In route selection, does a router prefer a lower or higher metric?

In route selection, a router prefers a lower metric because metrics are used to determine the cost associated with a particular route. The metric can represent various factors such as hop count, bandwidth, delay, or other measurements depending on the routing protocol in use. A lower metric generally indicates a more efficient or preferred path to a destination, making it the choice for the router when comparing multiple routes.

For instance, in protocols like RIP (Routing Information Protocol), the route with the fewest hops (lower hop count) is preferred. Conversely, in OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), the path with the highest bandwidth and the lowest cost is chosen. Thus, the principle behind route selection across different protocols remains consistent: the routes with lower metrics are favored as they suggest a path that is less costly in terms of factors that impact network performance.