Conquer the 2025 CISSP Challenge – Master Your InfoSec Skills with Confidence!

The routing protocol that employs a simple metric like hop count is Distance Vector. This type of protocol determines the best path for data packets based on the distance to the destination. The primary metric used in Distance Vector protocols is the hop count, which counts the number of routers a packet must pass through to reach its destination. This simplicity allows for easy calculation and quick updates in network changes, making it suitable for smaller networks.

In contrast, Link State protocols maintain a complete map of the network and use more complex algorithms and metrics to determine the best path, resulting in a more dynamic but resource-intensive approach. Path Vector protocols, often used in inter-domain routing for managing routes between different autonomous systems, rely on path information rather than just hop count. Interior Gateway Protocols (IGPs) is a broad category that includes both Distance Vector and Link State protocols, but it does not refer to a specific metric system. Hence, Distance Vector is the most fitting choice for employing a simple metric like hop count.