Which dynamic routing protocol calculates its metric using bandwidth and delay among other factors?

The correct answer is based on the characteristic features of EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol). EIGRP uses a unique metric calculation that takes into account several factors, primarily bandwidth and delay, but also load, reliability, and MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit). This allows EIGRP to assess the "cost" of a route more accurately than protocols that rely on simpler metrics.

The inclusion of multiple factors in its metric calculation enables EIGRP to adapt more efficiently to network conditions. For example, a route may have a higher bandwidth but suffer from higher delay due to network congestion, and EIGRP can weigh these factors to determine the best path for data to travel.

In contrast, other protocols, such as RIP (Routing Information Protocol), rely solely on hop count as their metric, making it less flexible in adapting to different types of network conditions. OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) utilizes a different approach, employing cost based mainly on bandwidth but without considering delay and other factors in the same comprehensive manner as EIGRP. IS-IS (Intermediate System to Intermediate System) is similar to OSPF, based largely on cost derived from bandwidth, but again does not incorporate the additional metrics used by EIGRP.