What does a router choose when learning about a network from multiple sources?

A router uses a process called path selection to determine the best route to a destination when multiple sources provide route information. In this context, the router evaluates the various paths based on a set of metrics and criteria.

One crucial factor in this decision-making process is the Administrative Distance (AD). When a router learns about routes through different protocols (for example, OSPF, BGP, or static routes), it assigns a numerical value known as Administrative Distance to each protocol. The lower the number, the more trustworthy the source is considered. Therefore, when a router encounters multiple routes to the same destination, it will always prefer the route that has the lowest Administrative Distance.

While there are cases where static routes can take precedence due to their low Administrative Distance, it is not universally true that a router defaults to static routes in every situation. Therefore, understanding that the router prioritizes paths based on Administrative Distance is crucial, making it clear why choosing the option with the highest Administrative Distance is the correct interpretation in this context.