How is the administrative distance relevant to routing protocols?

The administrative distance is crucial in routing protocols as it indicates the reliability of a routing protocol's route. When a router receives route information from multiple sources, it needs a way to decide which source is more trustworthy. This is where administrative distance comes into play. Each routing protocol is assigned a default administrative distance value, which reflects how reliable a route learned from that protocol is considered to be. For example, a route learned from a direct connection has a lower administrative distance compared to a route learned from a static route or a dynamic routing protocol like RIP or OSPF. This hierarchical approach allows routers to select the best route to a destination based on the perceived reliability of the information rather than just the protocol’s speed or capabilities. Thus, administrative distance helps maintain efficiency and accuracy in the routing process by favoring more reliable routes when multiple options are available.