database and use that information to build a topology map.

OSPF is open standard routing Protocol.

uses the concept of Autonmous System (Process) and Areas.

Has Unlimited Hop Count.

Uses Cost as metric.

Advertise LSA's to update routing information.

sends Prefix and prefix lenght in routing updates.

Form neighborship on same subnet, same area, with routers having same hello and dead timer basically.

maintains3 types of tables for routing information.

and its alot to talk about in OSPF in Detail.