• EIGRP selects routes by comparing numerical values called metrics.
    The path with the lowest metric is considered the best path and becomes the successor.

    EIGRP does not rely on a single parameter. It uses a composite metric calculated from a mathematical formula.

    You are not expected to memorize the formula for the CCNP exam.
    However, you must understand:

    • Which parameters are involved

    • How they influence the metric

    • How they behave across the network

    EIGRP basic topology showing multiple paths between routers R1, R2, R3 and R4

    Figure 1 – Basic EIGRP topology

    EIGRP Metric Weights (K-Values)

    When EIGRP is enabled, you can verify the metric weights:

    R1# show ip protocols 
Routing Protocol is "eigrp 1"
  Outgoing update filter list for all interfaces is not set
  Incoming update filter list for all interfaces is not set
  Default networks flagged in outgoing updates
  Default networks accepted from incoming updates
  EIGRP metric weight K1=1, K2=0, K3=1, K4=0, K5=0

    EIGRP defines five metric weights called K-values:

    • K1: Bandwidth

    • K2: Load

    • K3: Delay

    • K4: Reliability

    • K5: Reliability

    Each K-value determines whether a specific component is included in the metric calculation and how it influences the final result.

    By default:

    • K1 = 1

    • K3 = 1

    • K2, K4, K5 = 0

    This means that, in a standard production network, only bandwidth and delay are used to calculate the metric.
    Load and reliability exist in the formula but are not considered unless the K-values are manually modified, which must be consistent across all EIGRP routers.

    Answer the question below

    Which K-value represents bandwidth?