Evaluating the Impact of Hello Interval Timer on OSPF Performance for Real-Time Applications Using OPNET

Abstract: In modern communication networks, various routing protocols differ in architecture, adaptability, processing delays, and convergence capabilities. For real-time applications, where nodes are often distributed randomly, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) stands out as a widely adopted dynamic routing protocol due to its efficient dissemination of network topology information. The performance of OSPF in such scenarios heavily depends on parameters like convergence time, bandwidth utilization, and scalability. One critical parameter, the Hello Interval timer, influences the speed and stability of OSPF neighbor discovery and maintenance. This paper evaluates the impact of modifying the Hello Interval timer on OSPF protocol performance in real-time application environments. Simulations are conducted using OPNET Modeler 14.5 to analyze how different Hello Interval settings affect network convergence and reliability.