A method in a network element for synchronizing dynamic open shortest path first, OSPF, data between an active OSPF instance and a backup OSPF instance, the method comprising the steps of: determining that a first dynamic OSPF data synchronization event has occurred at the active OSPF instance; determining a first set of OSPF synchronization data based on a subset of dynamic OSPF data in the active OSPF instance, wherein the subset of dynamic OSPF data is data that needs synchronization to the backup OSPF instance; communicating the first set of OSPF synchronization data from the active OSPF instance to the backup OSPF instance; receiving the first set of OSPF synchronization data at the backup OSPF instance, characterized by comprising the steps of: determining whether a data structure exists in the backup OSPF instance, wherein the data structure is required for the synchronization of the subset of dynamic OSPF data; responsive to the data structure existing, adding the subset of dynamic OSPF data to the data structure; responsive to the data structure not existing, performing the steps of, returning a negative acknowledgement, NACK, to the active OSPF instance to indicate dynamic OSPF data synchronization failed, and clearing dynamic OSPF data from the backup OSPF instance; and responsive to receiving the NACK at the active OSPF instance, performing the steps of, determining that a second dynamic OSPF data synchronization event has occurred, wherein the second dynamic OSPF data synchronization event is the receipt of the NACK, determining a second set of OSPF synchronization data based on dynamic OSPF data in the active OSPF instance, and communicating the second set of OSPF synchronization data to the backup OSPF instance. determining that a first dynamic OSPF data synchronization event has occurred at the active OSPF instance; determining a first set of OSPF synchronization data based on a subset of dynamic OSPF data in the active OSPF instance, wherein the subset of dynamic OSPF data is data that needs synchronization to the backup OSPF instance; communicating the first set of OSPF synchronization data from the active OSPF instance to the backup OSPF instance; receiving the first set of OSPF synchronization data at the backup OSPF instance, characterized by comprising the steps of: determining whether a data structure exists in the backup OSPF instance, wherein the data structure is required for the synchronization of the subset of dynamic OSPF data; responsive to the data structure existing, adding the subset of dynamic OSPF data to the data structure; responsive to the data structure not existing, performing the steps of, returning a negative acknowledgement, NACK, to the active OSPF instance to indicate dynamic OSPF data synchronization failed, and clearing dynamic OSPF data from the backup OSPF instance; and responsive to receiving the NACK at the active OSPF instance, performing the steps of, determining that a second dynamic OSPF data synchronization event has occurred, wherein the second dynamic OSPF data synchronization event is the receipt of the NACK, determining a second set of OSPF synchronization data based on dynamic OSPF data in the active OSPF instance, and communicating the second set of OSPF synchronization data to the backup OSPF instance. determining whether a data structure exists in the backup OSPF instance, wherein the data structure is required for the synchronization of the subset of dynamic OSPF data; responsive to the data structure existing, adding the subset of dynamic OSPF data to the data structure; responsive to the data structure not existing, performing the steps of, returning a negative acknowledgement, NACK, to the active OSPF instance to indicate dynamic OSPF data synchronization failed, and clearing dynamic OSPF data from the backup OSPF instance; and responsive to receiving the NACK at the active OSPF instance, performing the steps of, determining that a second dynamic OSPF data synchronization event has occurred, wherein the second dynamic OSPF data synchronization event is the receipt of the NACK, determining a second set of OSPF synchronization data based on dynamic OSPF data in the active OSPF instance, and communicating the second set of OSPF synchronization data to the backup OSPF instance.