What does route priority determine in Google Cloud VPC routes?

In Google Cloud VPC, route priority is crucial for determining which route to use when there are multiple applicable routes for a particular destination. When a packet needs to be routed, the network evaluates all available routes to that destination and must select one based on their priorities. Higher priority routes take precedence over lower priority ones. This is essential for ensuring that the traffic is directed efficiently and reaches its intended destination via the most preferred path.

Understanding route priority helps network engineers manage traffic flow effectively, optimizing the overall performance and reliability of the network. It is particularly important in complex networking environments where multiple paths could lead to the same endpoint; in such cases, configuring priorities allows for better control over network behavior, which is critical for both performance and reliability.