This read-create integer sets the actual metric value used with csMplsPathMetricMode; in absolute mode the administrator enters a positive value representing the tunnel's outright cost, while in relative mode a positive, negative, or zero value can be entered to adjust the cost relative to the native IGP path. It directly influences whether the IGP's enhanced SPF calculation prefers routing traffic over this tunnel versus the native path. An administrator using relative mode might set csMplsPathMetricValue to -5 so the tunnel is preferred slightly over the equivalent native-routed path.