Routing And Switching Questions Medium
A default gateway is a device or a router that serves as an entry point for network traffic from devices within a local network to reach devices in other networks or the internet. It acts as a bridge between the local network and external networks.
The default gateway is important in networking because it enables communication between different networks. When a device wants to communicate with a device in another network, it sends the data packets to the default gateway. The default gateway then forwards the packets to the appropriate destination network based on the destination IP address.
Without a default gateway, devices within a local network would only be able to communicate with other devices within the same network. The default gateway allows for connectivity to external networks, such as the internet, by providing a path for data to travel outside the local network.
In summary, the default gateway plays a crucial role in networking by facilitating communication between different networks and enabling devices within a local network to access external networks.