In the link-state routing process, what does a router do to share information about directly connected links?

In the link-state routing process, the primary method through which a router shares information about its directly connected links is to flood link-state advertisements (LSAs). This process ensures that all routers within the network receive consistent information about the topology.

When a router detects a change in its locally connected links, such as when an interface comes up or down, it generates a link-state advertisement. This advertisement contains information about the router’s state and its directly connected links. The router then floods this information to all other routers in the network. Flooding is a reliable method to ensure that every router has the same up-to-date view of the network topology, allowing them to make accurate routing decisions.

This sharing of information distinguishes link-state protocols, like OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), from distance-vector protocols, which rely on periodic updates and do not share complete topology information with all routers. By flooding LSAs, link-state protocols maintain a comprehensive understanding of the entire network, promoting efficient routing and reliable communication.