Which aspect differentiates a Link State protocol from a Distance Vector protocol?

A Link State protocol is distinguished from a Distance Vector protocol primarily through its route advertisement methodology. In a Link State protocol, each router builds a complete picture of the network topology by sharing information about its own links and their states with all other routers in the network. This means every router maintains a uniform view of the network, allowing for more efficient and accurate path calculations.

Conversely, Distance Vector protocols rely on routers sharing their routing table information with directly connected neighbors, which means routers only have information about the distances to networks but not the entire network topology. This can lead to slower convergence and the potential for routing loops, as routers make decisions based on limited information.

The other factors, such as protocol speed, authentication methods, and metric calculation, may differ between specific protocols, but they are not the primary characteristic that defines the distinction between Link State and Distance Vector protocols. Thus, it is the route advertisement methodology that fundamentally differentiates how these two types of routing protocols operate within a network.