What option gives a device the highest priority in the Dante clock leader election process?

The option that grants a device the highest priority in the Dante clock leader election process is when "Preferred Leader" is checked. In the Dante network architecture, clock synchronization is crucial for maintaining audio quality and reliability. The clock leader is responsible for managing the timing of audio streams across all devices on the network.

When a device has the "Preferred Leader" setting checked, it explicitly indicates that this device should be prioritized during the leader election. It will take precedence over other devices during the decision-making process for which device will act as the clock leader. This ensures that if the preferred device is available and functioning properly, it will lead the clock synchronization, providing a stable reference point for all other devices in the network.

In contrast, options related to external clocks or simply having neither preference checked do not grant the same level of priority as the "Preferred Leader" setting. These settings may influence the election but do not inherently override other devices like a preferred leader does. The key point is that selecting the "Preferred Leader" directly empowers a specific device with the highest priority in the clock leader election process, which is essential for achieving optimal performance in a Dante network.