Which algorithm does OSPF utilize for route calculation?

OSPF, or Open Shortest Path First, employs Dijkstra’s Shortest Path First (SPF) algorithm for route calculation. This algorithm is specifically designed for finding the shortest path in a weighted graph, which is essential in determining the most efficient route for data packets across a network.

When OSPF routers exchange link state advertisements (LSAs) to update their routing tables, they use the information from these LSAs to construct a complete view of the network topology. The SPF algorithm then processes this information to compute the shortest paths from the router to all other nodes in the OSPF network. This results in an optimal routing table that minimizes the cost of reaching each destination.

Notably, while the Link State Algorithm refers to the broader methodology OSPF uses, the specificity of Dijkstra's algorithm as the exact computation method distinguishes why it is the correct answer.