Dynamic adaptation of OSPF interface metrics based on network load

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a routing protocol that helps to improve the performance of networks by calculating the shortest path from a packet start point to each possible destination. This is achieved by assigning costs to each hop in the network, usually based on the speed of the interface between each router, although other metrics may also be used. This paper describes the development of an algorithm and control mechanism to automatically and dynamically modify OSPF interface costs on Mikrotik routers based upon the amount of traffic flowing through a path, rather than the absolute shortest path.