What is the default metric for static routes in Junos OS?

In Junos OS, the default metric for static routes is set to 5. This metric is used to prioritize routing decisions, where lower metric values indicate higher preference for a route. When multiple routes to the same destination exist, the router will prefer the route with the lowest metric.

Static routes are typically employed to provide a direct path to a specific destination when dynamic routing protocols do not need to be used. By assigning a default metric of 5, Junos OS allows static routes to have a reasonable preference over many other routes, especially those that have been automatically learned via dynamic routing protocols.

The default metric plays a crucial role in ensuring that static routes are efficiently utilized without causing routing loops or unnecessary complexity in your routing table. Understanding this concept is vital for effective route management and optimization in networking.