Final answer:
Routers determine the most efficient routing paths using metrics such as hop count, bandwidth, and latency. These routing metrics help optimize the network's performance by considering factors such as the number of hops, available bandwidth, and data transmission delay.
Step-by-step explanation:
Routers use various routing metrics to determine the best path for data to travel across a network. Three common examples of routing metrics are:
- Hop count: This metric counts the number of intermediate devices, such as routers, a packet must pass through to reach its destination. A lower hop count generally means a shorter and possibly faster route.
- Bandwidth: Bandwidth measures the maximum amount of data that can be transferred over a specific link. A route with higher bandwidth is typically preferable as it can handle more data traffic, leading to better network performance.
- Latency: Latency refers to the delay that data experiences as it travels from source to destination. Lower latency indicates a faster connection, making it a desirable metric for routing.
These metrics can be used individually or in combination to select the most efficient path for data transmission, enhancing the network's overall performance.