What can influence OSPF cost?

The cost value associated with OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is directly influenced by the bandwidth of the interface. OSPF uses a formula to calculate the cost of a route, which is based on the reference bandwidth (typically 100 Mbps) divided by the bandwidth of the interface in question. This means that faster interfaces will have a lower cost, making them more desirable for routing decisions. For example, a 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) link would have a cost of 0.1, making it preferable over a slower link with a higher cost. Therefore, when considering OSPF cost, it’s critical to look at the bandwidth of the links configured on routers. Other factors like router model, latency, and the IP version do not have a direct role in determining OSPF cost.