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Link state routing protocols are designed to maintain a comprehensive and accurate view of the network topology, allowing routers to make informed routing decisions. This is accomplished by each router in the network independently discovering its neighbors and measuring the cost (or metrics) to reach them, and then disseminating this information to all other routers in the network. This creates a complete map of the network that is then used for making routing decisions.

The use of additional metrics is central to the functioning of link state protocols, as they allow for more dynamic and efficient routing as conditions change in the network. For example, link state protocols can consider not only the number of hops to a destination but also factors such as bandwidth, delay, and reliability, which results in optimized route selection.

The implications of the other options help to clarify why they don't accurately describe link state protocols. Protocols that use the distance vector approach rely on routers sharing their distance to a destination based on the information from their neighbors without a complete view of the entire network, which contrasts with the comprehensive strategy utilized by link state protocols. Similarly, link state protocols do not require periodic updates; instead, they use a mechanism whereby changes in the network are propagated immediately, promoting rapid convergence. Finally, while link state protocols operate