Update to OSPF Terminology

Introduction This document updates some OSPF terminology to be in line with inclusive language used in the industry. This document updates and .

Update to RFC2328 The base OSPFv2 specification defines the synchronization of databases as two routers froming a "master/slave relationship". All instances of these terms are replaced by leader/follower, respectively. The Master (MS) bit in the database description packet is renamed the Leader (L) bit. The operation of OSPFv2 is not modified. The Leader/Follower terminology and Leader (L) Bit definition changes impact the following sections: 7.2 "The Synchronization of Databases", 10 "The Neighbor Data Structures", 10.1 "Neighbor states", 10.2 "Events causing neighbor state changes", 10.6 "Receiving Database Description Packets", 10.8 "Sending Database Description Packets", 10.10 "An Example", and A.3.3 "The Database Description packet".

Update to RFC5340 The base OSPFv3 specification defines the database description process between two routers as one being "designated to be the master and the other is the slave". All instances of these terms are replaced by leader/follower, respectively. The Master/Slave (MS) bit in the database description packet is renamed the Leader (L) bit. The operation of OSPFv3 is not modified. The Leader/Follower terminology and Leader (L) Bit definition changes impact section A.3.3 "The Database Description packet".

Other RFCs With References The following OSPF RFCs also have references to the legacy terminology.

RFC 4222 - Prioritized Treatment of Specific OSPF Version 2 Packets and Congestion Avoidance (BCP)
RFC 5243 - OSPF Database Exchange Summary List Optimization (Informational)
RFC 4811 - OSPF Out-of-Band Link State Database (LSDB) Resynchronization (Experimental)
RFC 5243 - OSPF Database Exchange Summary List Optimization (Informational)
RFC 5614 - Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) Extension of OSPF Using Connected Dominating Set (CDS) Flooding (Experimental)
RFC 5838 - Support of Address Families in OSPFv3 (Standards Track)

Some of these will be updated by this document. The final set is TBD.

Acknowledgements TDB

IANA Considerations IANA is requested to rename bit 0x01 in the "Database Description (DD) Packet Flags" registry to "Leader (L-bit)" and to add a reference to this document.

Security Considerations This document updates the terminology used in OSPFv2 and OSPFv3 without any modification to the specification of the protocol. As such, the security characteristics of OSPF do not change.