What type of metrics do Distance Vector protocols usually employ?

Distance Vector protocols primarily use hop count as their metric to determine the best path to a network destination. Hop count measures the number of routers (or hops) data must pass through to reach its destination. The protocol selects the path with the fewest hops, making it a straightforward metric that is easy to calculate and use.

In addition to hop count, some Distance Vector protocols may consider bandwidth in certain scenarios, but hop count remains the fundamental metric. Bandwidth is generally more relevant to Link State protocols, which consider link capacity to determine the best paths.

Understanding the simplicity of hop count in Distance Vector protocols is crucial because it illustrates how these protocols operate and make routing decisions. The reliance on a single metric like hop count makes Distance Vector protocols less complex than those using multiple or more complex metrics.