This read-write INTEGER (0..15), whose default is derived from the metric in the received update per the source description, specifies the metric used for the default route entry in RIP updates originated on this interface, with a value of zero meaning no default route should be originated (allowing one learned from elsewhere to propagate instead). Admins set this to a specific nonzero hop count on an interface designated to be the source of the network's default route, controlling how attractive that default route appears relative to alternatives. For example, setting this to 1 on the interface facing the internet gateway would advertise the default route with the best possible RIP metric to encourage its use.