How does OSPF prevent inter-area routing loops?

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is designed to create a hierarchical routing structure that increases scalability and enhances efficiency. One of the key features that helps prevent inter-area routing loops is the restriction of routing information exchange between non-backbone areas. In OSPF, the backbone area (Area 0) serves as a central point of communication between other areas. Non-backbone areas must route their traffic through the backbone to reach one another.

By preventing advertisements between non-backbone areas directly, OSPF ensures that routing information cannot create loops that would arise from inconsistent routing updates. Each area maintains its own link-state database, and the backbone area is responsible for disseminating summarized routing information to and from non-backbone areas. This architecture allows OSPF to efficiently manage routing updates while preventing the possibility of loops that could result from direct inter-area exchanges.

The other choices describe behaviors that do not align with OSPF's design principles. Allowing unrestricted advertisement across all areas could lead to loops due to the potential for different areas to have inconsistent information. Merging routing information from all areas into a single table without careful management could also result in ambiguity and routing loops. Establishing a single routing table for all areas would compromise the hierarchical setup that