After a rushed township annexation, a water utility finds two Area 0 fragments separated by a non-backbone area. What is the sound design takeaway before considering a virtual link?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Area 0 is the town square—everyone’s roads should meet there. When annexation splits the square in two, a virtual link is duct tape across the alley, not a new city plan. Fix the backbone so it’s contiguous again.
Full Explanation
OSPF requires a contiguous backbone; partitioned Area 0 breaks normal inter-area path computation. Virtual links can temporarily stitch backbone fragments through a transit non-backbone area, but they add operational complexity and are not preferred greenfield design. Redesign for contiguous Area 0 (or redesign areas) rather than institutionalizing virtual links. Totally stubby conversion does not heal a split backbone.