Introduction to OER (Optimized Edge Routing)

Hello Dominique

The two statements are referring to two separate situations. The first is referring to the use of OSPF without CEF. That is, OSPF using only process switching. This uses the CPU for all routing decisions. Under these circumstances, ECLB is achieved for OSPF.

The second situation involves a router that has CEF enabled. What is being said here is essentially that the mechanism for sending packets over multiple paths to their destinations is different. Various terms are used interchangeably, such as load balancing and load sharing, even within Cisco documentation. However, strictly speaking, when CEF is enabled, the mechanism it uses to send packets over multiple paths is load sharing. It uses algorithms that share the load (based on flows, or specific source and destination addresses) but not necessarily equally like it would with OSPF without CEF.

The following documentaiton may be helpful in further clearing this up. However, be aware of how the terms load balancing and load sharing are used.

I hope this has been helpful!

Laz

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