Quick Definition
The value a routing protocol uses to measure the desirability of a route to the same destination.
Within a single routing protocol, the metric determines which route is best when multiple paths exist to the same destination. Different protocols use different metrics: OSPF uses cost (based on bandwidth), RIP uses hop count, EIGRP uses a composite metric (bandwidth + delay by default). The route with the lowest metric wins and is installed in the routing table. If multiple routes have equal metrics, all are installed (equal-cost load balancing).
Metric and Administrative Distance are different. AD chooses between routing sources (OSPF vs static). Metric chooses between routes within the same routing source (two OSPF paths). Do not confuse them.
Within a single routing protocol, the metric determines which route is best when multiple paths exist to the same destination. Different protocols use different metrics: OSPF uses cost (based on bandwidth), RIP uses hop count, EIGRP uses a composite metric (bandwidth + delay by default). The route with the lowest metric wins and is installed in the routing table. If multiple routes have equal metrics, all are installed (equal-cost load balancing).
Metric and Administrative Distance are different. AD chooses between routing sources (OSPF vs static). Metric chooses between routes within the same routing source (two OSPF paths). Do not confuse them.
Metric falls under the Routing domain of the 200-301 exam. Understanding it in context with related terms like administrative-distance and ospf is essential for answering scenario-based questions correctly.