What is the second criterion in FortiGate's route selection process?

In FortiGate's route selection process, the second criterion is the lowest distance. This refers to the administrative distance, which is a value that represents the trustworthiness of a route. In routing protocols, the lower the distance, the more preferred that route is by the device. When multiple routes to the same destination exist, FortiGate evaluates these routes based on their administrative distances, preferring routes that have a lower distance value.

The selection process begins with evaluating potential routes for the same destination based on factors like the routing protocol used and the inherent metric associated with that route. Once it determines the metric, the distance provides a secondary layer of assurance for deciding which route to use. This two-tiered approach allows FortiGate devices to reliably choose the best path, ensuring optimal routing performance and network reliability.

Understanding this criterion is crucial for network administrators as it affects how routing decisions are made, impacting overall network functionality and performance.