The routing algorithm uses certain variables to create a metric of a path. It is the metric that is actually used for path determination. Variables that are used to create a metric of a path are as follows: Hop count: It is the total number of routers that a data packet goes through to reach its destination. Cost: It is determined by the administrator or calculated by the router. Bandwidth: It is defined as the bandwidth that the link provides. Maximum transmission unit (MTU): It is the largest message size that a link can route. Load: It states the amount of work the CPU has to perform and the number of packets the CPU needs to analyze and make calculations on.