What type of address is used by multicast protocols like OSPF?

Multicast protocols like OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) utilize multicast addresses to send routing updates and information to multiple routers simultaneously. A multicast address is specifically designed to allow a single packet to be sent to a group of devices that are part of a multicast group, rather than sending individual packets to each device.

In the case of OSPF, it uses a specific multicast address – 224.0.0.5 for OSPF routers (designated routers) and 224.0.0.6 for OSPF designated routers in a multi-access network. This enables efficient communication across the network by reducing the number of required transmissions. By using multicast addresses, OSPF can effectively disseminate routing information only to those routers that need it, improving bandwidth utilization and reducing overall network traffic.

Private and public addresses, on the other hand, are primarily used for addressing individual devices and are not suited for the group communication model that multicast addresses provide. Unicast addresses are designed for one-to-one communication, meaning they send data to a single specific recipient, which does not fit the needs of multicast protocols like OSPF. Thus, the use of multicast addresses is essential for the proper functioning of multicast protocols, making this